Comparative analysis of Cofer's and Staples's essays on racial and ethnic identity

¶ … Judith Cofer (Myth of the Latin women) and Brent Staples (Black men in public spaces)

To Fight or Not

There are a number of eminent similarities between the essays of Judith Coffer and Brent Staples, "The Myth of the Latin Woman," and "Black Men in Public Spaces." Both essays are written by members of historical minority groups -- Cofer is Puerto Rican and Staples is African-American -- and address inherent issues that pertain to their race and treatment from those outside of their race in America. Specifically, these authors address the issue of stereotypes that they regularly endure during various encounters in their lives. The stereotypes themselves are not particularly remarkable; as a Latina Cofer is alternatively treated like a whore or a domestic, while Staples is the proverbial goon. Yet the primary distinction between both of these essays lies in the way that the authors have chosen to respond to such ignorant treatment. Cofer makes a point to dedicate her career and much of her life to fighting such stereotypes, while Staples has simply acquiesced to such treatment by delicately seeking means to assuage those who stereotype him. Doing so allows the former to remain true to her identity, whereas Staples' method simply emasculates him and forsakes his identity.

After reading Cofer's essay, no one can doubt her conviction to oppose stereotypes. The author states this notion unequivocally in the following quotation.

My personal goal in my public life is to try to replace the old pervasive stereotypes and myths about Latinas with a much more interesting set of realities. Every time I give a reading, I hope the stories I tell, the dreams and fears I examine in my work, can achieve some universal truths which will get my audience past the particulars of my skin color, my accent, or my clothes (Cofer).

What is of primary importance about this quotation, however, is not just the author's dedication to this lifelong cause, but the intrinsic effect that taking up such a cause has on her identity. By choosing to dispel stereotypical notions of her and others like her, Cofer is reaffirming and redefining her identity as a Latin American. By replacing such "myths about Latinas" she is confirming her identity as one, and shaping the public perception of that identity. In doing so, she is undoubtedly preserving her conception of herself and her people.

Staples, for his part, is not fighting the stereotypes that follow him as being a threatening influence. Instead, he has simply accepted them and attempts to only ameliorate those who may fell threatened, which the following quotation indicates.

…on late-evening constitutionals along streets less traveled by, I employ what has proved to be an excellent tension-reducing measure: I whistle melodies from Beethoven and Vivaldi and the more popular classical composers. Even steely New Yorkers hunching toward nighttime destinations seem to relax… (Staples).

The problem with this sort of remedy, however, is the loss of identity that such a solution provides. Staples" tactics are essentially akin to the ancient African-American notion of "the pass," in which certain individuals who were light-skinned enough could simply pass for Caucasians. By whistling tunes from noted composers -- all of whom are European -- the author is definitely forsaking his own culture, his own heritage, the works of African-American songwriters and composers, and ultimately his own identity. He is attempting to 'fit in', to act as Caucasian as the Caucasian's who are afraid of him, and in doing so forsaking his identity.