In Kiese Laymon “How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America” and Brent Staples “Black Men and Public Spaces” both essays deal with the being an African American man but the authors respond in different ways. At one point in history being an African American wasn't always the easiest thing, but two authors shared their stories about experiences they had that were very different. Although the color of their skin is the same and also the way they treat them, both authors take different precautions to handle the situations they find themselves in to persuade the audience on how to deal with the effects of racism. Both authors show their hidden message through the actions presented in the essays. Laymon's casual tone and willingness to fight make him more relatable. Both authors have the same experience when it comes to racism and they don't understand it. Staples says, “I had to become familiar with the language of fear. In the dark. Dark intersections. “I could cross in front of a car stopped at a traffic light and elicit the thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk of the driver – black, white, male or female – hammering the door locks.” Laymon has a similar experience when “we approached Shonda's Saturn and one of the men says. “Kiese write about this!” Then another voice calls me a "nigger" and Shonda a "nigger bitch." I think and feel a lot, but mostly I feel like I can't do anything to make the kids feel like they made us feel right there. " After reading these experiences, both authors have a sense of fear about the side effects of racism. Laymon goes on to tell you to stand up for what you believe in contrary to Staples. Laymon appears very nervous, not afraid to speak his mind. “Fuck you” I tell him and suck my… middle of paper… in every essay I would say the authors do an amazing job telling their stories I think it would be nice if Brent Staples told more of how he really felt in addressing this situation instead of just giving a short example. Laymon's essay was well written and very understandable. I like that he doesn't tell you what you should learn from this essay but make of it what you want experiences, handles these situations differently. Difference the authors had was the approach they took to the different situations they faced and the words as they wrote about them. Some of the similar things these authors shared were the emotions they felt when dealing with these adversity. One of the greatest things they shared was the hidden message, although subtle is very powerful. Peace is a very powerful tool for dealing with animosity.