Staples taught psychology at Widener University and other institutions in Chicago from 1977 to 1981. In 1983, he was hired as a science writer for the Chicago Sun-Times. In 1985, Staples joined the staff of "The New York Times" as an editor of the "Book Review" and subsequently became assistant metropolitan editor. In 1986, his essay "Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space", published in Ms. Magazine, was so influential it became required reading in numerous college courses. In 1990 he was appointed to the newspaper's editorial board.