I decided on the question, ‘how does racism/sexism/homophobia/bigotry affect a society?’ I chose this question because it covers a topic that the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird and I, can relate to. Jem, Scout, and Dill live in a racists environment, where people who support the black community are seen as outcasts. This group includes: Mr.Raymond, his children. (Although, the Ewells are incredibly racist, they are also seen outliers.) In addition, I believe that some people also see the Finches as outcasts or “different”. Fortunately, Atticus is a very respectable man, he still has people who are willing to support him. Although I may not live in a time where racism is a social norm, racism still exists today. As a person of color, I've
been a victim of assumptions and microaggressions. Often, people might not think about what they are saying towards people of color, and many times, they are hurtful or racist. The fact that racism is such a hidden thing, makes our society no less dangerous than the society Jem, Scout, and Dill live in. The trial of Tom Robinson is a case that is manipulated by racism. This is because the jury gave Tom Robinson no chance of freedom because of their racist view and not because he was proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The children, especially Jem, Scout, and Dill were affected physically and mentally. For instance, Jem and Scout were attacked by Mr.Ewell because Atticus was helping a colored person. Additionally, after such events occurred, Jem realizes his town isn't so perfect and becomes more aware of the role racism takes on his town. Not only did the racist opinions brought out by case affect the children, but it also impacted the whole black community and others who respected Tom Robinson. As a result of the racial opinions, Tom Robinson was shot seventeen times when trying to escape. Similarly, one instance includes the death of Stephon Clark. Twenty two year old Stephon Clark was shot eight times by police officers in his grandmother’s backyard (California, Sacramento). Police officers were responding to a 911 call reporting someone breaking car windows. Medical help arrived six minutes later, he was announced dead afterwards. As a response from Black Lives Matter, the shooting has sparked widespread protests in California and New York. Displaying the fact that not only does shootings like these affect the people that surrounded the victim, but the whole community. This case is one of many shootings that happen all over the United States where racism plays a big part. Racism creates a society in which it is easy for people judge others by ethnicity, gender, and etc. Usually when my family and I go shopping or anywhere in public, some people give me looks that make me feel very uncomfortable. People also assume that I’m something that I’m not because of my ethnicity. I, as a person of color, may unintentionally make assumptions by a person’s appearance, I’m not proud of it, but it is human instinct. Fortunately, as I experience more events such as these, I can learn to not only be more proud of my ethnicity, but also have more self awareness of what I say to people.
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a remarkable novel following the childhood of Jem and Scout, the son and daughter of Atticus Finch. Living in a small and drama filled town of Maycomb County they encounter a great deal of people who do not stand by their word. Hypocrisy occurs throughout this novel first by a man named Dolphus Raymond, then by two women Mrs. Merriweather and Miss Gates.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”-Martin Luther King Jr. This quote shows how racism is like darkness and hate and love and light are the only way to drive racism out. The story takes place at the time of the great depression. Scout lives in a very racist and judgement city in the south. A black male is accused of raping a white woman. Scouts dad Atticus gets appointed to be the defendant's lawyer. Racism is an antagonist in To Kill A Mockingbird because the white people of Maycomb discriminate the blacks and make them feel lesser. The theme racism can be harmful to everyone is shown by many characters throughout the book.
Personally, I have never experienced any form of racism so far in my life; possibly because it is looked down upon. Though this is true, there are African Americans claims to experience racism in their everyday life. When taking leisurely walks to clear their minds or just for good exercise people complains that during these walks and in other instances throughout the day, they notice that people act differently around them. Specifically, people would cross the street to switch sidewalks and women would cling a little tighter to their purses. Even go so far as to wait for the next elevator. Some might feel like it is easier just to avoid eye contact. Over time the population has tried harder to pretend that they treat everyone equally but the way the media brings up racism is
How would you like it if someone walked up to you and berated you based on the color of your skin? A characteristic like that isn’t even something you can control, so an insult of that nature can leave one furious and oppressed. Discrimination is inevitable in any culture, throughout history, in modern times, and even in ancient times. For example, the oppression and murder of 6 million Jewish people during the Holocaust, the African Slave Trade which occurred for multiple centuries, and more recently, the “ethnic cleansing” of Rohingya people in Myanmar, brought on by the government of the Asian nation, all of which are tragedies doomed to happen when history repeats itself and people do not learn
The characters all have different personalities and styles they each show each other sides that they didn’t know in the beginning of the book. In To Kill a Mockingbird the characters are: Jean Louise Finch(Scout), Atticus Finch, Jeremy Atticus Finch(Jem), Boo Radley, Bob Ewell, Charles Baker Harris(Dill), Miss Maudie Atkinson, Calpurnia, Aunt Alexandra, Mayella Ewell, Tom Robinson, Link Deas, Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose, Nathan Radley, Heck Tate, Mr. Underwood, Mr. Dolphus Raymond, Mr. Walter Cunningha, Walter Cunningham.
The novel To Kill A Mockingbird, written by renowned author Harper Lee, was published on July 11, 1960. Her novel received the prestigious Pulitzer Prize and has become a modern-day American classic novel. The book’s setting is in Alabama and occurs when widespread racism and discrimination are high in the South. The name of the book arises from the common belief and saying that, ’It is a sin to kill a mockingbird’. To Kill A Mockingbird is narrated by Scout Finch, about her father, Atticus Finch, a well-known lawyer who fights to prove the innocence of a black man (Tom Robinson), who is unjustly accused of rape, and about Boo Radley, her mysterious neighbor who saves both her and her brother Jem from being killed.
Racism presents itself in many ways in the town of Maycomb. Some are blatant and open, but others are more insidious. One obvious way that racism presents itself is in the result of Tom Robinson’s trial. Another apparent example is the bullying Jem and Scout had to endure as a result of Atticus’s appointment as Tom Robinson’s defense attorney. A less easily discernible case is the persecution of Mr. Dolphus Raymond, who chose to live his life in close relation with the colored community.
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, many different themes come into view. One major theme that played a big role in the character’s lives is racial prejudice. Racism is an unending problem throughout the book. The song “Message from a Black Man” by The Temptations has many similarities to the theme of racial discrimination. Therefore, both the novel and the song prove that racism was a great obstacle for some people at a point.
'Democracy,' she said. 'Does anybody have a definition?' ... 'Equal rights for all, special privileges for none' (Lee 248).
Prejudice is a real life problem in the world. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee describes the prejudices found in a small American town in the 1930's. Race, social class, and gender are examples of prejudice.
To Kill a Mockingbird’s relevancy to today’s society In To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee uses characters to explore the different stereotypes in the Southern United States of the 1930s. Through the eyes of Scout Finch you learn how these stereotypes are so absurd and fabricated they really are. The novel also portrays numerous examples of racism, sexism, in creative ways. The stereotypes and themes portrayed in this novel are exactly what makes it so relevant to today’s society. An important reason why To Kill a Mockingbird is relevant today is the ever-growing resurgence of racism throughout the country.
Within today’s world and all the way through history, everyone is either defined as a girl or boy. A simple concept known as a person’s sex or gender. Gender has established roles for each of the different sexes in which people are pushed in a guideline. As society advances there so often comes up with outliers, challengers, or rebels that propose against society’s gender rules. Harper Lee or the author of How to Kill a Mockingbird mentions the topic of gender and how people discriminate on it frequently. Even in times people push their children or even peers to being what they don’t personally feel like they are, as some transgender parents often due. Harper Lee wants to inferences that gender is a defining society rule.
In society today racism is still very much alive, although not as blunt and obvious as it was in the 1930’s. Although people won't admit it, many people still
In “To Kill a Mockingbird” there are many examples of racism. During the 1960s when the book was published, racism was acceptable and Black people were constantly dominated and ridiculed by Caucasian people. This novel written by Harper Lee is based on racism against Black people and the refusal of people to treat everyone equally.
The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel. It is set in the 1930s, a time when racism was very prominent. Harper Lee emphasizes the themes of prejudice and tolerance in her novel through the use of her characters and their interactions within the Maycomb community. The narrator of the story, Scout, comes across many people and situations with prejudice and tolerance, as her father defends a black man.