Examples Of Racism In To Kill A Mockingbird

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.

An example of racism shown in the narrative is when a white man named Dolphus Raymond married a black woman. He didn’t fit into the black community because he was a white, wealthy man that had power. He also did not fit into the white community because he cheated on his fiancé with a black woman. The novel says, “He likes ‘em better’n he likes us, I reckon.” Because of this issue, people started to notice he drank from a bottle in a paper bag. When Scout and Dill found out it was only Coca-Cola, he told them it distracts

the people of Maycomb to think that drinking caused him to cheat, and he uses that as an excuse. In the song, it says, “We all have our faults…” This quote explains that no matter what race we are, we all make mistakes because we are all human. For that reason, Mr. Raymond was seen more of an outcast due to the consequences of racial prejudice.
Another example of racial prejudice in the novel is the trial with Tom Robinson.

The evidence clearly exhibits that Tom is innocent, but because of his race and color, he was still pleaded guilty with no exception. The decision of the jury was solely out of racism because at that time period, it was very uncommon for a black person to be considered right, especially in this situation. On page 220, it says,” In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins.” Even according to Atticus, Tom’s Lawyer, he knows that the chances are very slim for them to win the case, even if Tom was being completely honest. In the song, it states,” Yes, your skin is white… does that make you right? ; Tell me: how can a color determine whether you’re wrong or right?” This quote relates to when Tom was telling the full truth during the case, but the jury believed Mayella over him just because of the difference in complexion. His situation is symbolic of the hypocrisy of racism in

Maycomb.
The novel conveys many themes, however racial prejudice was mentioned very thoroughly during the characters’ time period. The people of Maycomb segregate the blacks and whites in order to keep their town “in sequence”. First, Dolphus Raymond was judged and detested by the black and white community because of his “unfortunate” situation. This connects to when the song discusses that everyone is human no matter what race or gender. Also, Tom Robinson was accused of rape even though it was very evident that he was innocent. The song compares by saying color does not always make someone correct in any condition. To Kill a Mockingbird and “Message from a Black Man” have a very similar approach to identify racial prejudgment. Racism is an ongoing issue in our world that requires resolving to this day.