How Does Atticus Finch Show Courage

Courage. It plays a critical role in times when standing up against the entire society. That’s what many people could have done. That’s what many people did. All throughout the 1930’s to around the 1960’s, Jim Crow Racism was a major problem. However, certain people did fight back, like the famous MLK Jr., fighting for equal rights of the black people. Or in To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch fights for Tom Robinson. Fighting back against Jim Crow racism was possible if an individual had enough courage to stand against it.

Some people of the modern day world still believe that there are not many cases in which people of the past could stand up to Jim Crow racism individually. However, the actions of Martin Luther King Jr. describes a perfect

scenario in which one individual's actions make a huge difference. According to History Channel, MLK was born January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in a normal neighborhood of black children. Nothing was special about him except that his father was a preacher at a church. However, in 1954, his city started on the Civil Rights Act. Going on many campaigns for black rights, his bravery lead to the famous “I Have A Dream” speech, the “Rosa Parks Boycott,” and his “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” He stood against the wrongdoings of racism, and he did it as an individual.

To Kill A Mockingbird demonstrated how one character could change so much in the story, specifically the trials.

One of the main characters, Atticus Finch, was a lawyer, and defended a black man, Tom Robinson, against a rape charge. In chapters 17 to 21, Atticus Finch protected Tom against the accusations. He became very persuasive, almost to the point where he wins over the crowd. Later on in the book, Robinson attempts to escape, but is shot. In the scene afterwards, people can be heard saying that his life would have been saved by Atticus. He had such an impact, that one black person could have been freed.

Some people believe that individuals could not use courage to fight the social injustice of Jim Crow Racism. They may use the case of the Scottsboro Boys tried in 4 separate cases, and did not receive justice. They had evidence supporting the fact that they were innocent, however they were ignored because of the color of their skin. In times of Jim Crow, this was not at all uncommon. People argue using evidence like this, however they did not take in affect what the other scenarios have said. The rebellions of blacks. Even in times of Martin Luther King Jr, that type of racism was still in effect, and they stood up against it. It was not

impossible.

As said before, many people believe that whatever they do, they do not matter in a motivational way. People have always been racist and will continue to be so. Some may say “that’s just how it is,” but it’s not. If they really wanted to, they could make the “how it is” into “how it was.” They could change it. No matter what, as long as one had courage, they could stand up against the racism of Jim Crow Laws, and create a major impact. The points were proven when MLK Jr. stood up for black rights, or when Atticus almost persuaded the white people to release Tom Robinson, those were individual people. And whether fictional or not, they changed a lot of opinions.They stood. And this proves that in times of racism, one person really can make a difference. So do not stand around when a person makes racist actions, stand up. One can truly make a difference. Individuals can use courage to fight against the social force of Jim Crow Racism.