The Role Of Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

When people are categorized as superior or inferior because of their skin tone it can become problematic. For example, in 1954 multiple states had laws to secure the divide between whites and blacks. They attended different schools, churches, and restrooms. Whites were seen as superior and were the first priority while blacks were poorly treated and uncared for. The different treatment of both races created tension. This connects to the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee because it provides an insight on racism. Atticus Finch, a respected lawyer and father is given a case to defend Tom Robinson, a black man. During the trial and events that occur after, his children, Jem and Scout, discover a new side of Maycomb that was not known …show more content…
The guilty verdict forces Jem to realize that everything is not as it seems. This is when he realizes why Boo Radley chooses to stay locked up in his house. Jem loses his innocence due to his exposure to the discrimination and inequality of the world. Jem explains to Miss Maudie about how he feels by saying, “‘It’s like bein’ a caterpillar in a cocoon, […] wrapped in a warm place. I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that’s what they seemed like’” (Lee 215). Jem is highly affected as his world is altered for the worst. Now he realizes how others will treat each other unfairly. Jem used to be full of life and happy, but now he is hurt, disillusioned, and lost. He demonstrates his loss of innocence as he understands why Boo stays inside his house; to hide from the cruelty of the world. After the trial, Bob Ewell begins to act strangely despite winning the case. Bob has this deep-seeded anger inside of him after the trail and this is because of Atticus. He now seeks for revenge since his last shred of dignity and integrity has been taken away. Ewell begins to harass Helen Robinson as she walks the shortcut to work. According to Helen in order to get away from him she had to, “walk nearly a mile […] to avoid the Ewells [...] ‘chunked at her’ the first time she tried the public road. […] Mr. Ewell kept the same distance behind her […] crooning foul words” …show more content…
Black and whites usually do not get along well even though they are teammates. They rarely communicate outside of the field unless it is necessary. Approximately seventy five percent of student athletes say that sports does not create racial harmony. An observation reveals that, “self-segregation was seen in the locker room and among teammates on campus. […] very little meaningful contact outside what was required as teammates” (Beamon par.46). The athlete’s lack of communication is caused by racism and the only time they actually talk to each other is when they are forced to. The split between them in the locker room and on campus proves that racism still takes place today and demonstrates how they are not fond of each other like how Lula was not kind towards two white children going to a Negro church. Like the separation of the churches in, To Kill a Mockingbird, blacks have their own group on campus and the lockers while the whites have their own. Blacks are also restricted to the sports they play while the whites are not. On campus blacks only play basketball and football while the whites play a variety of sports that include basketball, football, tennis, golf, and hockey. Additionally, whites are granted leadership as captain of a team or as a coach; African Americans are not given that privilege. Statistics show that blacks have fewer privileges by showing