How does the racism portrayed in To Kill a
Mockingbird compare to present-day issues of
racial inequality?
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a classic novel that tackles the issue of
racism and discrimination in the American South during the Great Depression.
While the novel is set in the 1930s, the themes and issues it raises continue to
resonate in contemporary society. In this essay, we will explore how the
racism portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird compares to present-day issues of
racial inequality.
One of the central themes of To Kill a Mockingbird is the power of racism to
corrupt individuals and communities. Through the character of Tom Robinson,
Lee exposes the injustice and cruelty of the Jim Crow laws that governed the
South during this period. Tom is falsely accused of raping a white woman, and
despite overwhelming evidence that he is innocent, he is convicted and
sentenced to death. The trial is a sham, and the community's racism runs so
deep that they are willing to ignore the truth to maintain the status quo.
The racism and discrimination depicted in To Kill a Mockingbird are
reminiscent of present-day issues of racial inequality, where people of color
continue to face discrimination and bias in areas such as housing, education,
and employment. The murder of George Floyd in May 2020 and subsequent
protests that erupted across the United States and around the world
highlighted the continued prevalence of systemic racism in American society.
The Black Lives Matter movement, which emerged in the aftermath of the
killing of Trayvon Martin in 2012, has become a powerful force in the fight
against racial injustice. The movement has brought attention to issues such as
police brutality, mass incarceration, and economic inequality, and has helped
to spark a national conversation about race and racism.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee also explores the theme of white privilege, which
is a concept that continues to be relevant in the contemporary world. The
character of Atticus Finch, while a hero for his defense of Tom Robinson, is
also a product of his time and place. He is a white man who benefits from the
privileges afforded to him by his race and gender, and while he stands up
against injustice, he is also limited by his own biases and blind spots.
Similarly, present-day discussions of white privilege and systemic racism often
highlight how white people benefit from systems and structures that
disadvantage people of color. The concept of white privilege can be a difficult
one for some people to accept, as it challenges the idea that success is solely
based on individual effort and merit. However, the reality is that race continues
to be a determining factor in a person's life chances, and denying this fact only
perpetuates the inequality and injustice that exist in society.
In conclusion, while To Kill a Mockingbird is set in a specific historical period
and context, the issues it raises and the themes it explores continue to be
relevant in contemporary society. From the continued prevalence of systemic
racism to discussions of white privilege, the novel offers a powerful
commentary on the enduring nature of racial inequality. As individuals and as
a society, we must continue to confront these issues in order to promote
justice, equality, and human dignity for all.
References:
Lee, H. (1960). To kill a mockingbird. HarperCollins.
Stevenson, B. (2014). Just mercy: A story of justice and redemption. Spiegel & Grau.
Alexander, M. (2010). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness.
The New Press.