THE ALABAMA TIMES
RACIAL PREJUDICE AT THE HEART OF MAYCOMB CONTINUES TO PUMP THE INJUSTICE SERVED TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY
WRITTEN BY MICHAEL D’AMBROSI
PUBLISHED ON SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015
TORONTO, ON - The existence of racial inequality has been demonstrated as a distinctive characteristic of Maycomb following Tom Robinson’s inequitable trial which ultimately led to his demise, which occurred in the 1930s. Tom Robinson, a young black man often referred to as a “negroe” by the white community, was convicted of raping Mayella Ewell, a vulnerable white woman, after being defended by Atticus Finch towards a non-impartial jury composed of white close-minded community members. Atticus Finch’s strategic and honest verdict was unsuccessful in manipulating the minds of the white Jury members as the jurors voted “guilty… guilty…guilty…guilty…” (Lee 282) unanimously as the white community had little respect of the African-American population.
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| Black community fights for equality in contemporary society in November, 2013. |
Significant themes were integrated and exposed during the discriminatory trial. The theme of coexistence of good and evil was present, and the theme of existence of racial inequality was as well. Scout and Jem Finch, the children of Atticus, come to realize, through the exposure of racial inequality as they witnessed the trail, that innocence and moral purity do not necessarily compose the majority aspect of a person’s character as they once believed. As they move from a state of innocence to an understanding of evil in “loving Maycomb”, they begin to question humanity as a whole.
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| Racial inequality continues to be a major social issue in society today. |
Through the community recognizing the racial prejudice event that took place, Atticus Finch revealed his heroic inner qualities towards the black community as no white member of society has defended a black man. The black community respected his efforts as “they were standing. All around us and in the balcony on the opposite wall, the Negroes were getting to their feet.” (Lee 283) The jurors revealed their ignorance towards humanity as they followed along with the racial norms in their society as they presumed it was justly acceptable, ignoring their moral awareness to the wrong-doings. Bob Ewell, the father of Mayella, demonstrated a typical member of the white community in their society; heart-filled with racial prejudice, ignorance, and uncleanliness as an individual.
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| Atticus Finch takes action to not only defend Tom Robinson, but takes action to stand up to the entire black community as a whole. |
It would be an understatement to state that our society today ceases to experience such acts of racial prejudice, regardless of its absence in the lives of many. Stereotypical racial classifications are resulting in particular cultural groups (e.g. dark-skinned people) to feel as a minority in terms of self-worth, just as the black people in Maycomb did. According to Statistics Canada, racialized immigrant women earn only 48.7% of the employment revenue that non-racialized immigrant men earn, while racialized women earn 56.%, which is $25,204, of what white men earn, which is $45,327. This example demonstrates the functioning and inequality in locations in Canada where discrimination is a key aspect.
A term used over the course of the novel was the word niggroe. The term “niggroe” has evolved into a more contemptuous term for dark-skinned individuals over the years. Although it’s difficult to conclude, the term appears to have been a mere form of classification in Maycomb as all members of society use the word to refer to an African-American, and white and black individuals used it alike. It appears that a negative connotation has been integrated into the words meaning as evident in society today as many individuals are offended by the words use, unlike the black community in Maycomb who did not mind its usage.
However, racial prejudice has eliminated itself from aspects of contemporary society today in comparison to the functioning of Maycomb. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms forbids discrimination in our society and provides consequences of such inequity, while the court system failed to provide justice to Tom Robinson as he was murdered while trying to escape from the cell, resulting in him being shot seventeen times to death.
In our society, leaders similar to Atticus are evident as people also place integrity into their efforts, live with moral courage, respond to emotions of empathy, and educate their children by example how to respond to such racial prejudices with moral values. Those educated about Atticus’ endeavors can come to appreciate the multicultural and diverse aspects of Canadian culture this present day. Members of society may follow Atticus’ example of taking a stand against racial prejudice, and thus will progress forward in terms of eliminating racial prejudice in the lives of many.
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