Racism And Segregation In To Kill A Mockingbird

Colored skin people, particularly African Americans, have been under pressure and stress of racial injustice throughout history. After the mid-nineteen-century’s abolition of slavery, there seemed to be a shift in Whites ‘ relations with Blacks, but Whites emancipated Blacks by passing segregation and Jim Crow Laws. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird the ideas of racism and segregation are hinted throughout the story. Lee portrays her characters with different attitudes and strong beliefs towards race relations and segregation which existed in the town of Maycomb.

To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in the fictional town of Maycomb located in the South during the times of segregation. Blacks were considered inferior and referred to as ‘ ni**ers ‘ throughout the novel, and ‘ ni**er lovers ‘ are those who help them or give them some respect. Atticus, the protagonist of the novel is called a ‘ni***r lover by townspeople. One instance of this is revealed through his daughter Scout questioning Atticus about this and he replies by saying “Scout ni**er-lover is just one of those terms that don’t mean anything—like snot-nose. It’s hard to explain—ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody’s favoring Negroes over and above themselves. It’s slipped into usage with some people like ourselves, when they want a common, ugly term to label somebody” (Lee. 112). Throughout the story Atticus, who is a well known lawyer believes in equality and defends an African-American man by putting his reputation in line as a white man. Atticus, Calpurnia and the many social events that takes place in the story teach Jem and Scout morality, truths about the society, and other lessons as the story progresses.