The first memory I have about racism which really affected me was when I read To Kill a Mockingbird in the fifth grade. This story was so influential at this time in my life. It made me look at racial issues completely different. The book was about a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with rich humor and unswerving honesty the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina and quiet heroism of one man's struggle for justice.
The story deals with race and gender inequality. Scout Finch is very independent in a town and a culture that places some pretty demanding gender expectations on women. Scout is told to be a lady and reminded of what that entails. I want to share one of my favorite quotes from the book:
Scout," said Atticus, "nigger-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."
"You aren't really a nigger-lover, then, are you?"
"I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody... I'm hard put, sometimes – baby, it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you.
I love this quote because in these times in the Deep South this was a reality. The characters in the book Scout and Atticus are progressive with their thoughts and are role models for equality. It really made me realize how we need to stand up for the rights of others as well as stay strong with our own beliefs. More that anything it is education and equal rights which are needed in this situation. People need to be informed and ready to accept all.
This is one of my favorites, too! Only I have to admit I've never made it through the book but I have seen the movie a gazillion times. It so saddens me that there are still people in our world that hold fast to the attitudes of that little town, but warms my heart and hope that there are still others who, like Scout and Atticus, that stand up for what is right and refuse to be influence by the ignorance around them.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was teaching in the high school classroom, I tried to show old films like these as often as I could and tied it back to the realities that children experience daily from environmental influences. Another good one is "12 Angry Men". (As a side note... it is funny to watch teens get "hooked" on old black and white movies - most of them have never been exposed to the classics and almost always balk going in but it doesn't take long to develop an appreiation for them.)
Yes I remember reading that book in the fifth grade as well. It was a book that respresented prejudice and bias in a way. It was one of those books that were required to read in elementary school. I consider the people just a lack of knowledge and still today.
ReplyDeleteI think that we all can recall having to read this book as a requirement. It really is a touching book. Uncle Tom's Cabin is another book that provides stereotypes of African American.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the quote.