Examples Of Racial Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Racial discrimination occurs in all countries, cities and towns and crosses all racial types. The positive and negative influences that drive racial tension have changed over the last 86 years. So what influences people to act in a racist manner and other people to be unbiased? We know that role models, social norms, government and media play a part in this. The text To Kill a Mocking Bird TKAM set in the 1930’s has challenged us to consider the influences on Tom Robinson, Scout and Jem. And has challenged us to consider the events in our world that have contributed to racial viewpoints: Brown vs Board of Education, Charleston Shootings, The Little Rock Nine. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, strong racial injustices…show more content…
Growing up in Maycomb County, a town in the deep south of America Scout and Jem (white Americans) are influenced by social norms every day. Strong minded family members, naivety, class mates and the community caused them to form negative viewpoints about the African Americans in their community. “Don’t say Nigger Scout”- “s what everybody at school says”. Is a quote of the influences of social norms and impact of class mates on Scout and highlighted the lack of awareness of her own racial discrimination. Experiences significantly change her viewpoint, as she experiences more truthful events. As she becomes more aware of what is morally right. Through the trial of Tom Robinson, an innocent black man accused of taking advantage of a white girl. Scout’s father Atticus supports Tom and both Scout and Jem develop a deeper and more…show more content…
One of these key events being the 1954 Brown vs Board of Education trial. It was a highly political, social and spiritual affair for all involved. It went against the 1896 Plessy vs Ferguson decision to racially segregate schools. Oliver Brown was a parent who challenged the segregation rule, because his daughter was unable to access the closest school (white). His daughter was having to walk over a mile to get to school each day. Oliver’s decision to challenge the law made him to be a role model for change in schooling access and education. Subsequently the U.S Supreme Court declared all laws establishing all segregated schools were to be unconstitutional. Following this in 1957 the first African American students were enrolled in Little Rock Central High. Identified and widely known as ‘The Little Rock Nine’. This event was marked by violence and protests with the first African American student Ernest Green graduating from the previously all white high school in 1958. These two events clearly show the positive change in education for African Americans. Positive influence of role models and law changes has increased human rights and beliefs in society. The constitutionalizing of state schools showed that some Americans were realizing that the colour of one's skin should not be a crime and limit one's
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