Effects of Racism in To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
Racism can be explained as a belief that human capacities and traits can be primarily determined; therefore, one can consider some races being superior to others. Some of the vices of racism include discrimination, prejudice, and hatred, which is directed at some people because of their national origin or ethnicity. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, racism is discussed in many interactions between various characters. This led to many effects, which mostly affected the African-Americans, which includes unfair convictions amongst the blacks, loss of lives by the African-Americans, individual discrimination based on races, and conflicts between the African-American community and the whites.
Some of the American-Africans are convicted unfairly just because of their race in the book. Tom, who was black, was accused of rape, a crime he did not commit. He was charged by a white father and a white daughter, who eventually led to him being unfairly convicted. This was a result of the minority groups being perceived as inferior, which led to the violation of their rights.
Discrimination of the African- Americans is another effect of racism in the book. The blacks were deprived of opportunities, amenities, and justice. Oppression was exercised on the African-Americans, which led to them being regarded as inferior and uncivilized as well as criminals and savages. The whites were angered by Atticus’ decision to offer Tom his legal services in an alleged rape case as they felt the blacks were not worth his services.
Killings of blacks is another significant effect of racism in the book. For example, after Tom was unfairly executed end imprisoned, he was unsatisfied with this decision. This led to him trying to escape from prison ( Macaluso, Michael, pg280). His action to try and free himself led to him being shot by the police. If it were not for racial practices in the small town of Maycomb, Tom could not have lost his life.
Conflicts among the members of Maycomb town are another significant effect of racism in society. For example, the decision of Atticus to represent Tom in the alleged rape case invited conflicts in the community.
In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, racism is discussed in many interactions between various characters. This led to many effects, which mostly affected the African-Americans, which includes unfair convictions amongst the blacks, loss of lives by the African-Americans, individual discrimination based on races, and conflicts between the African-American community and the whites.
Works Cited
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962).