Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
by Barry Wright
Essay: Racism in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Pages: 10
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Racism was a very large part of society in the south during the 1930’s. Many colored people were thought of as
less than their peers. Whites were considered better than African Americans were, and almost every white person
accepted the unjust judgment. Racial discrimination hit hard in the south. Many of the characters in To Kill a
Mockingbird were impacted by racial discrimination, including Calpurnia, Scout, and Tom Robinson and his family.
One of the more “accepted” sorts of racism in the 1930’s was in the home. Many families had African American
housekeepers, and the Finch’s were one of those families. When Aunt Alexandra moved in, she created some
turbulence with Calpurnia. When Atticus was talking about how a man despised Negroes, Aunt Alexandra stated,
“’Don’t talk like that in front of them’”(Lee 209). Unlike Aunt Alexandra, Calpurnia believes one should treat
everyone with respect and put aside their racial, sexual, or financial differences, no matter what their social station
(Telgen 292).
Calpurnia tries so hard to be approved by society the way the Finches have accepted her. She treats the Finches
like her family. She shows off Jem and Scout because she’s proud of them, no matter what color their skin is.
Calpurnia is not allowed at a white church, and when Atticus leaves, she decides to take the children to her church.
“’I wants to know why you bringin’ white chillun to nigger church’” is what Lula, an African American woman at
Calpurnia’s church, said when she saw Jem and Scout at First Purchase African M.E. Church (Lee 158). Calpurnia
replied with, “It’s the same God, ain’t it?’”(Lee 158). Calpurnia tries hard to put aside racial differences and see a
person for whom they really are, but she encoun...
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