“Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn’t matter which color does the hating. It’s just plain wrong,” (Muhammad Ali). Blacks and Whites have seemingly always disliked each other, especially as portrayed in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. The court case, Ewell versus Robinson, is where the segregation of Blacks and Whites is most discussed (Lee ch.18-22). This is argued on multiple occasion, such as Calpurnia bringing Scout and Jem to her First Purchase African M.E. Church (Lee 118). Mr. Bob Ewell is a great character that portrays racism in the community, especially in the court when he is trying to convince the jury that a Black man, Tom Robinson, did rape and beat Mayella Ewell, when it is actually Bob’s own doing. After reading To Kill a Mockingbird, there are distinct differences on how Blacks and Whites are treated in both the book and in life today.
To begin, the differences between the Blacks and Whites are very obvious, whether it is the Whites being segregated or the Blacks being segregated. As mentioned above, Scout and Jem are treated differently at Calpurnia’s church (Lee 118). Some Blacks are upset that they are at the church and make this obvious to Scout and Jem. Another example of racism in the book is that Aunt Alexandra never likes Calpurnia due to how she teaches the kid’s school work, manners, and lessons despite being Black. Aunt Alexandra feels this is a job more suited for a white woman, not a black cook and housekeeper (Lee 137).
On the other hand, Atticus treats Blacks with respect, dignity, and equal. As well at Dolphus Raymond, who prefers to live amongst the Blacks with his black wife and children (Lee 201). My cousin is married to a black man and this reminds me of the Raymond family in the book To Kill a Mockingbird. However, by the end of the book there is a decrease in segregation of Blacks and Whites, although this is still occurring today.
For instance, today’s world is still struggling with the separation of Blacks and Whites, even though the book took place in 1935, where there was historically more racial struggle (Lee 210). Although that was 83 years ago, it still occurs today in multiply ways. For example, the incidence in 2014 where a white police officer shot and killed a black teenage boy in Ferguson, Missouri. This police officer showed racism in our country today just as many others do. Another example of segregation of Blacks and Whites today is the different neighborhoods they live in or the name calling. As in the book, the Blacks live of one side of the county and that is still occurs in our world today.
This affects me by driving in to Jefferson City, Missouri and seeing a black neighborhood and thinking how sad it is that segregation still happens today. Although today many other people say it does not matter, a person is a person, and that is the way all people should consider relationships between Blacks and Whites. Even though the segregation of Black and Whites still occurs today, hopefully one day that will change.
Although, the 13th Amendment, passed in 1865, abolished slavery, and 14th Amendment, passed in 1868, allows anyone born on US soil, an US citizen, even Blacks (Civil Rights). It is obvious that there are still many issues with Blacks and Whites agreeing with each other. Even though the book takes place in the 1930’s, which is about 60 years after the Amendments passed, the book To Kill A Mockingbird portrays the issues that were going on between Blacks and Whites during that time. In the book, Atticus disagrees with the community by showing respect to Blacks and enjoying their company (Lee 137). Due to where I live and grow up I never had the exposure to other races and this makes it difficult to feel comfortable around them in a social setting. However, I would like to see all races get along because all lives matter.
In conclusion, “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash,” (Lee, Harper). In To Kill a Mockingbird the community shows the separation of Blacks and Whites, and is even in the world today.
As I said before, there are multiple people displaying racism, such as Bob when Tom, a black, has to go to jail due to something he did not do and it cost him his life. Blacks also show racism, for example Lula from Calpurnia’s church is very disrespectful toward Jem and Scout (Lee 119). In conclusion, after reading To Kill a Mockingbird and comparing Blacks and Whites today, I have realized many things, especially to treat others fairly, Black or White.
