Justice for most, injustice for some
As Pope Paul VI once said, “If you want peace, work for justice.” As there were many struggles occurring during the time period To Kill a Mockingbird is based in, such as racism and sexism to name a few, injustice was a common thing to witness. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird Scout Finch and Helen Robinson persevere through injustices. This injustice, however, was not fictional, as seen in America Says Thank You by Achieve3000 where the Tuskegee Airmen also face injustices that they must overcome.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout Finch is entangled within her own family’s injustices and must learn to overcome even the most personal wrongdoings. For instance, as Scout and Uncle Jack discuss Scout’s
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For example, when she tries to walk down the public road after Link Deas employs her at his cotton farm, even though he did not need her, she is mistreated simply for being an African-American, “...it [is] hard on Helen, because she [has] to walk nearly a mile out of her way to avoid the Ewells, who, according to Helen, ‘[chunk] at her’ the first time she [tries] to use the public road” (Lee 333). Helen Robinson has every right to walk on any public road in Maycomb, just like any other human being does, including Bob, Mayella, and all of the other Ewell descendants. Although, since the Ewells are unfortunately racist like many other Maycomb inhabitants, they decide to unjustly attack Helen while using a public road because she is an African-American when in reality, she is just another human being. Furthermore, when Link Deas goes to the Ewell’s house and orders the Ewell family to keep their contact with Helen peaceful, he howls, “ ‘I know every last one of you’s in there a-lyin’ on the floor! Now hear me Bob Ewell: if I hear one more peep outta my girl Helen about not being’ able to walk this road I’ll have you in jail before sundown!’ ” (Lee 334). Link being the non-racist, brave, neighborly individual he is, answers Helen’s desperate call for help and makes the Ewells treat Mrs. Robinson like the person she truly is. This must truly make her life a ton easier, …show more content…
In particular, the Tuskegee Airmen faced discrimination in the army, even the commanders, “...did not believe that African-Americans possessed sufficient intelligence, courage, and patriotism to fight... The Tuskegee Airmen were not allowed to practice or fight with their white counterparts” (Achieve3000). These valiant and good-hearted individuals were wrongly judged for being African-American. They were not viewed anywhere near white soldiers, and could not even fight with any white individual. Although the Airmen faced inequality during their time of service, “...the Airmen proved their love of their country in combat in World War II. Hundreds fought in Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa, dozens died, and others were held as prisoners of war” (Achieve3000). The Tuskegee Airmen and their ability to push through an incredibly tough time for all people of color truly is a marvel. It really is amazing because they risked their lives to save the very same country that made their lives a “living hell.” This insane patriotism allowed these heroes to persevere through one of the most shameful eras in American history, where African-American people were valued less than white
Americans looked at African Americans differently because of their race and background in society, but they wanted to change this. The Tuskegee Airmen changed racial perceptions by achieving goals in combat and winning important medals. They broke stereotypes by winning against their strongest enemies and destroying the tactics of these enemies. These Airmen fought many enemies in war, including the Germans, and they proved to many white Americans that they had the ability to fly planes in war.
Airmen of WWII Racism is part of American history and is not forgotten. The Tuskegee Airmen of WWII left their mark on the military and their influence changed history. Many events had to happen for the majority of racism, at least in the military, to change, such as a war. December 1940, the Army Air Corps planned an experiment for black aviators in an all black fighter squadron. This group would be called the 332nd fighter group and would consist of four fighter squadrons, the 99th, 100th, 301st, 302nd.
The Tuskegee Airmen, also commonly referred to as Red Tails, were a group of African-American pilots who fought in World War II. These airmen were renowned for their fight against racial prejudices through their exploits in WWII. Despite their struggles against racism, they managed to prove whites mindsets wrong with their great achievements such as, never losing a single bomber under their escort to enemy fighters. Regardless of their skill, these black aviators returned to their country to find white attitudes were unchanged and joined another battle in pursuit of desegregating their military. Booker T. Washington’s philosophy of peaceful, but persistent confrontation, influenced the way Tuskegee Airmen’s challenge to confront racial barriers within the American military.
James Baldwin uncovers a few misconceptions in his essay, ?Notes of a Native Son?, about the discrimination that occurred with in the American Armed Forces during World War II. These misconceptions were not unintentional?the government, to look more political, created these perceptions. The government treated the African Americans unfairly and segregation and discrimination were still not uncommon. Not only were African-Americans rarely let into the army but once in the army they were not given the same opportunities as the other soldiers. This was not only unfair to the African-American soldiers who were willing to put their lives on the line for their country but also for all American citizens who lost their lives in World War II.
As I conducted my research on the Tuskegee Airmen, I found several articles that would be very useful in my paper regarding the Tuskegee Airmen. The new found articles will allow me to study and determine the quality of airmanship they had. I would also enlighten me on their missions and how they looked at their own performance. These articles will also help me tell their story of how discrimination impacted there lives. Reading through these articles has helped me better the tell of this awesome story. It gives me dates and times and a list of what really led them to their success in life.
1. As a youth in grade school, I remember how it was always nice to be first. The first person to do everything was like being king for a day. I am sure we can relate in some way of how it feels to be first. Being first paves the way for followers to strive to accomplish the things you did to become first. Imagine being first, must have felt for Eugene Bullard, the first African American combat pilot. I know that a lot of people, including myself, thought that the first African American combat pilots were The Tuskegee Airmen. "He flew nearly 25 years before the first African American pilots graduated from Air Corps pilot training in 1942, at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama (African American Pilot Eugene Bullard, 1). Had it not been for famous firsts, such as Bullard, who helped pave the way for racial equality, I would not be able to sit in the same classroom with you today. "For 350 years, blacks in America's military have fought a dual fight- against their country's external enemies and against the internal enemy of racism," says Bernard C. Nalty, a historian in the Office of Air Force History (Nalty, preface). Military and civil leaders were divided on the policy of using blacks in armed combat, setting the pattern for exclusion and acceptance, by using blacks in time of crisis and ignoring them in times of peace. Through a remarkable combination of persistence, skill and luck, Eugene Bullard became the first African American combat pilot.
During the court case, Mayella was referred to as, “Ma’am,” while Tom Robinson was asked by Mr. Gilmer, “Are you (Tom Robinson) being imprudent to me, boy?” (Document C, “Ma’am” vs. “Boy”). Both of these people are adults, yet they were addressed differently. Tom Robinson was treated like a child and Miss Mayella was treated like a proper adult. The way that this society looked at these two people is very segregated and is dependent completely on their race. Many others in this town suffered from racism and rude remarks being made towards them, like Helen. One day Scout asked Calpurnia about Helen Robinson and, “Calpurnia said it was hard on Helen because she had to walk nearly a mile out of her way to avoid the Ewells, who according to Helen, “chunked at her,” the first time she tried to use a public road.” (TKAM, pg 333). There are many individuals who are looked at as those of the lesser class due to their skin color and they often faced awful circumstances. White people automatically were set above all black people during these decades because of the strict social boundaries that were set. However, even though Miss Ewell had one advantage of being white in a southern segregated town, she still struggled with being categorized due to her class and
The main victims of this inhumanity are the Blacks, who are seen to be the lowest of the low. This is visible when despite the fact that Calpurnia is a great housekeeper and has done nothing wrong, Aunt Alexandra still insists on Atticus firing her, just because she is black. This brings to light the deep-rooted racism in Maycomb. There are many other characters that are loathsome and act brutally towards others such as Mrs. Dubose when she shouts horrible things about Atticus to Scout and Jem “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!” This shows that she is not afraid to voice her opinion about the hatred she feels towards people and that she certainly doesn’t care about how her words could hurt others.
The Tuskegee Airmen were a fine example of many who had fought for equality between blacks and whites as well as many who had sought opportunity for blacks in those times, and had a high number of achievements and awards during their time in the military. Works Cited George, Linda and Charles. The Tuskegee Airmen. Canada: Children's Press, 2001. Brooks, Philip.
During WWII African american soldiers were subjected to racism and segregation. They were seen as mentally inferior and cowards in the face of danger. Political pressure and civil rights groups, resulted in the formation of the Tuskegee Airmen. A small group of African americans became pilot cadets under special conditions. During WWII African americans fought battles on two fronts against Germans and against racism at home.
Before WORLD WAR I, military service represented a source of black pride. Black educators, clergymen, and the press frequently referred to Negro heroes of America’s past wars. After the Civil War, the U.S, Army maintained four regular Negro regiments –the 9th and 10th Calvary and the 24th and 25th Infantry. These units included veterans of the civil war and the frontier Indian fighting regiments. Retired sergeants often became respected, conservative leaders in their communities. This history set a foundation for black support and involvement in America’s future wars.
In To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Bob Ewell assumes the racist, biased, and unjust motivations in order to retain any scrap of dignity in Maycomb County. Bob Ewell sees that he has been bested, and that the town knows the truth, however, he is able to abuse his racial standpoint, using racism to scapegoat his actions. The town, even though they all are aware that Bob Ewell is guilty, has been racially obligated to oppress Tom Robinson, due to the racist roots embedded in the town.
One of the first groups that come to mind when people think of African-Americans in World War II is the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of all African-American fighters who led the charge for equal rights of all races in World War II. They were the first African-Americans...
“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest” Ellie Wiesel. Readers may find the amount of injustice in Harper lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird a little shocking. This could be why it’s such a popular book. People like the suspense of knowing someone’s right, but still being found guilty for something they did not do. There are many times throughout the book when people are powerless to prevent injustice but they still protest it. This shows that even when people unjustly punish there should always be someone to protest it. The theme of injustice is a common one in harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, whether it be through racism, misinformation, or Arrogance.
Hypocrisy is as much a part of Maycomb’s society as church and community spirit. For example, Mrs. Merriweather talks about saving the poor Mruans from Africa, but she thinks black people in her community are a disgrace (p.234). The hypocrisy of this teaching is shown as soon as she mentions the word ‘persecution’. This is due to the fact that she herself is persecuting the black people of Maycomb by not raising an eyebrow at the killing of innocent black men. Furthermore, it is obvious Bob Ewell is abusive to his daughter, Mayella, and that he is the one who violated her, not Tom Robinson (p.178). Since there is such hypocrisy in Maycomb, there are excuses made for whites. The jury probably thinks that if they pronounce Tom innocent the citizens will mock them as they do to Atticus. Harper Lee uses hypocrisy to show how the people of Maycomb are so engulfed in a variety of elements that they unknowingly complete acts of unjustified discrimination.