Racism: Then and Now

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Recommended: History of racism in America

Throughout history in America there has always been the idea of racism. When Americans think of racism, they usually think of slavery and that racism is no longer a problem in America. However, this is not the case. Racism is still very apparent in America. It is true that since the end of slavery, the U.S. has made great strides towards becoming a less racist country. In reality, racism will never be extinct. In today’s society, all American citizens of all races have the same rights as one another, yet there is still racism. Racism can be linked directly to stereotypical mindsets of certain groups of people. It is human nature to make conclusions about other people, this is what leads to racism. Today’s racism is not limited to whites and blacks, it has come to define many different groups and races. Although America has made improvements since the 1930’s, America is still a racist country.

All through the book To Kill a Mockingbird there is the recurrence of racism. One of the main reasons this is evident is because it takes place in Alabama. It is well known that Alabama is notorious for racism, especially involving whites and blacks. Racism can be seen in every type of person in this story. Various men, women, and children have views concerning race. Numerous times Jem and Scout are confronted about their father, who at the time was in the middle of defending Tom Robinson. These people include family, Mrs. Dubose, and kids at school. All of these people are very different, yet they share similar beliefs. All of this collectively shows that the majority of Maycomb County is against Atticus defending Tom Robinson (Lee). The book also illustrates racism through the justice system. As Atticus is defending Tom, it is cl...

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Lee, Harper. To kill a mockingbird. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1960. Print.

"Racial Segregation in the American South." . Global Issues, 1 Jan. 2007. Web. 29 Apr.

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Rosenberg, Jennifer . "100 Famous African-American Men and Women of the 20th

Century." About.com 20th Century History. About.com, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2014. .

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