Prejudice is like a sore that will not heal. There is no way to terminate it, and it lingers within the air waiting to unfold itself for eternity. It is when one person judges another due to superficial characteristics, outward show, or customs. Harper Lee is the novelist of To Kill a Mockingbird, a book that without a doubt portrays prejudice and the effects it has on the individuals enclosed by it. Consequently, prejudice is accountable for much social injustice. Tom Robinson was a Negro in To Kill a Mockingbird. He was accused of an appalling transgression identified as rape. Although he was without a doubt innocent, there was no bolt from the blue when the jury had announced him guilty of all charges brought against him. The fact of the matter was, he was black and the claimant was white. Any Negro would be considered on the wrong side of the law regardless of what the evidence or lack of evidence was. Evidently, there was social injustice in the courtroom where Tom Robinson was prosecuted, and he was yet another victim of racial detestation. Arthur "Boo" Radley was the recluse in To Kill a Mockingbird. Although he was seen only once in a Blue Moon and scarcely acknowledged, the townspeople already had his qualities pinpointed, or so they thought. There were inaccurate rumors about Boo’s appearance, actions, and his unspecified immoral ways. The set of circumstances was that Boo was diverse from the other people in Maycomb County, and they did not identify with him. To make up for what they did not recognize, they conjured up lies and ridiculed him in his absence. This category of prejudice is caused by anything that is bizarre or abnormal. Mr. Radley chose to lodge within his residence. That is as uncomplicated as it sounds, and so his preference to dwell inside should have been respected. It is no other person's concern what another does with his or her life. To judge someone without knowing the facts is a lack of common sense and pure ignorance. A key character in To Kill a Mockingbird that might not have been recognized as being a victim of prejudice was Atticus Finch. He was a tolerant, upper middle class individual who would perform his responsibilities to the preeminent of his potential whether it was playing golf or defending a black man accused of rape. This statement is actually pertaining to Tom Robinson. Atticus was helping him get the best possible defense that he could for the duration of the trial. Atticus believed that all men, even Negroes, were innocent until proven guilty. Of course back then, that was not always the case. Poor Atticus may have earned admiration by some people for taking up a case that was clearly going to be defeated, but he also was judged inadequately for representing a black man against a white woman’s word. Atticus was considered to be betraying his own kind only because he was an unbiased person. Therefore, prejudice can be a nonsensical thing to understand, and why one can judge without knowing the facts is completely irrational. Atticus was a casualty of injustice. Prejudice is liable for much of the social injustice experienced today. In spite of the fact that some people do not continuously feel the intense effects of it, prejudice can be quite injurious to others psychologically and in the flesh. There is always some diminutive characteristic that can trigger this bad aroma to arise, but the most excellent way to wipe the floor with it, is to pay no heed to it. Everything is easier said than done, but this is in actual fact, the paramount guidance that can be relayed. To wrestle prejudice is much more complicated on the emotions and events of the wrestler and can lead to unsmiling anguish. Prejudice has been around since the earliest men roamed the earth and will continue to loom overhead and underfoot in the future. |