One of the first books I read that opened my eyes to prejudice was the Pulitzer prize winning To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Many of you have read the book or seen the movie so I won't go into detail about the story line other than to point out that two prejudices were spotlighted. The story took place in Alabama during the Great Depression. A white lawyer agrees to defend a black man falsely accused of raping a white young woman. Despite the fact that the lawyer has strong evidence supporting the accused's innocence, an all white jury finds him guilty. The story unfolds through the eyes of the lawyer's young daughter. While this trial is going on she and her brother are involved in a situation of their own involving a neighbor who has not been seen outside his house for years. They call him Boo and make fun of him and make up stories about him. In the end, Boo ends up saving the children from the white girl's father who is angry at their father for defending the black man. The children end up learning important life lessons - hatred and prejudice exist and can cloud your vision and keep you from seeing the truth (the case their father was trying) and prejudice evolves from not seeing the individual as a person and making hurtful assumptions about the person without taking the time to get to know him (the case of the misunderstood neighbor).
I remember reading this book and thinking what an unjust system for the man on trial and feeling so bad for him. The legal system at that time in the South was not fair as was evidenced by the fact that the jury was all white and it would have been unthinkable to find that the white woman had actually been the one who propositioned the black man (which is actually what had happened). Our justice system today has come a long way in securing the rights of every individual to a fair trial by a jury of his peers.
In the case of the neighbor who was cognitively challenged, the children were making him into someone he was not without even having met him. How often do we misinterpret actions and make stereotypical judgments?
Ultimately, the little girl also learned to look for the best in others, to be honest with herself about her own flaws, and to look at each person as an individual with life experiences that shape his actions.
If you haven't read the book yet, I would encourage you to do so.
Lee, Harper. (1960). To kill a mockingbird. New York, NY: Harper & Row.
I remember reading that book and feeling the same way. It is all too often in society that we misinterpret actions and make stereotypical judgments based on the way someone looks or acts. Great post, I completely forgot this book until I read your post but it is a great example.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne,
ReplyDeleteTeachers should encourage diversity and equality in the classroom. When students are exposed to diverse materials, they are more likely to understand and accept others. If bias is promoted in the class, then students will learn to be biased. Therefore, teachers have an impact on student development and student ideals.
Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great illustration of prejudice and how it can destroy and impact many and the life lessons that can come from it.
I read the book and enjoyed the movie. I though was trying to remember if my own children have seen the movie. It will be one I will rent.... for them.
As always your blog was thought provoking.
Millie