1930's Discrimination Quotes

Words: 1315
Pages: 6
Open Document
How Far Have We Come Discrimination in Alabama in the 1930’s , the righteousness of white men, telling women and black people they did not deserve the same rights and respect as themselves. Racism, and sexism, are the words we use today to describe such discrimination. However in the 1930’s it wasn’t looked at as unfair, it was perfectly fair. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee the reader sees discrimination in the two major ways, sexism and racism. These discriminations come into play all throughout the book, and lead us to ask many important questions. What was discrimination like in the 1930’s? What is discrimination like today in our modern day society? How far have we come from these types of discrimination? Sexism led Scout to believe …show more content…
Racism is the biggest display of discrimination in the book and we hear a lot about how unfair it was for the black community. For example Atticus tells Scout “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life”. (Pg. 295) In this quote Atticus is talking to Scout about how unfairly Black men are treated. He is saying everyday you can go outside and see a white man getting privileges that are taken from black men. Atticus continues to talk to Scout about racism and says. “In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins.” (Pg.295) Atticus is telling Scout no matter what the circumstances, even if it is obvious the black man is innocent the white man’s word will overpower the innocence. We see this statement in action during Tom Robinson's case. Thomas is innocent and it is easy to say, however a white family’s reputation is on the line and even though this family is very low class they are still white and are favored heavily by the jury. Thomas Robinson ends up convicted of a crime he did not commit and this would eventually lead to his death. Discrimination is not only for the black men, white men are also hated on for supporting a black man. We see an example of this when Scout’s cousin says “I guess it ain't your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I'm here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family.” (Pg.110) He uses the term “nigger-lover” to describe Atticus, for he is defending a black man in court. Racism has gone so far in this society you don’t have to be black to be part of the hate you can even just hang out with black people and be accused of being a “nigger-lover” which back then is a terrible
Show More

Related Documents: 1930's Discrimination Quotes

Harlem Renaissance Research Paper

The Harlem Renaissance During the 1920’s, or the Roaring Twenties, was famous and known mostly for its eccentric, experimental fashion and flourishing economic growth for Americans. Did you know that many influential movements for African-American citizens took place during the 1920’s to 1930’s as well? During the Great Migration, where African-Americans moved from the South to the industrialized cities in the North, the increase of music and writing influenced by both black and queer cultures had…

Words 576 - Pages 3

How does Steinbeck present the character of Crooks in chapter 4? Essay

Crooks. Crooks isn’t shown as a main character of the story, but is given much light in this chapter. Crooks is a black man set on a 1930’s ranch, working as a stable buck. Steinbeck presents the Character of Crooks to us as he wouldn’t of been considered during the times of the ‘Great Depression’ and shows us the negative stereotypes of black people in an American 1930’s society. Crooks is a minority character introduced in chapter 4. Page 66 reads “negro stable buck.” Crooks’ character is introduced…

Words 1640 - Pages 7

Maya Angelou's I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” This quote by Maya Angelou showcases her voice of resilience and is one of the reasons she is celebrated. Growing up in the the south in the 1930’s and 40’s Angelou experienced hardships such as racial and gender discrimination, and a rough childhood. Angelou is well known for her many autobiographies of love and her struggles. In the face of racial prejudice and sexual abuse, Maya Angelou is a voice of resilience for overcoming…

Words 1004 - Pages 5

Does Racism Still Occur In To Kill A Mockingbird

when you hear the word Racist? That it’s okay? Is it acceptable? We are all equal no matter our race, beliefs or the colour of our skin. In Harper Lee’s novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ it shows racial discrimination against Tom Robinson because of the colour of his skin. In Maycomb, Alabama around the 1930’s a person who was ‘black’ was considered the lower-class citizen and was not to be excepted, and it is still partly like this today. Us humans all need to learn to love not to hate. Is racism still…

Words 608 - Pages 3

Lennie And Crooks Discrimination

Individuals Coping with Racial/Disability Discrimination “You’re a retard!” Did that surprise you there? For most people, it did not really hurt as it is thought of more as lame insult. However for others, it is a whole different story. In John Steinbeck's novel Of Mice and Men, Lennie and Crooks are different from the rest of the characters.The story takes place in the 1930’s, during the Great Depression. During that time, the colored had no rights and the disabled were not respected.…

Words 897 - Pages 4

How Does Harper Lee Use Social Injustice In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee it is set in the 1930’s, in a time period where social inequalities are presented in United States; an era where the social injustices portrayed are based upon the standards of one's personal perspective and popular opinion. Harper Lee writes this novel through dramatic and sad conflicts in an old town known as Maycomb. Characters such as Dolphus Raymond who is an outcast in society, Aunt Alexandra who judges within her own race, and Tom Robinson whose…

Words 776 - Pages 4

Ira Katznelson's When Affirmative Action Was White

Ira Katznelson’s book When Affirmative Action Was White is an untold story about the racial inequality that plunged to the lowest level ever in the twentieth century. Southern Blacks faced racial discrimination during the New Deal and Fair Deal eras in the 1930’s and 1940’s especially when it came to employment. The former south state slaves saw little change when aid programs were organized by the New Deal agencies. A new government policy called affirmative action were established by President…

Words 841 - Pages 4

Differences In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” The short story, “Of Mice and Men,” written by John Steinbeck, takes place in the late 1930’s while discrimination of almost everything besides the healthy white male existed. In this story, two complete opposites embark on a journey to achieve their American dream of owning a small farm with plenty of crops and animals. Along the way, they observe various forms of prejudice, some…

Words 1184 - Pages 5

TKAM ESSAY

eliminated. In To Kill a Mockingbird, author Harper Lee illustrates the prejudice found in a small Alabamian town through the subjects of social classes, gender, and race. The first type of prejudice is social prejudice, which is a form of discrimination based solely on an individual’s social status. The townspeople are more respected and are considered to be of a higher social class due to their occupations and wealth. The book focuses on two farming families, the Cunningham’s and the Ewell’s…

Words 1050 - Pages 5

Discrimination In John Steinbeck's Of Mice And Men

topics of racism, sexism and discriminate against mental or physical disability. Of Mice and Men communicates this theme of discrimination by the use of speech and how the characters act through the characterisation of the characters, and the setting of the novel.. To have more attention drawn to these issues I believe is so important because we are still faced discrimination, which is completely wrong and Steinbeck presents that unless you were a ‘normal’, white man, you were treated differently…

Words 1618 - Pages 7