Atticus Injustice

Words: 865
Pages: 4

The Threat to Justice Everywhere Martin Luther King, American minister and activist, said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” His quote shows that injustice affects anyone and everyone, and demonstrates the importance of a collective effort against social and racial injustice. The book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, shows the fight between Atticus Finch and Maycomb County for racial and social equality. Atticus defends Tom Robinson, a black man who was groundlessly accused of rape, in front of an all-white jury. Atticus teaches his children, Scout and Jem, to never discriminate based on someone's race or social class. Racism …show more content…
In the trial between Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus had such compelling evidence against Mr. Ewell that the all-white jury was prolonging the trial. Atticus never yields to racism and social injustice, and Scout is told by Atticus that, “...cheatin‘ a colored man is ten times worse than cheatin’ a white man,” (229). In his trial, normative influence affected the results because the jurors wanted to be accepted by Maycomb County's racial ideals and beliefs. Normative Influence is when a person or group does not agree with the opinion of another group or person, but they conform to be accepted. The jury knew that Tom Robinson was wrongly accused of rape, but he was black so numerous people in the jury were biased. Despite Atticus’ evidence against Mr. Ewell and Maybella, the jury sacrificed their beliefs to fit the expected outcome. Postliminary to the trial, Miss Maudie tells the children, “I mean this town. They’re perfectly willing to let him do what they’re too afraid to do themselves.”