“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, is a novel that explores racial injustices and injustices that were prominent around this time in the 1930s. This story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama, and focuses primarily on the view of a character named Scout Finch, who is the daughter of Atticus Finch and the sister of Jem Finch. All three of these characters are crucial to the entire story in many different ways. Atticus Finch is a lawyer who is involved in a case surrounding a black man named Tom Robinson. Tom is on trial for the alleged rape of Ms. Mayella Ewell, a white woman. This trail is the centerpiece of the entire story and really conveys a powerful message of racial injustice that is prevalent during this time. Unfortunately, despite Atticus's …show more content…
Overall, this trial is a symbol of racial injustice and prejudice that was prominent in the 1930s and forces the reader to understand what racism was like during this time and the determinants that followed. This novel, in the context of Black Lives Matter, is important as a coming of age work that speaks to continued systemic racism in America because it involves many different themes surrounding the concept of racism and prejudices, still experienced to this day. The trial of Tom Robinson is one amazing example of how the US justice system is influenced by racial bias, with how Tom was unrightfully convicted of the rape of a young white woman, solely because of his race and no other evidence. The novel truly represents the ways in which systemic racism continues to impact various aspects of society, including the US justice system and social interactions between communities. Another great example from the novel that outlines continued systemic racism in America would be the steps that are taken to confront the actions of systemic racism. This is noticed through the character of Atticus Finch, who stands up for what is equal in justice, despite facing negativity from his