Due to the attitude throughout the United States in the 1930s, Tom Robinson could not get a fair trial because of the racism, discrimination and prejudice in Maycomb. "As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you ever forget it - whenever a white man does that to a black man, doesnt matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash." Racism is shown through Tom Robinson's trial, and his falsely determined verdict. Discrimination is shown through Tom himself and his word over a white woman's. And finally, prejudice is shown with Boo Radley and the horrible things the people of Maycomb have to say about him. Racism is presented in this story in many ways, but the most outshining example is with Tom Robinson. …show more content…
For example, he went out of his way to help Mayella with something in her house. She had made a move on him when her father saw, so she accused Tom of rape so she was not to be seen as a white girl going for a black man. Before Tom's trial, a mob tries to kill Tom to send a message to other African-Americans in the community and to assert white domination. All of the evidence Atticus had shown at the trial had clearly shown that Tom was innocent, but the jury said he was guilty. Because of the discrimination in Maycomb in the 1930s, black people always got the short end of the stick. During the trial, every African-American who was there to support Tom had to sit up in the balcony where it was hot. Discrimination is also shown where Tom is used as Bob Ewell's scapegoat so he didn't get in trouble for beating Mayella. The jurors thought that was something Tom would do because he's