To Kill A Mockingbird or not to To Kill A Mockingbird? That is the Question....

     In my opinion, To Kill a Mockingbird is an American Classic.  This novel by Harper Lee contains several themes that are relevant to life in today's society.  Some of these themes include equal rights for all people, regardless of color, creed, or background, and avoiding racism.

     To Kill a Mockingbird is based around the central conflict of avoiding racism.  Tom Robinson is accused of rape and is put on trial for his life.  Atticus Finch, a role model for each of us, does his best to defend him.  Atticus is a kind, gentle man who understands the dangers and problems of racism. 
     He also teaches his children accordingly.  He once tells Scout that "It's not okay to hate anybody."  Although he is a brilliant lawyer and defends Tom perfectly, Tom is convicted and sentenced to death with no evidence to support his conviction. He is convicted merely because he was a black man.  Even after being defeated, Atticus does his best to aquit Tom, to no avail.  Knowing the futility of trying to get fair treatment from his white tormentors, Tom tries to escape and is brutally killed.
     Another example of this theme against racial prejudice is when Scout learns about Adolf Hitler at school. Her teacher says she hates Hitler for persecuting Jews, when she lives in a racist community.  Scout later inquires, "How can you hate Hitler so bad an' then turn around and be ugly at folks right at home?"  From the innocent and pure paradigm of a child, she sees that racism is ridiculous-we are all people!  This is evident in her comment to her big brother: "Naw, Jem, I think there's just one kind of folks.  Folks."  This simple comment is a truth that few people in our world understand-except for children.

    Later, in the classroom, the great irony of this classroom surfaces.  The teacher talks about Hitler persecuting the Jews (racism) and then says that he is evil.  She then tells the students that they are lucky to live in a democracy (also plagued by racism!).  Scout gives her an accurate definition of democracy: " Equal rights for all, special privileges for none."  The teacher praises her and says she is correct.  Sadly, even in this great nation run by democracy, racism and lack of basic human rights was a major issue-and still is.

     Although racial discrimination is illegal, racism is still rampant in our society.  However, many high schools remove TKAM from their curriculum to be replaced by "modern" literature.  I think that this is a huge mistake.  TKAM has made me think about my own standpoint on racism and human rights, and realize that it is very, very wrong. This is still a huge factor in society today.  I love TKAM and it has helped me to understand what I need to do and believe about these issues.  I think that removing this book from schools is a huge mistake.  In my opinion To Kill a Mockingbird will remain an American classic an a favorite of mine forever.