Mockingbird Monday: What To Kill a Mockingbird Can Teach us about Political Correctness
When Atticus comes face-to-face with the political, religious, and social demon of racism, he does not mince his words. In a conversation with his brother Jack, he calls it “Maycomb’s usual disease”; and when he is forced to confront it at the trial of the black man falsely accused of rape and assault, he calmly and evenly delivers the truth of the accusers’ guilt to the jury: he notes that Mayella, a white woman, has kissed a black man—something that...
Civility and compassion in public discourse? Walking away from the Last Word (an excerpt from TMP)
I listened to a fellow educatorlamentlast week that ourstudents no longer understand how to civilly disagree with one another. I thought about his comment this weekend as I observed the newsfrom Wisconsin and watched the Sunday morning punditsyell ateach otherover the direction of our country’s politics. More than anytime I can remember, we seem to be fighting to have the perfect soundbite, the winning argument, thelast (and loudest) word. I am beginning to think the most...
Would a younger Atticus have changed the story?
“The Parable of Atticus Finch” was one of the more engaging chapters to write because it allowed me to dive in and examine the attributes of the character that, for many, is the reason they love To Kill a Mockingbird. Exploring Atticus helped me to realize how much faith was a guiding force in his actions. He tells his daughter Scout that he couldn’t go to church and worship God if he didn’t defend Tom Robinson. Another of my favorite authors, Stephen King,...
