"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

(Harper Lee. To Kill A Mockingbird)

On Saturday, my husband and I saw “To Kill A Mockingbird” on stage at the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario.  The play is based on the book of the same name and it is an American classic.  Narrated by Scout Finch who is the main female character, she recounts her childhood growing up with her father, Atticus and her brother, Jem, along with an extended group of characters.  Atticus is a lawyer who teaches his children many life lessons, particularly during the time when he defends a black man who is accused of raping and beating a white woman. 

Set in 1935, the issues of race relations and the perception of black people, particularly black men as being dangerous, as being the ‘other’ were captured in great detail and description by Lee.  As I was watching the play, I was deeply saddened to acknowledge that these issues are relevant even more so today.    To Kill a Mockingbird influenced me greatly when I first read it and it continues its influence on me to this day.  Atticus Finch is probably one of the most revered characters in fiction and perhaps my favorite.  The lessons he teaches his children, not just by telling them but also by showing them, are lessons we should all learn and teach future generations.  The opening quote above is probably the most famous line said by Atticus to Scout. 

Sometimes we feel like we are fighting a tide of racial and gender stereotypes.  There are so many of them and so many people believe that these stereotypes are true of all the people in the particular group to which they are referring.  Where are the Atticus Finches out there to debunk these dangerous stereotypes? 

Don’t we know better?  Don’t we know better that all races and genders are equal and everyone deserves to be heard and respected?  Is that my naiveté?  Is it just fiction?  I hope not but I worry that is becoming the exception and not the rule. 

Shades readers, if you have never read this amazing book, please pick it up today.  The movie, starring Gregory Peck as Atticus, is also a great rendering of Lee’s story. 

I will leave you with one last quote.  Scout has just met their neighbour, Boo Radley, who is quite private and who Scout and Jem have created many scary stories about. 

Scout: "Atticus, he was real nice"
Atticus: "Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."

So simple.

Shades readers, let’s be kind to each other.