Later on, in chapter twenty two, Jem was wondering how they could've convicted him guilty, and Atticus responds, "I don't know, but they did it. They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it-- seems that only children weep." Atticus was explaining that only the children see the injustice, while everyone else sees the color of a person. Innocent minds, like the ones of children, know when something is right or wrong, but older minds, like the ones of white adults, don't see the real crime. They just discriminate. An example of this is when Atticus walked into the kitchen, and saw all the things that people had left for him and his family. Tom Robinson's father had brought them a chicken. And many other blacks brought them food that would last for a while. During these times, blacks didn't own much, but yet they still gave much of what they had to Atticus and his family just to show their respect and gratitude towards his effort. This court and trial exposes each race's apprectiation for making a change, whether it's thanking by standing, or by not wanting it at all and staying still.
-Nicole Haney
Children, or innocent minds are not tainted by society's 'status quo.' In Maycomb, and all around the United States prejudice and discrimination against blacks and other people of color was common during these times. I agree with your opinion that before society and culture influences the children, they have no judgment when it comes to skin color or ethnicity. They simply judge based on their morals, and decide what is right and what is wrong uninfluenced by biases. However as one grows older many lose the innocence of their mind and judge with prejudice. Unfortunately we see only a few adults, such as Atticus and Miss Maudie who do not judge based on someone's race/skin color.
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