Prejudice Against Black People example essay topic

Prejudice meaning pre-judging someone and having an unwarranted bias occurs often in today's society and has been around since the beginning of time. Prejudice can effect people's decisions and have an unfair impact on society. The text 'To kill a mocking-bird' written by Harper Lee and the movie 'Philadelphia' directed by Jonathon Demme explore this idea thoroughly. The book to 'To kill a mocking-bird' was written in the 1930's and explores prejudice against black people. The book is portrayed through the eyes of two innocent children and shows the "irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South [of America] in the thirties. The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina of one mans struggle for justice".

A black man is found guilty for the rape of a white woman even though there is no evidence to support it. What does that say about society? The movie 'Philadelphia' explores prejudice against having AIDS [also being homosexual]. In the film, Andrew Beckett (played by Tom Hanks) is a lawyer with a huge opportunity as a lawyer in front of him. When he finds out he had AIDS he chose not to tell his firm mentor about either his disease or his sexual orientation. Andrew is fired for, as his firm members claim, 'incompetence' however we can see it is more.

Andrew was fired because he had AIDS and was assumed gay (at this time AIDS was know the 'gay disease'). The movie shows Andrews struggle to be treated equally. Both these texts as we can see relate to prejudice in the way that it effects peoples discussions and therefore has an unfair impact on society". Doesn't make it right, you can't convict a man on evidence like the - you cant!

[Jem]" "You couldn't, but they could and did... [Atticus]" - Atticus and Jem, in reference to the jury convicting an innocent man because he is black. However in to 'to kill a mockingbird' the prejudice extends beyond the colour of the skin to your background and last name. "The thing is, you can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines, you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he " ll never be like Jem.

Besides there's a drinking streak in that family a mile wide. Finch women aren't interested in that sort of people. [Aunty Alexandra]"Aun-ty, she aint nine yet". [Jem]"She may as well learn it now". [Aunty Alexandra] This quote shows that prejudice can start from the cradle depending on how you are brought up.

Prejudice is handed down from generation to generation. We can tell from 'to kill a mocking-bird' how difficult it is to break some prejudices even in the face of reason and logic and once again we see how prejudice has effects on the discussions made. In 'Philadelphia' the prejudice against homosexuals is so strong even Andrew Beckett's lawyer [Joe Miller played by Denzel Washington] doesn't like them". Some of these people make me sick. But a law as been broken, you do remember the law, don't you?" - Joe Miller in relation to homosexuals". Sir, would you be more comfortable in a study room?" [Librarian]"No.

Would it make you more comfortable?" [Andrew] - Andrew and the Librarian talking after the librarian discover he has AIDS. From this quote we can see the unfair impact on society, in this case mainly Andrew Beckett, that prejudice has.