In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, there is much tension between blacks and whites. Atticus Finch, one of the most respected men in Maycomb County, Alabama, is one of the few white citizens who believe that race is not important. Justice is defined as the principle of moral rightness. Atticus Finch strives for justice and equity for all people. He is an honest person who sees all people equally no matter what their race or beliefs. .
The first evidence of Atticus" fairness is his servant and cook, Calpurnia. Calpurnia is a black woman who spends most of her time with the Finch family. Unlike many other people in Maycomb County, Atticus treats Calpurnia with the utmost respect and dignity. Atticus trusts Calpurnia, which is made evident when he allows his two children to accompany Calpurnia to her church in the black side of town. Atticus looks beyond her skin color and allows Calpurnia to help raise his children. "Our battles were one sided. Calpurnia always won, mainly because Atticus always took her side. She had been with us ever since Jem was born, and I had felt her tyrannical presence as long as I could remember" (10 Lee). Atticus allows Calpurnia, a black woman, to become a sort of mother-figure for his children, which was extremely rare for those times. Atticus saw beneath the color of Calpurnia's skin.
Another example of Atticus" just view on racism was his disapproval of the word "nigger." Although it was commonly used, Atticus never said the derogatory word, and got upset when either of his children used it. .
"[Cecil Jacobs] had announced in the schoolyard the day before that Scout Finch's daddy defended niggers. .
"Do you defend niggers, Atticus?" I asked him that evening.
"Of course I do. Don't say nigger, Scout. That's common".
""s what everybody at school says.".
"From now on, it"ll be everybody less one" (79 Lee).
Even though "nigger" was used as quite often as a malevolent word towards blacks, Atticus felt it was not right, so he forbade his children to use it.
