Racism and its deep roots in the history of the United States Throughout the history of the United States, white Americans often viewed other races as inferior (or of color). Even though slavery had been abolished, laws and practices inhibited the basic rights to which African Americans were entitled. Thus the mentality of racism and prejudice persisted in people's minds. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is set in Maycomb County, Alabama, in the 1930s. The citizens of Maycomb County abide by a number of segregation laws and practices. Maycomb County is a typical homogeneous and strictly divided region in the southern United States. The main character Scout is challenged with concepts regarding morality and ethics when dealing with racism that occurs on different levels. Aspects of racism and prejudice, both in the novel and in personal experience, greatly influence perception and character. Unfortunately, judgments about racism and prejudice are inevitable in every individual's mind. To this day, legal policies are instituted to prevent the integration of Asian Americans into U.S. society. We humans are essentially the same race because we are 99% genetically identical. In To Kill a Mockingbird issues of racism and prejudice occur throughout the novel. An example of where racism and prejudice obviously occurs in the novel is when an African American man was accused of raping a white girl. Many Maycomb citizens were upset that their state legislator, Atticus, did not refuse to defend the lawsuit. Before the trial began, people in Maycomb had called Atticus names and made racist comments. Scout, having belonged to a non-racist family, is alarmed that her classmates and people around her called Atticus, an "African-American lover." He had almost g... half the paper... the injustices imposed, the future obstacles regarding the race would finally be resolved and compromised. In To Kill a Mockingbird the concepts of racism and prejudice are implicit throughout all aspects of society in Maycomb County, Alabama. This novel shows that individuals must be aware that racism and prejudice occur in their own mind or judgment, otherwise injustice will prevail over moral conscience. Racism and prejudice may be small at first, such as verbal abuse and stereotypical statements, but can escalate to terrifying extremes such as lynching and perhaps reverse discrimination. Works Cited "Committee of 100". Committee of 100. Np, nd Web. May 28, 2014. .Fremon, David K.. Jim Crow Laws and Racism in American History. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers, 2000. Print.Lee, Harper, To Kill a Mockingbird, Warner Books, 1960.