Maycomb and Scottsboro Uproar
Rape and Racism
Understanding the Proposition
Racism has played a tremendous part in history, ever since the start of time. The color of your skin determined many things. Such as social status, job opportunities, living conditions, etc.... Numerous inhumane events, such as the Holocaust, have happened throughout history due to racism. Racism isn't just perceived as genocides and killings, but false accusations of a crime. This is where Tom Robinson and the Scottsboro boys play a part.
The 9 Scottsboro boys
Olen Montgomery (aged 17)
Clarence Norris (aged 19)
Haywood Patterson (aged 18)
Ozie Powell (aged 16)
Willie Roberson (aged 16)
Charlie Weems (aged 16)
Eugene Williams (aged 13)
Andy Wright (aged 19)
Roy Wright (aged 13)
All falsely charged for rape by Ruby Bates and Victoria Price.
Stop racism
Try to put yourself in these young men's position. Imagine being wrongly accused of rape? Insane to think of something like that but that's the end result of people being racist towards someone who's skin isn't the same color as theirs.
Tom Robinson
Age 25. Arrested and sentenced to death on the accusation of rape by Mayella Ewell.
How it happened and the two trails
There are several distinct difference between the group of boys and Tom Robinson. The boys had no relationship with the women, while Tom had acknowledged her before the apparent "raping" took place. Another difference between the two is Tom's case had a true suspect, and is was the victims father, while on the other hand the group of boys did not commit the crime. A difference that stand out from the others is that Tom was shot and killed, while the 9 were sentenced free, and one escaped unscathed.