To Kill a Mockingbird is about a black man who is accused of sexually assaulting a white woman. There is a man named Atticus Finch who is the lawyer who defends this black man named Tom Robinson. Atticus Finch is colorblind when it comes to race and he even considers his black house worker as a part of the family, this character’s name is Calpurnia. She has many rights that most houseworkers do not have and yet she still sits in the backseat of Atticus Finch’s car due to racial issues in this time era.
Calpurnia is black woman who works for Atticus, the lawyer for Tom, and she is respected by Atticus even though she is of color. In the 1930’s, which is the time period this movie/book takes place, people of color were not respected by white men and women. Even though Calpurnia is respected by Atticus she still has to sit in the back of his car. She has to sit in the back because of societies discrimination at this time.
Atticus appears not to be a racist and respects both Tom and Calpurnia even though they are black. Calpurnia is black just like Tom so they both have to follow certain social rules and governmental laws.
Just because Atticus respects Calpurnia does not have to follow the rules of this community and of this time frame. She more than likely sits in the back as respect to Atticus and for her own safety. White men were not afraid of killing a black man or woman at this time. In the 1930’s the KKK was still around and there were other white people who could get away with murdering a black person. If a white man went on trial for killing a black man they would more than likely get away with it because only white men were allowed on the jury at this time.
This is part of the reason on why Tom was declared guilty of assaulting Maella. The jury on his case were all white men and the court was filled with many racist white men