Tom Robinson Injustice

On March 25, 1931, nine African American teens ranging from ages 9-18

were accused of the rape of two white teens. The boys even faced a lynch mob at one point, and

was almost given the death penalty. These teens were seen to be victims of the injustice of Jim

Crow laws. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a mockingbird Tom Robinson further represents the

injustice of Jim Crow laws. He is faced with the crime of an alleged rape. However a biased jury,

no substantial evidence, and and the possibly of another attacker who was never pursued, leads

to the inference that Tom Robinson received an unfair trial.

Tom Robinson was not able to receive a fair trial, since he jury was all white which created bias within the court. On page 91 of chapter 9 Atticus explained “The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells’.” Atticus said this due to the fact that a white male’s word in the 1930’s could surpass the word of any female. Especially ones from an African American male. Furthermore, Jim Crow laws had swept the South at this point and were state as well as local laws that helped enforce segregation. This helped to uphold slavery within the social system for African Americans.

Additional, Tom Robinsons did not have substantial evidence that would lead to his conviction. In chapter 17 on page 169 Atticus stated “’did you call a doctor, Sheriff? Did anybody call a doctor’ no sir repeated Mr. Tate”. Tom Robinsons whole case was