Tom’s Case
Today was the day. The day I was waiting for; the day that I anticipated for months. I still remember the day when the judge called me in, when he appointed me as Tom’s lawyer. Most men would refuse; most men would do anything to escape that commitment. That’s just how society works. Til this day I do not understand. What is so different about the Negroes from us? Skin colour? Say, one day I colour my skin black. Does that mean my name is no longer Atticus Finch? Does that mean I am no longer a lawyer? That simple piece of common sense that everyone in Maycomb County seems to possess, even the youngest of children seems to have, everyone. Yet it evades me.
Why? This has been on my mind for years. And today more than ever. Tom Robinson, a perfectly amiable young man, who has absolutely no evidence against him, is convicted in the first place. Surely, anyone can see that. Even my children, who came to the court. Even children of no more than 10 years old can understand this so called ‘social protocol’ find fault, why is this still happening in Maycomb? I talked to Jack a year or so back about this. I still remember specifically what I said. I asked him: “Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand… I just hope Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town.” Scout heard that. I intended for that to happen. The way the youngest of children are being influenced by this belief that somehow Negroes are different from us. That is brainwashing, I’m sure. No, I cannot allow my own children to think that way. I am born and bred in Maycomb County, I know, but sometimes, I am mighty ashamed of this town. The least I can do is make sure Scout grows up having a right mindset, Jem is getting more mature, he can easily understand.
But then again, I know I am not an ‘ideal’ father to Scout and Jem. And there might be little I can do to change back what the town has told them. But I have to do what I can to set this right, and with hope on my side, my children will listen and respect me, though I am not the ‘typical’ father. I know that from the countless times they came and asked me what ‘I can do’. Well, at least they asked Cal, and Miss Maudie. Yes, I confess, I am not one of those fathers that are several years my junior who run around, shoot, play football on weekends. No, I’m too old for that. I used to shoot. Ha! That could count to be one of my greatest achievements when I was young: ‘One-Shot Finch’ or ‘Ol’ One-Shot’. I used to be proud of that: the way I could hit everything with one shot. No, that was unfair. God gave me the gift of marksmanship, and it should be treasured, not used to take advantage of poor animals. No, I will not shoot, I will not shoot until I had to. I resorted to other pastimes. I still play checkers though. And I read more, it is those kind of diversions that can distract me from the reality that is happening. That is the negative side of being a lawyer. Helping in vain for the right person, helping that person achieve justice. But when it is a lost cause, it is the worst feeling you will ever get. The feeling of when you stand there helpless, when your client is convicted and you can do nothing else. That is the reason why I gave up criminal law. All I could do for my clients was stand there as they were convicted. This is similar to Tom Robinson’s case. He is a Negro. He is a lost cause. One white man’s word against him, and he is gone. Even with all the evidence on his side, he is gone. It will be one of the worst feelings I have yet to face, but I cannot just stand and watch. I needed to at least get the truth out. Let everyone know, how not all Negroes are immoral. “I know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men.” They may believe me, but they won’t stand up. I know deep in my heart that he won’t be acquitted. But a man can still hope, hope for justice to rise above the racial prejudice that is in this society. A man can only hope…
