Social Inequality

            Social inequality is an issue in our society that has been existent since the beginnings of mankind.  Throughout history, many attempts have been made to eliminate this worldwide problem; however, the greed of men has always prevented the establishment of such universal equilibrium.  Over the years, people have begun to ponder whether or not social equality is even attainable.  Due to human nature, social inequality can be reduced, but never eradicated.

            In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, social status was permanently ingrained in families’ traditions.  For example, the Cunninghams had been known as a poor farming family that had a lot of pride and “’never took anything they couldn’t pay back’”, while the Ewells had a permanent reputation as the scum of Maycomb County (Lee 2, 3).  This unequal judgment was not only determined by one’s family, however; race was also a factor of prejudice.  It was apparent that Tom Robinson was innocent in his court case, but he was found guilty by the jury.  Scout also noticed at Calpurnia’s church how inferiorly educated the black population in general was compared to the people she was used to being around (Lee 12, 21).  A few people made attempts to equalize the social ladder, but to no avail.  Although Atticus Finch tried to defend Tom Robinson, he still was unfairly found guilty (Lee 21).  Boo Radley tried to keep to himself throughout the years in order to show that he was an innocent, peaceful man, but people still feared and scorned him (Lee 30). 

            A movie with similar racial prejudices to those in To Kill a Mockingbird is Glory.  The movie is about the first all-black regiment in the Civil War, the 54th Massachusetts.  Although a small step was made towards social inequality when they were granted permission to “fight”, they were still paid less, less adequately supplied, and disrespected by the other white regiments.  It wasn’t even intended for them to actually fight in a battle until their commander, Col. Robert Gould Shaw, blackmailed the man responsible for assigning regiments to fight (Fields).  This was not only the only hostile encounter Col. Shaw had with an authority figure regarding the unfair treatment of his troops, either.  Although Col. Shaw tried hard to establish social equality between his regiment and the whites, the 54th Massachusetts wasn’t respected in the slightest amount until half of their men, including Shaw himself, were killed in vain during a suicidal charge to capture a Confederate fort; after this the regiment was given some regards (Fields).  Even among the blacks in the regiment, there was an established social ladder.  “Snowflake” was ridiculed by the others because of the prim and proper way in which he carried himself, but Sgt. Rawlins was generally respected (Fields).  This gap in social status seemed too deep to close up in time.