What is Wrong With Society

Trayvon Martin was a normal kid; he had friends and a loving family. One night, he was walking from the convenience store carrying a soda and skittles––he was wearing a black hoodie–– when Mr. Zimmerman shot and killed him. George Zimmerman claimed the unarmed teenager looked suspicious and that he was acting in self-defense. Prejudice is evident in today's society. Trayvon Martin didn’t deserve to be killed based on a prejudice. Society needs to stop judging based on appearances, because eventually our prejudice will lead to injustice; when we act based on our suspicion and our fear of the unknown––like Mr. Zimmerman–– we make irremediable mistakes.

I think that individuals have the responsibility to stand up for the cause they believe in. Everyone has the right to feel safe––and in cases like this––you wonder where our justice is gone, when the police’s good judgment seems to be absent in our present day life. I can relate this to when NYPD gave advice to women so they wouldn’t get sexually harassed, “Women shouldn’t wear short skirts because they could get raped”

This shows that we live in a society that teaches women how not to get raped instead of teaching men NOT to rape? Society, are you going to teach us how not to get killed by not wearing hoodies in the night? I wonder, are you going to teach us how NOT to get killed by not wearing hoodies in the night?

In Martin’s case I believe gender stereotype played a big role. Young, black guy, walking in the in the night: Mr. Zimmerman misjudged this innocent civilian, and took his life. Society today lives with hate. Hate is a disease; it pervades the minds of people and when we act upon it we make mistakes. Today this man is not behind bars, you can call it corruption and injustice; if the policemen are not fair, whom can we trust? They make sure all of us follow the law, but they aren’t following it. If we can’t trust them, whom can we trust?

Snow and Fire in One Day

The opportunity to find out more about the Radley’s had come. Scout and I couldn’t let it pass. The effort we’ve been trying to make to assimilate the behavior of the bizarre family might be paying off now. Atticus has come back from the Radley house. It’s was our chance to ask him.

“Atticus,” Scout said, “did you see Mr. Arthur?”

I was suddenly scared when a short time elapsed and he wouldn’t answer. He didn’t quite approve of our interrogations and curiosity about Boo Radley. But, the opportunity was there and the question was–– In fact–– imminent. 

The reason why Atticus went to the Radley house was because Mrs. Radley had just passed. Even though it might sound like a calamity we weren’t really affected by it.

Incredibly, instead of the sweltering Maycomb heat, there was snow. People like Mr. Avery blamed us for this drastic change of weather; he believed the kids conspired to behave bad and eventually cause a change in the weather. Personally, I don’t see this weather change as a tragedy since we didn’t have school.

            Scout and I build a snowman meticulously with the features of Mr. Avery. Once Atticus found out, he was in dissension because it looked like Mr. Avery too much, and he could take it as an insult. That’s when Ms. Maude came out–– miraculously stopped lionizing her garden–– and talked to Atticus about her disagreeing with the building of a Snowman with such proximity to Mr. Avery.

            It was a very fun day, until I was abruptly awoken by the voice of Atticus telling me to come outside. I couldn’t quite apprehend why at first–– It was late at night–– it made no sense. When I walked outside and realized Ms. Maude’s house was on fire, I expected the whole town to be in a state of anarchy, but to my disbelief everyone was working together to save what we could from the raging fire. Thoughts raced through my head–– I wanted to help–– but Atticus’ order to stay in front of the Radley’s had me shackled to the earth. This was nobody’s fault, nobody could be arraigned because of this, nobody could be blamed, but regardless of that, the whole town was helping out. I found that very amazing.

           After the tension had lowered and we were going back home, Atticus and I noticed Scout had a blanket on her shoulders. I never put it, so it could only have been Boo Radley. I realized many things right there; Boo Radley was not really “Boo” he was Mr. Arthur, and he was a nice person.

Letter to the Lost..

Dear Lily,

     A bizarre feeling of loneliness washed over me and it was imminent I would write a letter for you––I miss you. 20 years have elapsed since the last time I saw you and I know that what I'm about to say will be hard to assimilate, but try to be apprehensive, we both know our situation is still compromised.
     My life has been shackled to the reality of our times––dissension and hatred are still prominent in South Carolina. I wish I could move to New York and find you, but I get more and more requests to serve as people's lawyer everyday that leaving everything at this point would be calamitous move and it would leave my office in a state of anarchy.
     What I want you to know is, as much as I love my job, I don't feel complete––I need you. Even though this is hard to get across––you might think interrogating and arraigning criminals to justice would make me more than happy–– I feel empty without you. I made a promise that I would look for you––and I will––it's just not the right time, and I'm sorry.
     In case you haven't heard about August she is doing great, her honet sales have tripled and she's retiring soon to spend more time with her niece September––June and Neil's little girl––she's a sweet pea!
     Lily Owens, you have my heart, every summer as I trace back to the moments we had, I realize they've been the happiest days of my life. South Carolina has become nothing but more hot and sweltering every summer but in my heart it's always winter without you. All I can say at this point is thank you for stepping into my life, you changed me. You changed all of us. I ratify my promise tonight, I'll go find you, Lily Owens.

Love,

Zach