Harper Lee, a woman of brilliance and the author of the beloved "To Kill A Mockingbird," passed away on Friday, yet her words will live on, whether it be in the classroom, library, or in the hearts of all those who have read her novel. A classic it may be indeed, but the the story surrounding love, friendship, and justice are timeless lessons that can be learned from time and time again. Lee's words spoke to many readers and will continue to speak to thousands of more who pick up her novel and divulge in the story of Atticus Finch. Each reader is drawn to different parts of the classic story, so here are a few of the many quotes that all can learn from and live by.
1. "You can choose your friends but you sho’ can’t choose your family, an’ they’re still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge ‘em or not, and it makes you look right silly when you don’t."
Family is everything. You may not always get along—that's inevitable—but it's important to realize that your family is going to be there no matter what. Don't take what you have for granted. We often wait too long to realize and appreciate what we have in front of us. Show your love and recognition to your family, whether it's something small like calling your parents to check in or something a bit more like saying "I love you." Either way, showing that you are aware and grateful for the family that you have is a wonderful accomplishment in itself.
2. “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.”
There will come a point where we all try something and feel as if it is bound to fail the minute the journey begins, yet it is important to remember to keep going despite what you and others think. There is difficulty in any new journey or experience, but just because there is a bump in the road doesn't have to mean we give up. There is real courage in seeing something difficult through until the end. Whether it be a difficult class, applying for a competitive internship, or taking a life changing job, find the determination to follow through despite how difficult, challenging, or frightening it may seem. In the end, it will have been worth it whether it works out or not because in every journey, there are many lessons to be learned.
3. “We’re paying the highest tribute you can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It’s that simple.”
Trusting someone can seem like such a difficult thing, especially living in a world that can be filled with anger, hatred, and violence. But it is important to realize that lack of trust for one person at the expense of all the horrible people who commit horrible acts,is just as bad, if not worse. You can't decide to not trust someone based on the actions of many people, and that is something our society today has great difficulty in doing. That's not to say, don't be cautious or careful of who you put your trust in, but instead it's saying, be willing and open to trust those around you. You have to allow someone to show that you can trust them because if you don't give them a chance, you are just putting a label on them before you allow yourself to get to know them.
4. “It’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you.”
It is extremely easy for people to bash others especially when we live in a day and age where platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram consume our daily lives. Many people use these forms of social media to update friends, family, and to share their experiences, but there are also those who use these platforms to express feelings and words of hate. In this case, words speak louder and show the true character of those who use social media platforms for such negative feelings of expression. It is easier said than done, but we shouldn't be hurt by such words, but instead use them as a frame of character that gives us a glimpse into what kind of people they really are.
5. "I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks."
Accepting and recognizing the fact that we are all the same despite our race, religion, or skin color is something we have difficulty with in today's world. Yes, it's important to embrace the things that make us unique such as our different cultures, but it is even more important to accept the fact that we are all human. We all have the right and deserve to be treated with the same respect, kindness, and humility. What make us unique should not be a determinant of whether we are treated equally or not. It is time that we all accept one another for who we are and treat each person with the same respect.
