By now, I'm sure a number of you know about Harper Lee's new novel, "Go Set A Watchman," and the new depiction of Atticus Finch as a less tolerant and, thus, less likable character. I have not read Lee's new novel, so I can't give my own thoughts on it yet. Instead, this article is going to focus on the Atticus Finch we all admire, the one from Lee's debut novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird."
I've decided I want to be more like Atticus. Actually, I think we all could learn from him.
Here's a quote from Atticus that resonates with me and hopefully with you, too:
"Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It's knowing you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do."
We all have those moments when we have trouble upholding what we believe in due to multiple reasons. Maybe you're afraid to speak out because you'll be alienated from a group or because it doesn't seem worth it to speak up. I know exactly what it feels like not to know what to do, and even worse, I know what it's like to back down. That, however, is not what Atticus would do. The problem is that standing up for oneself rarely works the way we want it to. No one gives you a standing ovation or a congratulations for saying, "Hey! I think that's wrong and here's why." In light of that knowledge, we should stand up anyway.
Imagine how tough it must have been for Atticus to stand up against a whole town of bigots (granted he is a fictional character). Atticus didn't care what other people thought of him. The only people's opinions he held dearly were the ones of his children because he wanted to show his strong moral character to them. This is why he didn't back down from the townsfolk; he wanted not to only stand up for his beliefs, but also to show that a real hero doesn't back down either. Anyone can have beliefs, but when disapproval comes knocking, few stay. That is what Atticus is to me: someone who doesn't quit because of majority rule.
In the future, we will be tested. Maybe in a meeting with our fraternity or sorority, we might need to bring up someones behavior, even though they will be in trouble for it. Maybe our friend will steal something from a grocery store, and we will want to tell them what we truly think of their actions. Maybe we will be asked to defend Tom Robinson in court, even though we are almost certain to lose the case — OK, that probably won't happen, but still.
At the end of the day, we have few things, and character being one of them. It is a choice to uphold a belief, and it is a choice to waver in said belief. It is most definitely difficult to stand and stay standing when opposition is strong. It is worth it, though, to be able to hold your head high after the dust has cleared. Sure you might lose a friend or be viewed differently, but you would make Atticus proud. And more importantly you would make yourself proud. So next time you are in a situation and afraid to speak up for what you believe in, know that answer is in this one question: "What would Atticus do?"
