“To Kill A Mockingbird” Turns 50

I recently found out that today, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee turns 50.

Do you remember reading this in school or did you just see the movie? I read the book in school and loved it more than any of the other books we were “forced” to read. I also liked the movie, but of course the book was better.

I was intrigued by the title as the mockingbird is one of my favorite birds. Maybe I liked it so much because I could relate to the character Scout in the movie. I also was a staunch defender of the weak and picked on kids in my youth. I knew what it was like to be picked on and would fight anyone at the drop of a hat if I caught them picking on someone else. I still am like that today I guess.

Love it or hate it, either way it made an impact on multi-generational of children. Many became more conscious of racial and class discrimination. It inspired many to become lawyers and defend the poor. It made us stop and think about our making fun of others we do not truly know and how it can be hurtful and wrong. It truly shaped how we treat others.

I encourage you to pick up a copy, read it if you haven’t done so and encourage your children to read it. Though it may be getting old, the principals it covers still remain relevant today and I sincerely hope that our schools are still “forcing” are kids to read it.