Art mimics life and sometimes it’s so flawlessly done in film that it explains the news of the day. In this case. I’m referring to racism as portrayed in Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Today we are hearing evidence of Republicans mistreating migrants. Governor Abbot is the world’s grandest shithead had them bussed to Chicago in a defiant act against President Biden. I recall the scenes in Mockingbird where Mayella recounts for the court how she as supposedly raped by a crippled arm black man. I will say in the same paragraph however that I am not assaulting Republicanism as a group (though it is going that way dear friends. I’m astounded how low they have sunken under Trump’s dictatorship.

We find out quickly this rape could not have happened and it opens’ our eyes to the dehumanization of blacks in the 1930’s. You’d think we would have stopped this’s hurtful nonsense after all these years. Trump’s mug juts out at all of us reminding how we deserve more than another race. This is a lousy way to deal with “The Other” among us. He has grabby hands.

I think this film has replaced “A River Runs Through it” as my all time favorite. Every semester I teach entering Freshmen about respect for the “Other.” You see this perfectly embodied in the character played by Greg Peck, Atticus Finch. That’s the only comparison I will allude to regarding Republicans. If you are one, I hope you don’t get offended but rather heed the call to be better. I used to be a Republican, I shy away from that fact now.

The court scenes show a white man who has empathy for the Other in his awareness’ for the Other, who is a black man, his client, The film is charming because it paints a timely portrait of the South. The genius mind of Harper Lee has created a place on film where we all can go to address these issues. We’re all guilty of racial bias, I truly believe that. Some more than others can rise above. I can give this film no less than 10/10. Watch it, especially if you are a MAGA Republican. Let me know what you think in the comments.

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