Posted on 03/30/2012 7:24:35 AM PDT by Sherman Logan
Something just struck me.
The demand that Zimmerman be found guilty and punished, before anything resembling a trial or hearing of the facts has been held, greatly resembles other incidents in history and literature.
To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960, with an excellent movie released in 1962. It tells the story of a black man accused of the rape of a white woman. In it the town and jury, despite strong evidence of the innocence of the accused, closes ranks to convict him. For the simple reason that convicting him, in their minds, served the purpose of a higher truth. That "they" need to be kept in their place. The actual guilt or innocence of the accused was irrelevant, as the purpose of the trial was mainly to demonstrate social outrage and reinforce social norms. IOW, it was a ritual.
In the Duke lacrosse case of a few years back, the initial reaction was identical. Guilt or innocence of the accused wasn't really relevant, as the purpose of the controversy was to demonstrate social outrage and reinforce social norms. The ritual was aimed at increasing solidarity between the groups that felt threatened, just as in TKAM. The groups involved were obviously very different, but the social dynamic was identical.
In the Duke case, the ritual fell apart as the case eventually collapsed. But if not for the internet, which greatly limited the power of the media gatekeepers, the players might very well have been convicted anyway.
In the Zimmerman case we see this again. What actually happened that night is for many irrelevant. Mostly on the left, although also for a few on the right.
What is important is that, as in TKAM and at Duke, the case illustrates a "higher truth." What really happened just isn't important.
The usual interpretation of the “mad dog incident” is that the mindless mad dog stands for white racism.
Which if you carry it to its logical conclusion means that you can’t reason with white racists so should just shoot them.
Personally I always thought the incident was put in to illustrate the character of Atticus. He was willing to put himself at risk and take direct physical action when necessary to protect the community. He wasn’t just a bookworm.
Similarly the mean, racist old lady was put in to show that the racist whites were not all evil, that their failings were often counter-balanced by admirable traits. After her death, Atticus called her the bravest person he’d ever known.
In the book, people are complex, with the only totally evil person being Tom Ewell. The local white farmers who made up the lynch mob are not excused, but their basic integrity and honor is shown in various scenes, including the way in which the mob is broken up by Scout.
Most of this complexity got left out of the movie, which made the story much more simplistic.
“...Atticus is a huge hero for the liberals...”
You’re right! Liberals dream of gaining the appreciation of the Colored folks in the gallery but in reality Hillary did not get their appreciation. Instead she had one get uppity and steal the nomination from her.
I am coming to the conclusion that you are more correct in your assertion that it more closely relates to the Dreyfuss case that TKAMB. Both have their own similarities, but Dreyfuss is IMHO closer.
Well written, and spot on in both cases.
Recall that in the Duke Rape Hoax, the Black Panthers were literally “in the face” of one of the victims in the courthouse, directly threatening his life.
I don’t care if the dems loved or hated him...I always wanted Atticus to be MY dad! :-D Great character.
On a less deep level, I think it showed Jem and Scout that Atticus may not play football for the Methodists, but there was a lot more to him that meets the eye! LOVE the look of astonishment on the face of the kids when he shoots the dog in the movie.
In the book Atticus was not portrayed as a bleeding heart. In fact, every action he took could be as fully justified by conservative principles as by liberal ones.
The white racists in the book, while believing themselves to be conservative defenders of tradition, were IMO trying to conserve an un-American and indeed anti-American tradition. Most of them were misguided rather than intrinsically evil, but their actions were most certainly evil.
Atticus could have called for the dog catcher. He could have thrown a blanket over the dog. He could have gone inside. He shot the dog. And why a dog and not say, a wild hog? Or a snake? Atticus could kill, and that point is rarely made with students. Why?
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is a huge story for the liberals. It is, of course, fiction......a very useful fiction. What if the dog represented black violence and not white racism?
"What really happened" is truth.
The "higher truth" is nothing more than untruth.
The fundamental evil beneath the decadence that threatens to destroy the United States and Western Civilization is mendacity, contempt for truth.
It's frightening and apalling to watch people jump on the bandwagon, their passion untempered by concern for truth.
And once a consensus is formed, it becomes the "reality". This is the evil that is the Left: mendacious groupthink.
If Atticus Finch had not succeeded, the community would have concluded that Tom Robinson was guilty, and that would have become reality--for everyone. The possibility that he was innocent would have been forgotten, and the truth would have been forever hidden behind the "higher truth" of groupthink.
If the Duke Lacrosse players had not been proven innocent, it would have been the same.
In fact--this is the way of history.
It is also the "higher truth" of the Left: Silence truth and replace it with a more desirable "reality".
The best antidote to the decadence that is the Left is ruthless honesty--the ruthless pursuit of truth--the unwavering demand of truth.
Truth is our greatest ally.
"What really happened" is truth.
The "higher truth" is nothing more than untruth.
The fundamental evil beneath the decadence that threatens to destroy the United States and Western Civilization is mendacity, contempt for truth.
It's frightening and apalling to watch people jump on the bandwagon, their passion untempered by concern for truth.
And once a consensus is formed, it becomes the "reality". This is the evil that is the Left: mendacious groupthink.
If Atticus Finch had not succeeded, the community would have concluded that Tom Robinson was guilty, and that would have become reality--for everyone. The possibility that he was innocent would have been forgotten, and the truth would have been forever hidden behind the "higher truth" of groupthink.
If the Duke Lacrosse players had not been proven innocent, it would have been the same.
In fact--this is the way of history.
It is also the "higher truth" of the Left: Silence truth and replace it with a more desirable "reality".
The best antidote to the decadence that is the Left is ruthless honesty--the ruthless pursuit of truth--the unwavering demand of truth.
Truth is our greatest ally.
In the courtroom and the judge did nothing.
Holding blacks to a lower standard of behavior.
Nicely done, Sherm.
As other posters have pointed out, the reality of the situation, the “truth” is not as important to the Left as what they want it to be, “need” it to be, and what “version” of “truth” is accepted by the general public.
Remember - Crystal was never charged for her felonies. Another double standard.
She went on to assault a boyfriend and kill another boyfriend.
If I had time I’d compile public statements of people like Al Sharpton with respect to this incident, the Duke incident, the Tawana Brawley incident....just their “innocent until proven guilty” statements where their narrative proved to be false.
The reason for this is that it is human nature to immediately agree with something that reconfirms our worldview and reject those things that do not.
This is not limited to liberals/leftists, though since they are so utterly convinced of their own righteousness and moral superiority they are more susceptible.
Stephen Colbert has built a career on “truthiness,” which is essentially the belief that something must be true because it sounds so good. He aims it at conservatives, but IMO liberals/leftists are even more susceptible.
This is, however, a tendency common to all humans. Fair and intelligent people fight against it, though.
"Fair and intelligent people fight against it..."
Excellent.
"Fair and intelligent people fight against it..."
Excellent.
where’s that pic of Obama scratching his nose with his middle finger?
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