In to kill a mockingbird, why does a white man's word always beat a black man's?

Question

when atticus explained why Tom lost in the trial, he says in Alabama law this is always the case. why?

Answer 1

because at that time, whites were considered to be superior to blacks. not only in alabama, but everywhere. law or otherwise.

Answer 2

bc no matter if a black man was right or not, the majority of the ppl holding office were white and they were predjudice against blacks. a white man was always believed over a black man. plus white men were not questioned when accusing a black person of doin sumthin

Answer 3

Prior to the 20 th century us white people thought that we were the superior race, and we could not admit a wrong doing if we could put the guilt on what we considered an inferior race. Things appear to be better, but we all know that racism is alive. I am hoping that my kids live in a more equal society.

Answer 4

This is before the civil rights movement, so blacks were still considered unequal to whites. Just the way things were, unfortunately.

Answer 5

It was the early 20th century and thats the way things were. This was before the civil rights movement.