What does atticus mean in this quoet?

Question

As you grow older you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it— whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, of how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.”--Atticus

Answer 1

As you grow into an adult you will see people in power take advantage of those who are powerless. The person who does that is a bully and a thief with no moral character. No matter what his ancestry or how well known he is; a person who exploits others does not deserve your respect. He is just as low as the worst people are. This statement pertains to white vs. black in this instance but it has a larger meaning as well.

Answer 2

Atticus was conveying to his children his moral and ethical belief that anyone regardless of standing, persuasion or status in life who cheats and mistreats a black man is nothing but trash.  He said this when he was defending a black man falsely accused of raping a white girl. The jury found the black man guilty only because they could not go against the word of a lying white man.  As a result, the racist and bigotry people found an Innocent black man guilty.

Answer 3

i read that book and that quote is actually a very symbollic quote in the book.... basically Atticus is telling his children why Tom Robinson lost the case and he is telling Scout and Jem that no matter what happens with them in life they should never treat the black man like he is lower than them even if everybody else is doing it