America is indeed a strange place. All this excitement over Harper Lee's new book, and her main character, Atticus Finch. Atticus, in case you didn't know, is that lawyer form her famous book, "To Kill Mockingbird". He was a crusader for civil rights and racial justice. (Full disclosure, when I decided to become a lawyer, Atticus Finch was not one of the people that influenced my decision. ) So now, as it turns out, in her new book, Finch is a racist.
Oh the horror! *sarcasm off*
First, let's make something very clear: This new book is a work of FICTION. So if the 89 year old white woman from Alabama who penned the book decides to make her main character a racist, I say so be it. It's her book.
Sorry, I am more concerned with the real racists out here than a racist in a book.
But you Americans, I swear.
"The idea of #atticusfinch being racist is like Spielberg doing a sequel in which ET punches Eliot in the face and steals his lunch money."
"my fictional husband since 8th grade is a racist and my entire childhood is a lie. #atticusfinch"
"Don't know if I'll read To Set a Watchman. Loved Mockingbird so so much & the idea of Atticus becoming a racist doesn't appeal."
This non-story has actually gotten more publicity than the potential Iran/American nuke deal, or another black man being killed while in police custody. This time in Alabama.
Harper Lee and her publishers would like to thank you.
Finally, here is a story that I am sure that most of you have not seen.
Check out this picture from my twitter mate, @ShaunKing:
He said it happened in Troy, New York, and these too "hardened looking criminals" were suspected of shoplifting and let go.
Where is Atticus Finch when you need him?
