Discrimination and Prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird Discrimination and prejudice were very common acts in the early and mid-1900s. Prejudice in this book it is shown through acts of hatred and misunderstanding due to someone's color. People of color were the majority who were treated unfairly. During this time in the Southern states, blacks had to use separate bathrooms, drinking fountains, sections in restaurants, churches, and even attend separate schools. Although much of the discrimination was directed against blacks, there were many counts against poor families by those who had money. Discrimination is prevalent when different people are called names. Some people thought that black people were automatically stupid because of their color. They were not allowed to do anything other than menial tasks (like chopping wood) and heavy labor because they were deemed too stupid. The novel TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee contains numerous accounts of racism and prejudice throughout the piece. The novel is set in the 1930s, a time when racism was widespread. While bigotry and segregation were mostly aimed at blacks, other reports against whites were also heard, although not as commonly. There are acts so subtle that you almost don't notice them, but along with these there are overt acts of bigotry that would never occur in our time. Lee addresses many of these feelings in his novel. A subtle example of discrimination that the reader sees is the treatment of Calpurnia, a black woman, housekeeper/nanny for the Finch family. Even though she is treated equally, it is obvious that she is considered to be of a lower social level than the Finches. She calls Scout Mrs. and Jem Sir, even though these are titles usually reserved for elders. "Shut up, sir! When you should hang your head in shame, go on laughing. If Mr. Finch don't wear out, I'll - get in that house, sir!" When Atticus takes Calpurnia to Tom Robinson's house, she has to sit in the back seat so as not to look the same as Atticus. He does not eat at the same table as the Finch family, even though he has been a member since Jem was two years old. She is clearly loved by her family, but she is absolutely not the same as them. “I said come here, nigga, and break this robe for me, I got a dime for you.