During this time of COVID-19, I am rereading one of my favorites — To Kill a Mockingbird. It has been interesting as I have picked up on different details this time. Last night I read a passage where Scout, who is nine, wants to invite Walter over to play. Aunty informs Scout that Walter is a Cunningham and Cunninghams are not ordinary people like the Finches. Aunty says that the Cunninghams are different from the Finches. Aunty worries people like the Cunninghams might influence the Finch family, and not in a good way.
Jem, Scout’s older brother, ponders on why the Cunninghams are different. He remembers that Atticus said the reason Aunty is so concerned about family is “because all we’ve got’s background and not a dime to our names.” Jem decides that background means how long your family has been “readin’ and writin’.”
Then Scout in her infinite wisdom says, “No, everybody’s gotta learn, nobody’s born knowin’. That Walter’s as smart as he can be, he just gets held back sometimes because he has to stay out an help his daddy. Nothin’s wrong with him. Naw, Jem, I think there’ just one kind of folks. Folks.”
I agree. We are all just folks.