Glasgow Daily Times, Glasgow, KY

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July 15, 2010

‘Mockingbird’ stands test of time

By JIMMY LOWE Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW — A half century ago, President Eisenhower signed a Civil Rights Act, Elvis came home from Germany where he was stationed while in the Army, John Kennedy became a candidate for the U.S. presidency, Cassius Clay who was not yet known as Muhammad Ali was becoming known as a boxer and won his first fight in his Louisville hometown, and a peaceful sit-in by four young black university students occurred at a segregated Woolworth’s counter in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Right smack dab in the middle of 1960, a lawyer from Alabama published her first and only novel. The writer was Harper Lee and the book was “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

This July marks the Golden Anniversary for some readers who first opened the book, fresh from the publishers in its first edition printing.

I was ten that summer. It wasn’t until four years later that I got around to reading the book.

My first high school English teacher, Lou Mae Johnson, had read the book and was impressed by it. From her comments in that freshman class, I was inspired to read the novel for myself.

Right away, I recognized the power of the work. This was unlike others I had read. There was something so real and human about the book’s characters that I accepted them as acquaintances. As I followed their situations in the plot, I began to think about issues that I’d not seriously considered before. One of Lee’s themes was the ugliness of prejudices, and as I read, I observed it in several forms: race, age, gender, wealth, intellect.

Even at 14, I realized “To Kill a Mockingbird” was something special.

Soon after that initial reading, I saw the movie version at the Plaza. I admired the respectful manner in which the filmmakers brought the work to the screen. Then I reread the book. Through the years I have returned to the book’s pages, rereading passages again and again. After each experience, I’ve come away with a deepened admiration.

Several years ago, I visited Monroeville, Alabama. In that small southern town, I toured the courthouse and several other landmarks that had inspired the story. I even sent a letter to Harper Lee, thanking her for writing the novel.

I never got around to thanking Mrs. Johnson, though, for suggesting I read “To Kill a Mockingbird” in the first place. So, here at last is a public acknowledgement to her. Mrs. Johnson, like so many other teachers during the past 50 years, offered a worthy service by promoting the reading of this fine work.

“She (Harper Lee) gave teachers a good tool to teach about the hardships of life,” Mrs. Johnson said. “With clearness, but gentleness, she touched on many of the problems of our society,” Mrs. Johnson complimented the spirit of fairness and sensitivity the author used in her approach to deal with the racial issue.

I’ve read many works of literature during the past 50 years. In recent years, many excellent books have been published, such as “The Kite Runner,” and other meaningful offerings.  Still, “To Kill a Mockingbird” tops my list of most respected titles.

Thank you, Mrs. Johnson.

And thanks again, Harper Lee.

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