Scout was raised by her father, and her maid, an African American woman named Calpurnia. Scout was taught by her father to respect all people, including black people. While attending school Scout and Jem have to endure name calling from their peers. For example, Cecil Jacobs says that Scout's father "defends niggers." Scout is angered by the comment but takes no action against Cecil, but asks Atticus if he does in fact defend black people. Atticus assures her that he does, and that it is the right thing to do. Atticus' fight for justice causes more problems for Scout. She always defends Atticus but the racist comments do not stop. Scout defends her father when her cousin Francais refers to Atticus with the statement "He's nothin' but a nigger-lover." After Scout beats up Francais, Atticus is disappointed at Scout's retaliation.
At Tom Robinson's trial Scout steps outside of the court room and talks with Dolophus Raymond, a white man. Dolophus is thought of as a sinful man because he has mixed race children and lives in the neighboring black community. Dolophus pretends to be drunk, so the townspeople didn't think that he purposely lived a shameful life by his close relationship with black people. He tells Scout why he lives the way he does, because he feels that she is innocent enough to understand his reasoning.
Racism changed the lives of the