University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

Over 40 years ago Harper Lee wrote about social injustice and the terrifying consequences that can arise when people are incapable or unwilling "to climb into [another's] skin and walk around in it." Although this story takes place in a small Southern town during the Depression, the discrimination and prejudice it illustrates in its pages are still, unfortunately, pervasive in today's world. The narrator of the story, Scout, represents the uncorrupted imagination that allows one to be open to new cultures, new ideas, and new people. Scout is not immune to the human tendency to judge others before knowing them, but she continuously develops her sense of awareness and opens her mind to the worlds of others. To me, this novel illustrates the power of learning and an understanding of intercultural awareness as a life-long journey.