To Kill a Mockingbird--at 50

[Marie5656]

July 11 is the 50th anniversary of publication of the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird." The book's author, Harper Lee, has not given an interview in many years and rarely makes public appearances. Millions of Americans have read her book, probably during high school. Millions more are familiar with the story through the film version starring Gregory Peck

So, I am sure many of us read this one in high school. What did you think of its portrayal of the times? How well do you feel things have changed today? I think there is still racism out there..as well as many other "isms" that Harper Lee did not even think of at the time she wrote the book. '
An interesting tidbit I learned a couple of months back. Last year, the actress who played Mayella Ewell (the girl who accused Tom of rape) died. In real life she was extremely active in the civil rights movement and was an active member of the NAACP. Would love to know what SHE thought of the movie and the character she played.