To Kill a Mockingbird is set in Maycomb, Alabama, during the early 1930s. This is decades before the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s which sought to end Jim Crow laws and other injustices which were once common throughout the South. Scout, who is not quite six years old when the novel begins, relates various matters about racial relations in Maycomb through a lens of childlike innocence.

The main conflict of this story centers around racial injustices. Tom Robinson, a Black man, is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. Even though evidence clearly indicates that Tom could not have attacked her nor could he have inflicted the injuries she suffered, he is convicted by a jury of twelve white men; the composition of the jury itself is an indication of racial injustice as they do not reflect the supposed guarantee of being judged impartially by one's peers.

As Tom is imprisoned and awaiting trial, a lynch mob shows up with plans to kill him. Luckily, Atticus has been tipped off about this plan and is waiting for the group when they arrive. Cloaked by darkness, the men instruct Atticus to "get aside from the door" so that they can get to Tom. Atticus refuses, and the situation is finally diffused by Scout.

During the trial, Scout and Jem begin to question what it means to be Black. This is called into question when they spot one of Dolphus Raymond's biracial children in public. Jem tells Scout that sometimes the skin of multiracial children is light enough that you can't tell that they are Black at all. He then explains that "around here once you have a drop of Negro blood, that makes you all black." This simple statement provides profound insight into the racial prejudice that exists in Maycomb.

During the trial, it's also important to notice that there is a "Colored balcony" where all Blacks who attend the trial are required to sit. Interestingly, this is where Scout and Jem choose to sit, as well, which indicates that they see no need to segregate themselves based on race.

Robert "Bob" Ewell, Mayella's father, uses racial slurs throughout his testimony at the trial. He also depends on the jury to convict Tom Robinson because he is a Black man accused by a white woman, despite Bob's obvious lies while under oath.

When the children need a break from the trial, they run into Dolphus Raymond outside. Most of the town believes that he's a drunk because he drinks out of a bag and staggers around unsteadily. Dolphus explains that he acts this way because it's easier to live in Maycomb if people think he's "just" a drunk and senseless man:

It ain’t honest but it’s mighty helpful to folks. Secretly, Miss Finch, I’m not much of a drinker, but you see they could never, never understand that I live like I do because that’s the way I want to live.

Although racism is woven into the culture of Maycomb, Atticus raises his children to think differently. Leading by example when he represents Tom at the trial (despite fueling the collective anger of white citizens of Maycomb for doing so), Atticus challenges his children to "consider things from [another man's] point of view" instead of blindly following cultural norms.

There are numerous examples throughout the novel of racist attitudes in Maycomb, but I hope this provides a good start as you continue to examine the ways the town demonstrates racial conflict and challenges through its characterization and setting.