How does the theme of individual morals vs. community morals reveal itself in this chapter? Why is it important to Atticus to defend Tom Robinson? Chapter 11

Atticus says that sometimes community morals are just wrong and one must do what they know in their heart is the right thing to do. The white community is generally racist and are willing let an innocent man suffer for the sins of a known vagrant and liar (Bob Ewell). Atticus says that just because he will pobably lose his case because of ignorant racism, it does not mean he should not do the right thing.

"Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win."