Race and ethnicity is the state of belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition. Scapegoating is very relevant to the theme race and ethnicity which plays a huge role in the novel. Scapegoating is when a person or group are made to bear the blame for others or to suffer in their place. Despite their own personal flaws and shocking conduct, the citizens of Corrigan have made scapegoating another nulled thing, that has just become a part of their life. Even over the smallest things. For example, Jeffery Lu is relentlessly bullied, particularly by the cricket team. All for his Vietnamese heritage and the war in Vietnam, for no fault of his own. Another example is Jasper Jones. Whenever a crime or offence occurs, he becomes the likeliest suspect. Jasper is a convenient tool for Corrigan. The ‘idea’ of Jasper Jones enables a comfortable withdrawal of personal responsibility. For no fault of his own, Jasper Jones is often pegged as an unrepentant bad boy.
Source: https://jaselambornjasperjones.wordpress.com/2016/10/25/themes/
One stifling summer night, the town outcast – Jasper Jones – comes to his window and asks for his help. Charlie follows him into the bush, and what he sees there changes him – and ultimately the town – irrevocably. In that one night – and then the days that follow – Charlie is forced to step away from childhood innocence and see the world around him for what it is. Charlie struggles with the burden of what he has seen, and his uncertainty is further compounded by how quickly the town becomes mired in suspicion and hatred. It takes courage to challenge myths and traditions, which is what Charlie does when he realises the world is no longer the simple place he once thought it was. And he can’t “unknow” that truth.
For the creator of Jasper Jones, the idea of coming of age is not limited to youth: “We all become adults, but not all of us come of age.”
Source: http://paula-greatstories.blogspot.com/2009/11/coming-of-age-with-jasper-jones.html