Final answer:
The message in the short story "The Lesson" by Toni Cade Bambara is about the importance of awareness and social and economic inequality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The message in the short story "The Lesson" by Toni Cade Bambara is about the importance of awareness and social and economic inequality. The story follows a group of children from a low-income neighborhood who are taken on a field trip to a toy store in a more affluent area. Through the character of Miss Moore, the story highlights the stark difference between the two worlds and the unfairness of the economic system. The lesson learned is that inequality exists and that education and awareness are essential in bringing about change.