Why does Reverend Sykes make Scout stand up as her father walks by?

This is a great moment. Standing up is a sign of respect for Atticus, a man that never gave up on what was good and what was right.

"Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passing."

Because Atticus Finch is the Great White Hope, standing up for truth, justice, and all them po' darkies.

Read this book carefully and you'll see just how terribly condescending it is racially. Malcolm X would never have said what Reverend Sykes said.