Book Review: Just Mercy
This is a beautiful book that everyone needs to read. The stories in this book made me cry and it has given me so much insight on the criminal justice system.
“Just Mercy” is a profound memoir about overturning an unjust conviction. Bryan Stevenson is a lawyer who helps disadvantaged Americans who have been unfairly and harshly punished by the United States criminal justice system. The plot revolves around Stevenson’s experience of working on the case of Walter McMillian. Walter was a black man who was framed for the murder of a girl named Ronda Morrison. McMillian had a solid alibi though. He had been at a church fish fry with dozens of witnesses, one of whom was a police officer, at the time of the murder. McMillan was still convicted and sentenced to death row because of a witness who had lied. The witness later recanted but the police, the prosecutor, and the judges all ignored it in desperation of catching the murderer and retaining their reputation. After years of fighting judges, prosecutors, and police, Stevenson was able to help McMillian gain his freedom. Throughout the story, Stevenson not only discusses Walter’s case but also the cases of other condemned people. Juveniles like Trina Garett, Joe Sullivan, Antonio Núñez, Ian Manuel, Evan Miller, and Ashley Jones all suffered from different types of trauma, abuse, and neglect during their childhood and were sentenced to prison because of their mistakes. Stevenson advocates for children in prison, women who were raped, and prisoners with disabilities. The book follows Stevenson’s nonprofit law project, the Alabama-based Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), as it grows from assisting death row inmates to assisting others serving life sentences without the prospect of release. Stevenson describes how EJI grows into a powerful force in criminal justice reform. Even though Bryan Stevenson does not win every case, he continues to fight for the accused, the convicted and the condemned among us. His work continues to this day.
Bryan Stevenson grew up in a very poor community. He graduated with a degree in philosophy and ended up in law school as that seemed to be the best option. At that time, he didn’t enjoy law school and didn’t find any passion in it as all the courses seemed disconnected from the race and poverty issues he wanted to learn about. Bryan discovered his life’s purpose as a law student when he interned with the Georgia-based Southern Prisoners Defense Committee and met Henry, his first death row inmate. Following graduation, Stevenson joined the organization to represent poor inmates, especially in Alabama who did not have access to a public attorney. The law matters to Bryan Stevenson, the author of “Just Mercy” because, without it, he wouldn’t have been able to help the hundreds of accused, convicted, and imprisoned men, women, and children. This field has greatly taught him about hope, justice, and mercy. Bryan Stevenson studied the law to make a difference in the lives of others. His purpose wasn’t clear in the beginning but Bryan “knew that his life would have something to do with the lives of the poor, America’s history of racial inequality, and the struggle to be equitable and fair with one another” (Stevenson 4). He studied the law to lift the unheard voices and to fight back against the abusive power, poverty, inequality, illness, and oppression that we face in our world today. Bryan Stevenson has been angry at the unfairness of the criminal justice system in our country and the law has helped him make a difference.
I didn’t have a key purpose to study the law before reading this book. After completing this remarkable novel, I have gained insight into the unfairness and reality of the justice systems. Now, my purpose for studying the law is to learn to make a difference in the injustices of this ever-changing society. It is crucial to actively resist unfairness and make a change. For that, one should be well-educated in law. The law builds the foundation of a society, maintains order, and has a big impact on everyone and that is why it is so important. I’ve learned that people are wrongfully judged and punished because our criminal justice system seems to value toughness over fairness. This is why we need to fight for the vulnerable. People have been sentenced for life for crimes they have committed as children. As Bryan Stevenson says “we are more than the worst things we’ve ever done”. We need to look at mistakes as a learning opportunity and a way to grow. We all deserve a second chance. Above all, I have learned to understand and forgive one’s mistakes and have mercy.