UNIV1030 3:30

McKenna Tharpe
9/6/16

Just Mercy is a powerful and eye-opening book written by Bryan

Stevenson, who writes to recount his first-hand experience with the racial
injustice in Americas law system. I read this book over the summer and then
had the chance to listen to Mr. Stevensons discussion in Auburn. He truly
has opened my eyes to a whole other side of what we know as a justice
system - things that I have never witnessed before due to my race and
privilege.
I think the most powerful story in Just Mercy is the one about the 14year-old black child who killed his mothers boyfriend for abusing her, was
arrested and tried as an adult, and was raped every night he spent in the
adult prison. Mr. Stevenson made the point that this is an example of what
can happen if the majority accepts the unfair narratives surrounding crimes.
The narrative of this story being: some children, especially black and brown
children, arent children. Another example of the unfair narratives that
Stevenson gave is the stigma around drug use. Why do we consider
alcoholism to be a health problem, but drug dependency to be a crime?
These narratives were started when 70s and 80s politicians created what
Stevenson calls policies of fear and anger. These policies have led to the
countless amount of false prosecutions and unnecessary executions, and
continue to destroy the lives of people of color to this day. I think the
disruption of this deadly pattern is vital and needs to be addressed,
especially at this point in time.
Another point that Bryan Stevenson made that inspired me was when
he explained that he represents the broken people who have beat down by
society and their social justice system, by drugs, by poverty. He then said
that one day, he realized that he does what he does because he is broken
too. Stevenson said You do not have to be whole and healthy and complete
to be someone. And I think thats a really good point. I know sometimes, I
get discouraged when I think about the future. I know I want to help people,
especially those who have a had an unfair disadvantage in life, whether its
the mentally disabled or the poverty-stricken or the sick. But, I get selfish
and think that maybe Im not smart enough or capable enough or willing
enough. But Stevensons point is that each person can make a difference, no
matter their race, sex, ethnicity, experience, personality. We are all capable,
but only if we begin to let justice and mercy rule our society.