The memoir, Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson published in 2014 generally focuses on an unjust and merciless trial held from 1988 to 1993. It is informative and insightful because the author thoroughly discusses the flaws of racism and corruption in the judicial system. Stevenson struggles against inequality, abusive power, poverty, oppression and injustice which reveals his own brokenness. Stevenson’s message is to show us our brokenness so we can learn to embrace it, which “creates a need and desire for mercy” (290), helping us recognize the humanity in each of us. Stevenson grew up poor in Delaware, his great grandparents were slaves in Virginia and his grandfather was murdered. His background influences his view of how we we judge some people
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This mimics the story of Tom Robinson in To Kill A MockingBird, which is celebrated in Monroeville. A sensible and progressive community would learn the lesson to not judge someone unfairly from this book, however they ignorantly continue to be full of hatred and driven by their rooted fear. If one puts themselves in Walter’s shoes, they will feel anger on variety of levels. One will feel victimized by the systemic bias based on the allegations thrown against them, and also belittled to the extent of not being cared about by society, as Walter was simply thrown on death row for something he clearly did not …show more content…
Stevenson brings up the story of an unarmed black teenager who had been shot and killed by a police officer after he was stopped for a minor traffic violation. The Bureau of Justice statistics report “Black men were eight times more likely to be killed by the police than whites” (43). This is frightening to think about, a black man could be so innocent but will be at high risk if stopped by the police for discriminatory suspicion. Cases like these recur frequently in our institutionalized society where black men are seen as violent and policemen are programmed to see them as a threat and shut them down based on false
This mimics the story of Tom Robinson in To Kill A MockingBird, which is celebrated in Monroeville. A sensible and progressive community would learn the lesson to not judge someone unfairly from this book, however they ignorantly continue to be full of hatred and driven by their rooted fear. If one puts themselves in Walter’s shoes, they will feel anger on variety of levels. One will feel victimized by the systemic bias based on the allegations thrown against them, and also belittled to the extent of not being cared about by society, as Walter was simply thrown on death row for something he clearly did not …show more content…
Stevenson brings up the story of an unarmed black teenager who had been shot and killed by a police officer after he was stopped for a minor traffic violation. The Bureau of Justice statistics report “Black men were eight times more likely to be killed by the police than whites” (43). This is frightening to think about, a black man could be so innocent but will be at high risk if stopped by the police for discriminatory suspicion. Cases like these recur frequently in our institutionalized society where black men are seen as violent and policemen are programmed to see them as a threat and shut them down based on false