The (In)justice System “‘I feel like they done put me on death row, too. What do we tell these children about how to stay out of harm’s way when you can be at your own house, minding your own business, surrounded by your entire family, and they still put some murder on you that you ain’t do and send you to death row?’”(Stevenson 93). In the memoir Just Mercy, we follow the life story of Bryan Stevenson who we see start out as a young Harvard law student and as the novel progresses transforms into a lawyer helping those on death row who do not have any help. He has many experiences where he sees people change, statistics that prove injustice, and where he experiences injustice. All of these are examples of rhetorical strategies, which are …show more content…
He realizes that not all death row prisoners are vicious and evil and starts to think in a new light. The reader feels empathy for Henry and can also imagine themselves in Stevenson's shoes. Many people build these stereotypes without realizing and these preconceived notions are almost always incorrect or off in some aspect. Henry is a person who did a terrible thing but he is just as human as anyone else. Just as human as Stevenson and just as human as the reader. Countless people have also been put to death unjustifiably. For instance, in Just Mercy, there is the story of Walter Mcmillian a man falsely accused and placed on death row: “Walter’s experience taught me how our system traumatizes and victimizes people when we exercise our power to convict and condemn irresponsibly–not just the accused but also their families, their communities, and even the victims of crime”(Stevenson 17). Stevenson uses pathos to display that innocent people are being put to death, and thus the system is deeply flawed. Stevenson also mentions how families and communities are affected when someone is put to death or accused falsely. Families are traumatized and communities are forever changed making the reader feel downhearted. The death penalty is a corrupted system and nothing will fix the trauma experienced when one's family member is brought to death or falsely …show more content…
Stevenson experiences injustice himself in Just Mercy. In the encounter, Stevenson was stopped by a police cruiser for no lawful reason. The officers then proceeded to point their guns at Stevenson although he was cooperating with the officers. They eventually let him go after illegally searching him: “‘We’re going to let you go. You should be happy’ he said”(Stevenson 42). Stevenson experiencing his injustice himself justifies his speaking out against it. This was a very dangerous and intense situation with Stevenson cooperating, yet he was still treated as if he was resisting. Stevenson also eventually opened up his law firm. This firm was specifically for people on death row and it was a nonprofit: “In February 1989, Eva Ansley and I opened our nonprofit law center in Tuscaloosa, dedicated to providing free, quality legal services to condmeend men and women on death row in Alabama''(Stevenson 67). Stevenson opening up his firm shows how far he has come. Opening up a firm is no easy task and this shows how dedicated Stevenson is to his work. It is also a nonprofit organization which shows how much he cares about the people on death row. In conclusion, Stevenson shows credibility in Just Mercy with the use of
Owen coper English II Honors Copeland, Lisa 3/24/23 In the book “Just Mercy,” by Bryan Stevenson, the author (Stevenson) realizes the degree of corruption and fraud in the justice system and sets out to try and change it. He tries to liberate a man named Walter from his wrongful imprisonment after six years Stevenson’s understanding of justice is propelled by Herbert, a former United States soldier who came back from the Vietnam War. Herbert’s words help Stevenson realize that the world, along with the justice system, is unjust and corrupt.
Written by Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, tells a story of an upcoming lawyer who wanted to help falsely accused individuals get off death row. Bryan Stevenson actually wrote this book about himself. As an African American lawyer who graduated from Harvard Law School decided to move to Montgomery, Alabama in hopes of opening his very own law firm. However, this was not going to be your stereotypical firm. Stevenson purposely made his law office a non-profit to help inmates who were falsely accused of committing a crime that ultimately sentenced them the death penalty.
In his book Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson shows empathy and compassion as he puts a stop to mass incarceration for Juvenile Offenders by providing equality of justice. Stevenson works endlessly, day and night to correct a wrongful conviction of a Death Row inmate, Walter Mcmillian. When he first meets Walter, at the end of the Book, we know that he's innocent. In page 73 of Just Mercy, Stevenson meets Walter’s wife Minnie Belle Mcmillian, and his Daughter, Jackie, as they were waiting patiently for him, after he promised Walter that he’ll meet his family. This shows that Stevenson will even put in the time and effort in order to get to know more about Walter and his family in order to prove he's innocent.
Could you imagine a family member convicted of a felony you know they didn't commit? This happens in the book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson which is also a memoir of Bryan Stevenson's life as a criminal justice lawyer. This book takes place in the 1980s in small Monroe County in Alabama where Walter McMillan, an African American man lives with his family. Monroe County is a poor community in a predominantly African American community. Stevenson at that time lived in Virginia.
In Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson retells powerful stories to highlight how minorities and juveniles within the criminal justice system are often unheard. Stevenson addresses Walter McMilliam’s case to prove that he was ignored by the police and others because he was an African American accused for interracial romance with a white women and murder. During the 1800’s, racial discrimination was extremely harsh onto black people which led their community to be targeted by the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system incarcerates African Americans but no other races which proves that they’re avoiding their safety and rights.
The novel Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson, presents its story through first-person narratives that explore the identities of multiple death row inmates through the perspective of a lawyer, Bryan Stevenson. Most of these inmates are given names and backstories, such as Walter McMillan, an innocent African American man who was accused and sentenced to death for the murder of a young white woman. Through these personal experiences, Stevenson can relay his message of equality and justice to his audience as he explores the inmates' humanity which is presented through their emotions and their kindness toward Stevenson throughout the novel. Stevenson also establishes throughout the novel that these men acted toward Stevenson with an "unusual warmth
“There is a strength, a power even, in understanding brokenness, because embracing our brokenness creates a need and desire for mercy, and perhaps a corresponding need to show mercy (Stevenson 109) .” This bold statement is one of many as Bryan Stevenson sets the tone for his renowned award winning novel Just Mercy. As a young lawyer from Georgia, built the foundation for his company, SPDC (Southern Prisoners Defense Committee) to help convicts that are on death row or in need a second chance. Bryan Stevenson, a young lawyer from Georgia who fought for justice on the behalf of inmates on death row, showed tremendous intelligence in becoming a successful lawyer, demanding for not backing down in moments of refusal, and was an overall advocate
There are many victims of unfortunate circumstances in the world today, yet some of these results could have been easily avoided. In the novel, Just Mercy, the author Bryan Stevenson addresses many cases in which children under the age of 18 are incarcerated within the adult criminal justice system. By treating children as adults in the criminal justice system their innocence and undeveloped person, become criminalized. These children become dehumanized and only viewed as full-fledged criminals and as a result society offers no chance sympathy towards them. Stevenson argues that children tried as adults have become damaged and traumatized by this system of injustice.
It is not hard to believe that when posed the question: have you ever taken away an innocent life? One would like to answer with a negative response, however, statistics show that at least 4 percent of all people who have received the death penalty are innocent. Therefore, if you are in support of the death penalty, and feel that you are doing what is for the better good of society, it is imperative to make note: that though the justice system is good, it is not perfect, and often make mistakes. However, those mistakes should not cause a heart to stop beating, a child to no longer see their parent, or an innocent man to be put to death for something someone else has
I believe the purpose of “Just Mercy” is to show the reader that the legal system can make mistakes that can lead to the wrongful convictions of innocent people and to encourage people to change that. Stevenson works on cases with great dedication and a clear goal in mind; to show these people who have lost hope in clearing their names mercy. The way Stevenson dedicates countless hours to helping those in need is inspirational and compelling. Stevenson uses vivid and heartwrenching examples of what happens to inmates on death row right before execution. This makes you want to anything possible to help.
Bryan Stevenson never knew what could happen and he was full of fear of the possibility of jail time or death. Herbert Richardson was a mentally ill person who didn’t get the help he needed, and due to that, he killed little girl and was executed. During that time, the mentally ill lost most of its funding, and because of that, those who needed help couldn’t get it. Richardson and other mentally ill people didn’t have much money and lived in poverty. Without justice, the world would become nothing but poverty, despair and fear, and the only ones who wouldn’t be affected are the
Just Mercy really makes the reader think as they read and makes them sympathize with the plights of both Stevenson and his clients. Stevenson’s novel definitely deserves to belong on the bestseller
In Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy, he writes to illustrate the injustices of the judicial system to its readers. To do so, Stevenson utilizes multiple writing styles that provide variety and helps keep the reader engaged in the topic. Such methods of his include the use of anecdotes from his personal experiences, statistics, and specific facts that apply to cases Stevenson had worked on as well as specific facts that pertain to particular states. The most prominent writing tool that Stevenson included in Just Mercy is the incorporation of anecdotes from cases that he himself had worked on as a nonprofit lawyer defending those who were unrightfully sentenced to die in prison.
It all felt tragic. His struggle to form words and his determination to express gratitude reinforced his humanity for me, and it made thinking about his impending execution unbearable.” (Stevenson, 232). This case shows the injustice in the legal system, as Stevenson argues that since Dill had mental health issues, he should have been put into mental health care, not execution. This is a subjective opinion on whether this is fair, but they did not consider it in Mr. Dill’s case.
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. By Bryan Stevenson. Spiegel & Grau, 2015. Pp. 368.