Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

I love reading memoirs, but this was a difficult read for me. I am always incredibly disturbed by all the abuse that goes on in our world: abuse of children, abuse of minorities, abuse of animals, abuse of the disabled, abuse of power. My heart breaks for those most vulnerable in our society when they have no one to protect them or stand up and fight for them. Enter Bryan Stevenson. This man has dedicated his career - and his life - to being the voice for those that have no voice due to a miscarriage of justice. This is a very powerful read - written by a man who puts his money where his mouth is. He walks the walk, despite the pain that it causes him. 

I am always astounded, and deeply impressed, that people like Bryan - and all the other lawyers, interns, researchers and other staff who work at Equal Justice Initiative, choose to make a difference in this world over money. Many of the lawyers working at EQJ came from Ivy League law schools. These intelligent and dedicated lawyers could be making a lot of money being corporate lawyers, tax attorneys, criminal lawyers, financial advisors, but instead they sign on to EQJ to work very long frustrating hours for minimal pay. This practice runs on donations. The EQJ does not charge a fee to represent any of their clients. Their clients are men, women and children who are on death row, or children who have been sent to prison with no hope of parole.

Bryan is against capital punishment in general, and he fights to make it unlawful, especially the inhumane ways it's been implemented. He also fights for the release of innocent people, people in prison who are disabled or mentally ill, people who are poor and children. He has gone before the Supreme Court five times (as of the writing of this book) and has brought about significant change nationwide, but particularly in Alabama and other states in the deep south where prejudices run deep against African Americans and other people of color.

I am humbled by this man. Bryan states that he learned from Walter McMillian, the innocent man he worked tirelessly to get released from Death Row, that "...mercy is just when it is rooted in hopefulness and freely given. Mercy is most empowering, liberating, and transformative when it is directed at the undeserving. The people who haven't earned it, who haven't even sought it, are the most meaningful recipients of our compassion."
Just Mercy.

Wendy's Rating: *****