Literature

Bryan Stevenson: Just Mercy

A remarkable, captivating, traumatic, and horrifying accusation of the U.S. justice system and how it has disappointed African-American, deprived, and mentally ill people, who are unduly imprisoned and punished. It is an autobiography by Byran Stevenson who is a very influential and brilliant lawyer. This book mainly focuses on the Stevenson’s work and his struggle against the racial injustice in American life.

As a young Harvard law student he started an internship in Georgia. He visited death-row inmates and saw that poor people suffered due to various loopholes in the justice system. Many had been wrongly convicted due lack of legal representation.

Walter McMillian was one of those who had been sentenced to death for a murder he never committed. Working with McMillian, Stevenson got in contact with various other prisoners, and soon he came to know that many, particularly the poor, were in need of legal assistance.

The appointment made such an impact on Stevenson that he established the Equal Justice Institute in Montgomery, Alabama. This helped women and children who were facing various troubles in the justice system.

Another heart-touching story in the book is that of a woman, who was accused of killing her child. However, the unbelievable thing was that child never even existed.

This book demonstrates that with every achievement, Stevenson got further support. In spite of all complications, Stevenson worked hard to free many people from undue or wrongful punishment.

Stevenson has passed most of his life struggling for a just legal justice.

“Inspiring . . . a work of style, substance and clarity . . . Stevenson is not only a great lawyer, he’s also a gifted writer and storyteller.”—The Washington Post

In this book many stories are round about three decades old but Stevenson presented them as if they happened now a days. McMillian’s story has been presented a number of times to show his experience and Stevenson’s hard work for his freedom. Generally, a reader can find that if a person refuses to give up and face the circumstances, s/he can achieve all goals and bring betterment to humanity.

A review for such a wonderful book cannot do justice to “Just Mercy”. This is an exceptional book that should be read by all. It throws light on the works of a lawyer who raises his voice against cruelty and injustice to bring betterment, equality and justice for deprived black people.

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