Blog Post #5: Final Thoughts

 Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson was an incredibly moving, true story about the injustices within the judicial and police system. It emphasized the mistreatment and racism against death row inmates and their experiences throughout court and prison. Throughout the book, Stevenson was incredibly dedicated and hard working-constantly in a battle for death row inmates' lives. Stevenson fought bravely in arguably one of the most racist counties, and maybe even state, within America. He voluntarily began his law firm in Monroeville, Alabama-which was known at the time for its unjust system and racism. However, this did not sway Stevenson. After every racist comment, experience, or argument he had to endure and did not walk away. Stevenson today still continues to fight in Alabama for death row inmates' lives and prove them not guilty. 

Stevenson's dedication to continue fighting for peoples' rights, even against hard circumstances, has encouraged me to be more cognisant about the things happening in my life. He has inspired me to be more motivated and recognize when an injustice is happening. He has made me more aware of myself, my actions, and how I can impact those around me. Bryan Stevenson has encouraged me to fight against the injustices happening in our own country-he has inspired me to continue on his fight for justice. 

Stevenson introduced to me new concepts and ideas that I never really knew much about. An example being the incarceration of children. Before reading Just Mercy my understanding of children being incarcerated was just them attending JUVY and being put on probation-never did the thought occur that they would be put into prison, sometimes even for life. The incarceration of children is a bad thing because so many of these cases are not fully assessed the way they should be. Shouldn't children's cases be assessed differently due to the fact that they are young, their minds are still growing, and not fully matured? Young adults are not permitted to drink alcohol until they are 21 in the United States because it affects their development and growth; so how does this mindset and idea not apply to children, ages 18 and younger? 

Bryan Stevenson introduced me to not only new ideas and topics but to the idea that I had a voice too. I have the power to make change within my community, state, and maybe even country. The biggest thing I learned from reading Just Mercy is that I have the ability to change myself and to fight against the injustices happening in today's world.

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