Perseverance In Just Mercy

Prisoners in America are constantly being mistreated, so it is hard to think that one would have hope or determination in prison. So how does one gain determination or perseverance? In the book Just Mercy, the author Bryan Stevenson explains the stories and hardships of prisoners like Walter McMillian or Jimmy Dill. These prisoners have had to overcome the injustice in the criminal justice system. For example, Walter McMillian was wrongfully accused of murder and put on death row for six years before getting released. Even though the prisoners have different stories and backgrounds they all have perseverance. The perseverance was gained by themselves and Bryan encouraged them. Bryan Stevenson illustrates perseverance in the criminal justice

The author mentions, “I frequently had difficult conversations with clients who were struggling and despairing over their situations. Whenever things got really bad, and they were questioning the value of their lives, I would remind them that each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done” (Stevenson 240). In this quote, Bryan describes what he does to give the inmates motivation to keep on going and to see past the crime they committed. Stevenson’s perseverance helps the clients become more motivated, his presence and the encouraging words he would give them positively affect them. His visiting and talking to them about past legal stuff and connecting with the clients feel like they matter and gain perseverance. From the reading “His troubled look sobered me, too. “I know, Walter, and we’re not clear yet, I said…I can’t believe they would try to prosecute you again, but with this crowd, reasonable conduct is never guaranteed. I’m going to try and get you home as soon as humanly possible”(Stevenson 191). This quote shows the reader that even though Walter’s motion kept getting denied Bryan was still trying and then finally it got accepted. Bryan's perseverance and his willingness to keep on going helped him get a motion, he was determined to help Walter be found innocent. Bryan also told Walter words of encouragement to help him have hope which shows the reader his

In the reading Stevenson point’s out “Walter grew much more comfortable during our visits and sometimes he would veer into topics that had nothing to do with the case…Walter showed remarkable empathy. He spent a lot of time imagining what other people were thinking and feeling”(82). This quote discusses Bryan's visit made Walter feel happy and that he mattered, the visits also affected him positively. Walter was on death row but he still was happy and had great empathy, the visits gave him something to look forward to. Overall Walter became more comfortable with the visits and Bryan's words and presence gave Walter motivation and perseverance to keep on going. In the words of Stevenson, “As he walked to the car, Walter raised his arms and gently moved them up and down as if he meant to take flight. He looked at me and said, “I feel like a bird, I feel like a bird”(198). In this quote, Walter finally hears he will be gaining his freedom after 6 long years of fighting to get out of prison and being on death row. Without Bryan’s perseverance and Walter’s hope he would not be out, Bryan did so much to help Walter get out. Bryan gave Walter words of encouragement in a dark place and Walter took those words and help into consideration. They both fought for his freedom in different ways that worked. For this reason, Walter McMillian was able to gain