Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson is a heartwrenching and revolutionary novel that exposes the deep-rooted and systemic injustices within the United States criminal justice system. Bryan Stevenson grew up as an African American experiencing poverty and the strong racial prejudices present in formerly Confederate states. He attended law school and developed into an extremely motivated and gifted lawyer, later founding the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI). Stevenson’s novel follows his journey defending the unfairly condemned, often society’s most vulnerable, individuals. His book serves as a rallying cry against racism, poverty, and inequality that saturates our legal institutions. This critique reflects on Stevenson's arguments, the effectiveness of his …show more content…
Stevenson's approach to Just Mercy is both personal and analytical. He effectively intertwines personal narratives with legal insights to humanize his clients and illustrate the broader implications of their cases. The book's strength lies in Stevenson's ability to provoke empathy and outrage simultaneously, compelling readers to confront uncomfortable truths about racial bias and societal neglect. Stevenson’s critique of immunity laws and the lack of accountability for powerful individuals is particularly effective. His call to hold these individuals accountable is a powerful reminder of the hypocrisy and need for systemic reform. The book also highlights the importance of focusing on the victims of crime and their wishes for justice, emphasizing that not all victims are treated equally. Despite recent progress, Stevenson argues that the fight for civil rights and equal treatment remains far from over. He describes the reality of mass incarceration in America and the importance of educating oneself about the history of prejudice and bias in the legal