American Stevenson Just Mercy

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Had District Attorney Ted Pearson shown mercy to Walter McMillian, had those in the foster care system shown mercy to Herbert Richardson, had the police shown mercy to Charlie, had the prosecutors shown mercy to Joe Sullivan, had Marsha Colbey’s neighbor shown mercy, had any one of these people shown just mercy, the torment that followed could have been avoided. This is what I believe Bryan Stevenson means by “just mercy” in his book Just Mercy. It is a declaration of what is needed to help combat an imperfect justice system, but in a world full of sin and corruption, finding mercy is difficult. Stevenson understands more than anyone that there is corruption and flaws within the justice system, and through his work he is slowly mending these issues. All he is asking for is a little bit of compassion—just mercy.

Throughout the book, courts refuse to view new evidence and grant new trials. If they do, they do so reluctantly. This is seen in the case of Walter, Lindsey, Dunkins, Herbert, and more. It was jarring to read about the emotional anguish Herbert’s wife experienced when he was sent to be executed (86-87). It made me think what would have …show more content…
It was unnerving to hear of the suffering others had to go through because of racism and a lack of due diligence by those entrusted with power in our justice system. It is easy to make complex problems like capital punishment have black and white solutions, but that is far from the case. The issues with capital punishment stem from a greater issue of systemic racism and corruption in our courts. I still believe it is a system that works, but we, as citizens of the United States, have a duty to remain honest, fair, and impartial. We must show mercy to others as we would expect them to show to us. Perhaps this would slowly help people like Stevenson seek justice and protect others, like Walter and Herbert, from unnecessary
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