Initial Responses to Just Mercy

[Skinner]

What are your initial responses to Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson? What surprised, troubled, or challenged you from the book? What stories from the book stick with you?

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—These questions are taken from the UUA's discussion guide. For further questions and resources view the guide at: http://www.uua.org/sites/live-new.uua...

[Becky]

I'm trying to read a little bit of the book each morning before the kids wake up. I just read about his first interaction with police outside his apartment. It's easy to feel so filled with rage and despair on his behalf, but I'm also trying to listen to Black activists who remind us that white rage and despair have a way of derailing the work. We need to figure out how to respond in ways that support advocacy that is already in motion.

[Mary]

Becky, can you say more about what you've learned about white rage and despair derailing the work? What have you learned from Black activists about what they need from allies?

[Becky]

I think the best way I've heard it articulated is this line from Mikki Kendall's article After #SolidarityIsForWhiteWomen: So You Want To Be An Ally, Now What? (http://www.xojane.com/issues/after-so... "Any response to a discussion of someone else’s oppression that centers on you and your feelings is the wrong one."

What I mean to say is not necessarily not to feel rage or despair (can we help what we feel?) but rather to not let our [white] rage and despair become part of the discourse. In these days of social media, it's all to easy to slip into something more akin to "Ally Theater" than actual, productive anti-racism work (Mia McKenzie's How to Tell The Difference Between Real Solidarity and Ally Theater is a tough but important read (http://www.blackgirldangerous.org/201...)

My feelings may motivate me to action, but they themselves have no place on the field of action that actually initiates progressive change.

[Gail]

Hi Becky,
What stays with me several months after reading the book is not only the powerful stories, but also the power of persistence in the face of long odds. Ultimately, persisting in the demand that U.S. society recognize the humanity of all people is what makes small, incremental change over time. It is hard not to be enraged by what is happening in the book (and in our world), but rage and despair can certainly get in the way.

[Becky]

Gail wrote: "Hi Becky,
Ultimately, persisting in the demand that U.S. society recognize the humanity of all people is what makes small, incremental change over time..."

Yes! Thank you for that language. So true!

[[deleted user]]

I am late to the party, and it took a while to get the book from my library. I have just finished chapter two, and am overwhelmed with the too-familiar features of anger and frustration. The words from "Blowin' in e Wind" keep running through my head. How many times, indeed? At 66, I have seen and heard too much of this to be surprised, and I will admit to feeling weary four days out of seven. Looking forward to having one of those three good days soon, and hoping this book or the discussion helps get me there.

[Skinner]

That is exciting! I wonder what kind of effect that will have on the national debate about the disproportionate impact of our criminal justice system on people of color.

[Mary]

Oops, I accidentally deleted Becky's excellent post instead of my own. She pointed out that a movie is being made about Bryan Stevenson based on his book. You can read about it at
https://atlantablackstar.com/2015/07/...

[Sadie]

I finished the book a few weeks ago and it still seems to be travelling from tabletop to tabletop in my house. Why? Perhaps I’m still looking for the right person to pass it onto? I do think it’s powerful truth bears rereading. I’ve found myself looking back to review some of Stevenson’s messages. I have reread chapter 15 “Broken” a few times now. As I read Stevenson’s claim that “we are all broken by something.” and that “brokenness is the source of our common humanity, the basis for our shared search for comfort, meaning and healing.” and “...shared vulnerability and imperfection nurtures and sustains our capacity for compassion.” I was reminded of Brene Brown’s teaching about vulnerability in Daring Greatly. I’m excited that the book is being made into a movie and it’s message and story, although heartbreaking, can reach for compassion from a larger audience.

[Audrey]

Thanks for such a personal and honest post.

[Jessica]

I think moral outrage can be useful if it pushes you to make changes in your life, your world. Anger at some large, monolithic institution is not very helpful in and of itself. As I'm reading Just Mercy I feel a real call to action. Because the author is constantly questioning his own actions (starting so vividly in the Introduction), I find myself doing the same.

I'm wondering if anyone has taken some direct action - either in their life or in the wider world - after reading the book?

[Shannon]

Seriously one of the best books I’ve ever read

I truly felt a spiritual connection to god when reading it
I felt rage, hope, and joy among many other emotions when reading it
Truly made me look at things differently and now I much more so lean against the death penalty highlights the injustices involve and how everyone on death row has a story many that would break your heart, a calling for us to have mercy for our fellow humans

5/5 stars

[Shannon]

It’s being made into a movie?!