Hi everyone! I'm so excited about this little club and its role as a facilitator for diving into educating ourselves about the issue of racial injustice in the US. My hope is that the almost mystery-like narrative of this book serves as a good starting point for a safe and open discussion about the topic.
With that said, the discussion questions I'd like to propose regarding the first section, are as follows and feel free to answer one, a couple, or all as well as answer further questions others comment : )
1. What do you think Bryan meant about the director of the SPDC, Steve Bright, having his "heart and mind aligned with the plight of the condemned"? What do you think that looks like for ordinary individuals like you or I?
2. Bryan reflects on his internship working with death row inmates by saying "after meeting the desperate and imprisoned, it all became relevant and critically important". Do you feel the recent increase in widespread awareness about racial injustice as a result of the BLM protests has incited a similar feeling for you? Why or why not?
3. Reflect on pages 15 and 16. Did you have a previous awareness of these issues? How does this knowledge change how you view the BLM movement? *I also want to encourage you to further research for-profit prisons and their racial implications - it's super interesting*
4. Bryan says "The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned... an absence of compassion can corrupt the decency of a community, a state, a nation." What stands out to you about this statement regarding its relevance to the US today?
5. How do you think the growing criticism of the local police and public outcry of Monroe County residents could contribute to a potential consideration of Walter as a subject in Ronda Morrison's death?
With that said, the discussion questions I'd like to propose regarding the first section, are as follows and feel free to answer one, a couple, or all as well as answer further questions others comment : )
1. What do you think Bryan meant about the director of the SPDC, Steve Bright, having his "heart and mind aligned with the plight of the condemned"? What do you think that looks like for ordinary individuals like you or I?
2. Bryan reflects on his internship working with death row inmates by saying "after meeting the desperate and imprisoned, it all became relevant and critically important". Do you feel the recent increase in widespread awareness about racial injustice as a result of the BLM protests has incited a similar feeling for you? Why or why not?
3. Reflect on pages 15 and 16. Did you have a previous awareness of these issues? How does this knowledge change how you view the BLM movement? *I also want to encourage you to further research for-profit prisons and their racial implications - it's super interesting*
4. Bryan says "The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned... an absence of compassion can corrupt the decency of a community, a state, a nation." What stands out to you about this statement regarding its relevance to the US today?
5. How do you think the growing criticism of the local police and public outcry of Monroe County residents could contribute to a potential consideration of Walter as a subject in Ronda Morrison's death?