Book notes | Just Mercy
Just Mercy is a book by Bryan Stevenson about his work creating and directing the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) after graduating from Harvard Law School. Most of the time, I read a book before seeing the movie version. But I was unaware of EJI until I saw the movie, which so moved me that I then read the book.
Stevenson went to law school after completing an undergraduate degree in philosophy and realizing his job prospects were limited. Law school didn’t require lots of prerequisite coursework, and Stevenson had no clear vision of what he wanted to do with his life. While taking a one-month course on race and poverty litigation, he interned with the Southern Prisoners’ Defense Committee (now the Southern Center for Human Rights) in Atlanta where he found his calling. Just Mercy describes his career and the amazing work of the EJI.
The book discusses many of the problems with our legal system: allowing children to be tried as adults, inadequate legal representation in felony cases, isolation of prisoners, and how prosecutors and judges are rewarded professionally based on number of wins and not whether justice is carried out.
An important book
The UMRA Book Club felt it was an important book that was often emotionally hard to get through. We agreed that Bryan Stevenson is a very special person to take on such important, demoralizing work, even at risk to his personal safety.
There was a discussion about how some members of the legal system could so strongly support the miscarriage of justice in the face of overwhelming evidence indicating the innocence of the person being convicted and then, would double down on legal challenges.
While the group felt these problems were more prevalent in the South, we recognized that Minnesota also has issues, especially around police brutality against Black men. WNBA superstar Maya Moore’s work to get her now husband released from prison and his conviction overturned was also discussed.
Several members of the book club expressed an interest in volunteering based on the issues raised in Just Mercy.
—Laura Ericksen, UMRA Book Club I member
Book Club I to meet July 16
Fri, Jul 16 2021, 2pm
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson when the UMRA Book Club I meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 16.
This book club currently has 16 members, a number that works well for our discussions. Contact Pat Tollefson at [email protected] for more information, including suggestions for starting a new book club.
Upcoming Events
We are fortunate to have UMRA member and former Minnesota Landscape Arboretum director Peter Moe to lead this approximately 3.7-mile hike at the Arboretum on Monday, May 6. Plan to have lunch together after the hike at the Eatery café inside the Oswald Visitor Center.
This session will continue the discussion begun in the May 8, 2023 session. See that article for details.
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.