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
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.