Just Mercy: A Story of Humanizing the Imprisoned

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In the words of Donald Black, “each citizen is equal before the law; but, if we are using the law to reinforce these patterns of wealth and status then that wouldn’t really be the case” (Black, Lecture 1.2). Not only does this apply to the flaws of the American legal system, but in the case for Walter McMillian, the undeserving nature of being imprisoned supplements the goal of the author in humanizing the imprisoned. Presented in the epilogue, he mentions that “Mercy is most empowering, liberating, and transformative when it is directed at the undeserving” (Stevenson 314). This relates to the notion that the individuals who are often undervalued, or marked as a criminal should recover a life that is worth celebrating in the eyes of Bryan Stevenson. From this, Stevenson sums up the principles that give his book its title, and serve as a guide to the equal justice initiative. As an agent for humanizing the imprisoned, Stevenson seeks to surpass prejudice, fear, and the effects of self-imprisonment on dehumanization, and recognize this concept as a focal point for the process of being human.

Residing on the overwhelming notion of humanizing his defendants, in a way, Bryan Stevenson displays a theoretical framework that simply because people commit crimes, it does not mean that they cease to be human beings. No matter what someone has committed, there are things that should not be done to them within the context of our American judicial system. Although I hold the notion that holding criminals liable is part of what it means to treat them as human beings, the dignity of individuals in regards to overall victimization also means that there are limits to forms of punishment or to acceptable means in doing so. All in all, in regards to Stevenson’s vociferation for the humanization of the imprisoned, is actually making a much wider call. I inherit that he is not only calling for the humanization of the imprisoned, but for the humanization of everyone. From this, Stevenson sets forth the goal that everyone, not only the imprisoned should be seen, respected, and treated as human beings worthy of such treatment.

References:

- Stevenson, Bryan. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. New York: Spiegel & Grau, 2014. Print. 1-336.

- CJL3038 Week 1 Lecture 1.2