Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice

“‘Bryan,’ he said at some point during our short flight, ‘capital punishment means “them without the capital get the punishment.” We can’t help people on death row without help from people like you.’”

Steve Bright explains to Stevenson that the application of justice and punishment is not based on one’s guilt but rather on one’s economic status. Those without “capital” are assumed guilty, and are financially unable to defend themselves, compounding the injustice. That is why Stevenson and others working for nonprofit organizations are important.

“This book is about how quickly we condemn people in this country. […] It is about how we create injustice by allowing our fear, anger, and distance to guide the way we treat those who are more vulnerable.”

Stevenson lays out one of his central arguments, which is that systemic injustice stems from fear and hatred, largely racially motivated, but also directed at other marginalized groups such as women and the poor. He also argues that social and emotional distance allows otherwise ethical people to treat the vulnerable with disregard and cruelty.

“My work has taught me a vital lesson: Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. I am persuaded that the opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice. Finally, I’ve come to believe that the true measure of our commitment to justice, fairness, and equality cannot be measured by how we treat the rich, the respected, and the privileged among us. The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned.”

In this passage Stevenson explicitly states one of his core beliefs and introduces the theme of Advocacy and Empathy. His belief in the importance of advocating for and empathizing with the most vulnerable communities is central to his work and creates a personal ethics that informs the narrative that follows.