Opening the Conversation: The Legacy of Lynching in America

History leaves scars, some visible, others deeply etched in the mindset of a nation. For Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), confronting the dark truths of America’s history is essential. One poignant example comes in the form of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. This "lynching memorial," as many call it, commemorates over 4,400 Black men, women, and children who were lynched between 1877 and 1950—a chilling reminder of a brutal era.

When I first encountered Stevenson’s work, I was startled. He believes these acts of terror are not distant relics of history but forces that still shape our present. For instance, the lynching memorial sits near the very spot where Confederate symbols still dot the Alabama State Capitol lawn—a stark juxtaposition of past cruelty and present divisions.

Stevenson’s view? “This violence doesn't just disappear—it lingers, manifesting in modern forms of oppression.” His words left me reflecting on how fear, anger, and systemic inequality birthed atrocities then and continue to sustain injustices within today’s criminal justice system.

Walter McMillian’s Tragedy: The Miscarriage of Justice

Walter McMillian’s story, as told in Just Mercy, epitomizes how systemic injustices can destroy lives. In 1987, McMillian was falsely convicted for the murder of Ronda Morrison, an 18-year-old woman from Monroeville, Alabama—ironically, Harper Lee’s hometown and the setting for To Kill a Mockingbird. The parallels between fiction and McMillian’s reality are haunting: an innocent Black man wrongfully accused of a crime by a biased justice system.

McMillian’s conviction relied heavily on dubious eyewitnesses and suppressed evidence that confirmed his innocence. Worse yet, he was sentenced to death before his trial even began—a grim illustration of flawed processes and racial prejudice.

If it weren’t for Bryan Stevenson’s intervention, McMillian might never have been freed. Stevenson uncovered evidence that proved McMillian’s alibi and the falsehoods in the prosecution’s case, leading to his exoneration in 1993. To this day, McMillian’s story underscores why the question of “mercy” must unite conversations around justice reform.

Systemic Fear and America’s Broken Justice System

America incarcerates its citizens at the highest rate in the world, largely fueled by a culture of fear and anger. Stevenson argues that these politics date back centuries, enabling atrocities such as Native genocide, slavery, segregation, and lynchings. The troubled echoes of these policies persist in today's criminal justice system.

Consider this harrowing statistic: For every nine people executed in the U.S., one is exonerated. This isn’t just a small flaw—it’s catastrophic when you consider the thousands of lives affected by failed processes. Below, I’ve outlined how these systemic problems manifest in our justice system:

| Systemic Issue | Explanation |

|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Racial Bias | Black defendants are statistically more likely to face harsher punishments, including the death penalty, compared to White defendants. |

| Ineffective Counsel | Many on death row lacked adequate legal representation, enabling wrongful convictions to stand. |

| Flawed Forensic Evidence | Misused or invalidated forensic methods often lead to life-altering false convictions. |

| Prosecutorial and Police Misconduct| Suppression of evidence and coercion of confessions remain chronic issues. |

The Power of Advocacy and Bryan Stevenson’s Work

Stevenson's Equal Justice Initiative has freed over 135 prisoners from death row—a staggering feat that showcases the power of persistence and the urgent need for reform. Beyond individual cases, his advocacy has ignited a broader reckoning with America’s carceral policies.

His work serves as a powerful reminder: Justice deferred is justice denied. But how can we amplify this message as ordinary citizens? For me, finding tools that distill Stevenson’s ideas into actionable insights has been transformative. Platforms like MyBookDigest allow busy professionals like myself to consume the core messages of landmark books in just 15 minutes. Stevenson’s memoir Just Mercy is featured, distilling key moments into digestible lessons—perfect for reclaiming meaning during a chaotic day.

Hollywood Meets Reality: Just Mercy on Film

In 2019, Bryan Stevenson’s remarkable story reached a wider audience with the release of Just Mercy, starring Michael B. Jordan as Stevenson and Jamie Foxx as Walter McMillian. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film humanizes the cold, calculated machinery of injustice through moving portrayals of the people it hurts most.

Foxx’s performance as McMillian captures the anguish of an innocent man on death row, while Jordan’s portrayal of Stevenson reinforces the tireless dedication required to combat systemic inequities. For both actors, the project was more than just a film—it felt deeply personal.

Jordan, who advocated for an inclusion rider during production, emphasized diverse talent both in front of and behind the camera. As he put it, “This is a human story—one that forces us to confront bias.”

Hope Amid Darkness: Lessons From Anthony Ray Hinton

Another inspiring narrative comes in the form of Anthony Ray Hinton, a man who spent 30 years on Alabama’s death row for a crime he did not commit. Following his exoneration, Hinton partnered with EJI to educate others about the devastating human cost of injustice.

Hinton’s resilience astonishes me. Despite losing decades of his life, his positivity is infectious. His poignant memoir, The Sun Does Shine, details how faith and hope kept him alive during his darkest moments. As Hinton says, “When you lose your freedom, you lose everything. But freedom tastes good. It is delicious.”

His story demonstrates how injustice transcends generations. Even after his release, Hinton admitted to fearing the system might betray him again—a trauma no innocent person should carry.

Justice or Mercy: Where Does the Legal System Stand?

The question remains: Should our legal system strive for justice, mercy, or both? Stevenson pushes for a system centered on compassion, recognizing that no one is defined solely by their worst mistakes. As he eloquently states, “The threshold question isn’t whether people deserve to die, but whether we deserve to kill.”

Modern discussions echo his sentiment. Should murderers always receive the death penalty? If wrongful convictions exist (as the data proves), is the system ethical in taking lives before all doubts are erased? These are questions worth public reflection as we reexamine capital punishment at both state and federal levels.

Conclusion: A Path to Redemption

The story of Just Mercy—whether through Stevenson’s 2014 memoir, the Oscar-worthy film adaptation, or the courageous voices it amplifies—is one of devastating truths but also unyielding hope. It forces us to confront our dying need for justice reform and ask: How can we transform our society into one that values both justice and mercy?

For me, this journey began with reflecting on McMillian’s and Hinton’s stories but deepened through resources like MyBookDigest, which condense monumental ideas into actionable insights. It’s a powerful reminder that consuming ideas—and acting on them—is one of the first steps toward change.

Let Just Mercy be more than a story; let it be a call to action.