Bryan Stevenson wrote Just Mercy to shed light on the systemic issues within the American criminal justice system, particularly the treatment of the poor and people of color. Through his personal experiences as a lawyer and his work with clients on death row, Stevenson aims to expose the injustices that arise from a flawed judicial process.
The book chronicles his journey as the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, detailing cases that illustrate the harsh realities of wrongful convictions, excessive sentencing, and the dehumanization of those in the prison system. Stevenson’s narrative is not just a call for reform, but also an appeal for compassion and understanding for the marginalized. By sharing these stories, he hopes to inspire readers to recognize the humanity in everyone and advocate for change in a deeply flawed system.