Just Mercy (The Movie)
I was given the book Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson about 2 years ago at a Reform Philly event at Penn’s Campus. They hosted a forum on Meek Mills release from prison and about general issues within in the justice system. I didn't think much of it because it was a free book…. and because it was free it wouldnt be any good. About a year later someone told me they were reading this book, a very good and popular book about prison reform. I realized then that was the same free book I was given and it was given to me with purpose. Though I have yet to read the book, I am inspired to read it, even more after seeing the movie.
Just mercy the movie left a heart-wrenching scene etched in my mind. My mom and friend said I would cry throughout the movie, but I found myself sobbing. Sobbing uncontrollably at a life I never knew, someone I would have never come close too. Though I’m not oblivious to the monstrosities that happen in our justice system, or the abuse that happens in our prisons, Just Mercy was able to humanize a process where people are taken their humanity.
My takeaways (in no particular order):
Jamie Foxx deserves an award for the role he played. I can’t imagine the emotional toll it took having to step in and fully become someone with that much hurt and trauma. I can imagine it was like playing a role in an alternate reality because Jamie Foxx could have been in a similar situation just from simply being a Black man in the wrong place at the wrong time.
We are all put on this earth for a reason. Clearly Brian Stevenson’s purpose was to fight for those who needed it. I left the movie thinking what’s mine. I’m passionate about so many things, but what how am I going to change this world. What am I going to do to even make a small change?
There is such a value in perseverance and determination. I look at the way Brian Stevenson was depicted fighting, literally fighting for his believes and the lives of others. When someone told him no or he was unwanted, he did everything in his power to change their mind. There were SO many rejections ( I personally don’t know how he was able to deal with it), but he still woke up with the courage to press on.
Hope is the only factor that allowed all of the characters to see a future of justice and freedom. It is what gave those who were incarcerated breath in their lungs to fight for another day to live even when their days were counted. They saw destiny outside of their current circumstance. Hope gave unrelenting fuel to persistence.