In Bryan Stevenson's "Just Mercy" the opening chapters tackle major issues in relation to mass incarceration and extreme punishment in America.
From an outsiders' perspective the issues he tackles may seem far-fetched and bizarre but unfortunately, I know first hand from personal experience what he means when prisoners are sent to solidarity and/beaten.
My older brother was wrongfully convicted of an accusation for a crime he didn't commit. In reality, you'd always believe that I would be biased, but in this case, there was no proven evidence. His accusation was brought forth by a co-worker who stated she was a victim of battery assault. (key word, stated.)
My major issue lies in-between the context of justice in the courtroom and justice in the actual prison facility. My brother has often stated when we visited him that many of his peers were wrongfully abused and sent to solidarity without a sole reason. This is an inhumane way to treat those who are serving their sentences. In a way, they're sitting chickens. If they retaliate they'll be beaten or given more time, if they don't say anything, their reputation dwindles to a coward. But where do you find the validity between treating someone who committed a crime justly or do you punish them for acting on impulse at that time?
"there is light within darkness." is one of the statements that I resonated with the most. It was a different feeling watching my mother visit one of her children in prison. Throughout those 6 years, a heavy spirit used to lure our home and our souls. After finally being released I noticed the change in atmosphere. Her glamour and genuine smile returned. Our peace of mind finally came home.
Another major issue I noticed while reading was the absence of acknowledging those from other native countries. After gaining citizenship, my brother was released and deported. Without any hesitation, all the years of hard work to become a United States citizen were thrown down the drain.
Here I ask, after becoming a U.S. citizen being released from prison, should a foreign native be automatically deported or should they be given the same rights as a natural born citizen? Most released convicts are given parol or some type of leeway to shorten their sentence(brother was given neither).
The issue of racial profiling is still a prominent issue that needs to be addressed. In comparison to "keeping the streets safe," how is the police keeping anyone safe if they find the need to arrest or interrogate a person of color, solely based on their complexion. In "Just Mercy"after Stevenson is bombarded and has his car raided by the Atlanta SWAT team is when he comes to terms as to how little progression we've made in race acceptance. Ironically, afterwards, he is told to file a compliant with the Atlanta Police Department. Not to mention, the use of illegal tactics to find evidence. The SWAT team had no warrant to search his car because of a "suspicious person."
In this statement lies the question of how honest is the police when no one is watching? Can we a trust an institutionalized system that works in favor of themselves instead of the concrete facts?
My ability to trust a government is solely based on the expanding branches that it puts out into the world. (e.g. The police, SWAT, FBI, media)
I find little comfort in a system that uses its resources to bring forth power and solidarity, instead of justice and equal rights.
