The Strong, The Powerful, The Determined.

Welcome back readers! As we continue discovering Just Mercy, we are confronted with the inequalities that many are forced to face because of our unjust criminal system. In this last section, Bryan Stevenson introduces us to more sides of the corrupt system as well as continues to follow through the astonishing events of Walter's case. Stevenson appeals to pathos throughout his book and is essential in this section when proving the wrongfulness within the criminal justice system. 

Stevenson strongly appeals to pathos in the chapter titled "All God's Children". The emotional and heart-tugging stories of Trina Garnett, Ian Manuel, and Antonio Nuñez are utilized as examples of children that have been wronged by the criminal justice system.

Stevenson decides to structure the way he tells these stories differently than those told earlier in the book. In previous stories, Stevenson would introduce us to specific characters by telling us how they were viewed by the judge and how they were eventually convicted. An example of this is when Charlie was first introduced at the beginning of chapter six. His connection with his mother was used strictly as a segway into his trial, then, later on, Charlie's side of the story was revealed. This differs from the more recent chapters including the stories of Trina, Ian, and Antonio. When telling their stories, Stevenson made sure to make the reader feel an emotional connection with them before telling them the outcome of the cases.

The author chose to reorganize his paragraphs to deepen the connection the audience has with the characters. When he creates a bond between the reader and the story he is telling, the impact is much stronger. One example, in my opinion, of when the readers feel most connected with the characters is when he describes what the children look like after years and years of solitary confinement.


He uses the emotion and his appeal to pathos to make his overall argument that is stated on page 160 that,

"They weren't exceptional. There were thousands of children like them scattered throughout prisons in the United States- children who have been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole or other extreme sentences. the relative anonymity of these kids seemed to aggravate their plight and their despair." 

Stevenson uses these sentences to help readers begin to understand the complexity of the injustice criminal system. When reading this part I felt moved by him pointing out that "they weren't exceptional". At that time, I began to think about how many other children had to endure what those three did, which was exactly was Stevenson had planned, to provide emotion-provoking information.  

Stevenson also appeals to the pathos of his audience during the chapter "I'm Here". In fact, it was those very words that were so sentimental in this context. 

During the final paces of Walter's case, many of his friends and family came to support him, almost all of which were African Americans, and took up almost all of the courtroom seats. The idea that the room was filled by all blacks on the first day of the trial did not settle well with the U.S criminal justice system, so they decided to abuse their power and try to make the black people feel smaller. 

After the first day of court, the judge decided to withhold blacks the right to enter the courtroom due to it being " all ready filled". Yet, those seats just happened to be by all white people. Hmm, coincidence, don't you think?

Armed policemen and german shepherds inside of the metal detectors for a fear factor were also placed within the room. 

During this time, readers were introduced to a woman named Mrs. Williams. When she was one of the few asked to represent the blacks in the courtroom on the second day, Stevenson made a point to exaggerate how those around her responded with joy and pride when her name was called. As a reader, I began to feel emotionally attached to her through how others felt about her. 

Except, when Mrs. Willims entered the room, she was overcome with fear of the large german shepherds. Stevenson told her story of bravery when she was attacked by one of these dogs while fighting for her right to vote, and she could not bring herself to enter the room. After feeling shameful for the rest of the day, she was persuaded that she would enter the next day. When the next day came, Stevenson captured the moment.

"She moved past the dog and walked into the courtroom. Black folks who were already inside beamed with joy as she passed them. She st down near the front of the courtroom and turned to me with a broad smile and announced, 'Attorney Stevenson, I'm here!'" 

Just a moment later she repeated, "No, Attorney Stevenson, you didn't hear me. I said I'm here."    (pg 181). 

Stevenson then used the emotion's brought upon by this powerful woman to make another important point.

He said that, 

"At that moment, I felt something peculiar, a deep sense of recognition. I smiled now because I knew she was saying to the room, 'I may be old, I may be poor, I may be black, but I'm here." (pg 181). 

In this case, the author used the connection he had created between Mrs. Williams and the reader to point out just how determined she was, and how she, alone, symbolized blacks as a whole.

Powerful.

Strong.

Determined.