Social Justice

“Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”

“I’ve got my truth back. Nobody can take that from me.”

These are lines from the film ‘Just Mercy’. Just Mercy - written by Bryan Stevenson, the attorney who founded the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama in 1989 - is focused on Walter McMillian’s proven innocence and release from death row in 1993.

Whenever I see a film that highlights social injustice, I am horrified & disgusted by how deeply sick & cruel humans can be. I cry. I feel my stomach twist. I feel enraged. I notice myself blowing out big huge release poofs of anger - all the way home.

And I am brought to the core of compassion - for the innocent. And also, for the misled.

These films wake me up. I want to see my own biases. I want to change them. I am compelled to be better.

These films re-energize my commitment to be a good listener, to care more - about every person - and to stand up for social justice. That’s what I think makes a good film. That’s why I think this is one of the really important films to see.

Just Mercy led me to my computer to learn more about the Equal Justice Initiative. Their work is worth our attention. If you’d like to watch an interview with attorney Bryan Stevenson, click here. After you read more about the amazing work of EJI, please comment. Please donate. Please share.

Ami Ji Schmidfirst