Much is being said and written about the events of these past few weeks.\u00a0 Some state that systemic racism does not exist, others that it does.\u00a0 Some say that not everything that happens is fueled by racism while others decry \u201cracism\u201d for the slightest offence.<\/p>\n
I recently watched the movie Just Mercy<\/em> which is based on the true story of Harvard trained lawyer Bryan Stevenson who in the late 1980s went to Alabama to fight for inmates on death row.\u00a0 This is a real life story.\u00a0 It is not someone\u2019s opinion.\u00a0 It is eye-opening to see how systematic racism led to the sentencing of many innocent poor black men to death row.\u00a0 Bryan Stevenson has dedicated his life to bringing justice in society.\u00a0 You can watch this movie for free in most online platforms.<\/p>\n Some may say, \u201cthe late 80s is such a long time ago, we are doing much better now.\u201d\u00a0 Forty years is not very long when it comes to the transmission of particular mentalities.\u00a0 As I have said before, legislation does not bring about the conversion of hearts.\u00a0 We have made great legal advancements to ensure greater equality in society, but many hearts have been formed by past generations, and racism is still present in society.<\/p>\n The movie appropriately depicts the savagery that is executing a human being; the weight of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.\u00a0 The movie rightly reminds the viewer that many times wealth and not culpability shapes outcomes in the American criminal justice system.\u00a0 It is an excellent movie.<\/p>\n