Just Mercy (3 min read)
“An absence of compassion can corrupt the decency of a community, a state, a nation. Fear and anger can make us vindictive and abusive, unjust and unfair, until we all suffer from the absence of mercy and we condemn ourselves as much as we victimize others… we all need mercy, we all need justice, and - perhaps - we all need some measure of unmerited grace." - Bryan Stevenson
One of our first book reads from the Literati book club, chosen by Richard Branson. “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson is one of the most powerful, eye opening, soul stirring, and thoughtful reads about the American justice system, and individuals convicted to death row.
The revealing and heartbreaking truth of wrongly accused individuals, where racial and social prejudice is rife. Where 50% of all imprisoned individuals have diagnosed mental health issues, where one in every 15 people born in the U.S. in 2001 is expected to go to jail or prison, and where one in every three black male babies born in this century in the U.S. is expected to be incarcerated.
By the mid 80s nearly 20% of people in jails and prisons in the U.S. had served in the military, a least discussed postwar problem of how frequently combat veterans bring the trauma of war home and are incarcerated after returning to their communities. “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson, reveals such deep and glaring issues where dramatic change is needed, as well as bringing compassion, humanity, and a return to being truly human to the forefront of living and working.
Learning about the extraordinary and compassionate work of Bryan Stevenson, his relentless efforts, incredible persistence and humanity that he brings to what he does is a compelling lesson for everyone. This book brings you to tears with the power of real stories, where capital punishment serves no place in society, and in the end, is a reminder of perseverance, bravery, hope, compassion and gentleness which can restore and bring just justice. As Bryan writes:
“The power of just mercy is that it belongs to the undeserving. It’s when mercy is least expected that it’s more potent - strong enough to break the cycle of victimization and victimhood, retribution and suffering. It has the power to heal the psychic harm and injuries that lead to aggression and violence, abuse of power, and mass incarceration.” - Bryan Stevenson.
Reading expands our intellectual-well-being, and while Bryan’s book is a tough read at times and one you might shy away from at first, it is so critically important not to be afraid to journey into these tough topics - 2020 taught us that. As the World and America sees how racial and social injustices have gone on for too long, there is now a new willingness to grow. Learning, growing, and allowing our perspectives to shift is true growth. We are supposed to learn, apply, fail, grow. We must continue that cycle and not stop at fail, for we miss a huge growth opportunity. As we grow, our thoughts evolve, and then follows our behaviors, and hence the reality of our experiences.
We need to continue to grow and evolve or we become stagnant, ineffective and fearful human-doings, not human-beings. Just because we have always thought about something in one way doesn’t mean our minds are fixed, in fact quite the opposite. A growth mindset is possible, and Angela Duckworth in Grit explains that. There are countless stories of how mindsets and perspectives change. Jamil Zaki’s book “The War for Kindness” has so many examples of how humanity changes people, how evil and hate filled individuals have been transformed through compassion and humanity. We have to be willing to recognize that we are often wrong, be open to growth, recognize that everyone is capable of change, and just because we have always done or thought something in one way doesn’t mean it will be forever.
So what does intellectual well-being mean? As a business, when you create the opportunity to foster curiosity and stimulate intellect through different lenses and changing perspectives you start enhancing your well-being. As a business:
Offer and support individuals and groups with the opportunity to explore and develop interests.
Encourage the expansion of knowledge and skills through a multitude of topics, formats, and experiences. Give a Literati book subscription as a gift to your employees or clients for example.
Ensure opportunities exist for play, creativity, culture and arts, and are not just focused on functional role learning and expansion.
Perspectives evolve and shift when a variety of lenses are available for individuals to explore and test out which then develop into growth and expertise.
Often the greatest solutions to functional problems come when individuals are engaged in something different to their actual role.
Inspiration does not come from pressure, so giving individuals the space to explore and learn during business hours will enhance your organizational well-being.
Birch Cove is not a medical or therapy based business, we do not offer guarantees of any kind. We are not responsible for the well-being of businesses or individuals that read, watch, or hear our content, or take part in sessions, or use our services or the services we highlight. Birch Cove and our Collective members are not responsible for the physical and mental health and well-being of individuals we interact with directly or indirectly. We work to share best practices that inspire healthy living and revitalize a quality of life. If you personally are feeling unwell seek professional medical advice, and follow the CDC guidelines as appropriate.