Hello All:
Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted a Red Carpet viewing of the recently released movie, JUST MERCY, the true story of valiant lawyer, Bryan Stevenson, who graduated from Harvard Law School, and, instead of returning to practice in his home town in Delaware, relocates to Alabama to defend those wrongly convicted of crimes they didn't commit; or did not have the financial wherewithal to hire decent, competent legal representation.
The story focuses on his first case defending Walter McMillian, who was sentenced to die in 1987 for the murder of an 18 year old blonde female. Stevenson took on the challenge of an entrenched racist bureaucracy determined to sentence him to death, despite the fact that all the evidence proved his innocence. Even though we knew the outcome, the movie was a real nail biter - you feel as though you are there yourself. You walk this path with Stevenson.
Staring Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, with a sterling cast of supporting characters, Rob Morgan, Tim Blake Nelson, Rafe Spall, and Brie Larson. The movie is currently screening at the UA Riverview in Philadelphia, on Columbus Blvd., as well as other theatres throughout the nation.
I can tell you personally, I went through a complete range of emotions - anger, fear, disgust, and finally, pride at his triumph. Notice, I'm not giving you the plot, per se, because I think this is one movie you absolutely have to see for yourself. But I will say one thing: When the antagonists kept bragging on the fact that they were in the city that was the birthplace of Harper Lee, the author of To Kill A Mockingbird, and they had a museum in her honor, I wanted to yell, "Yeah, but Atticus didn't save Tom Robinson - he ended up being hung anyway. So much for being proud of the story!! or the town, or Lee, for that matter!!" But, I stopped myself, SMH.
Following the movie, Stevenson's sister Crystal Taylor, and his cousins - Alana and Teresa, who are also members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, fielded the audience's questions about the movie, Bryan Stevenson's organization, and his future plans. In the audience were Delaware State's Epsilon Alpha Chapter, Valley Forge and Quaker City Alumnae Chapters who joined with Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter. Also in attendance was Stevenson's aunt, who proudly sat on the front row and watched her nephew's achievement.
Per Taylor, "This is a true story about my brother, who is considered by many a hero." It is based on his book, Just Mercy, that focuses on this and several other cases that he has focused on and successfully resolved. Many had already read the book, and felt that the movie stayed pretty close to the facts, with both Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan giving sterling performances in their portrayals.
Per Soror Bryant, "It's bittersweet, some laughter, some crying, some anger. But it's truth to light, and it's truth to power. And we're all capable of spreading the light every day, every person - just turning the knob a bit; and we're always hoping that love will always conquer hate."
Having started in 1987, 2020 marks the 33rd year Stevenson has dedicated his career to this quest. As a result of his years of experiences, he started an organization, the Equal Justice Initiative, dedicated to freeing prisoners who were wrongly accused and convicted of crimes they did not commit and sentenced to death, or life in prison. Stevenson is still very much involved in the freeing of falsely accused prisoners, and has continued to remain in Alabama. His sister, Soror Christy Taylor, of C Taylor Music, asserted that he literally took a vow of poverty to do this work, when he could have been working as a high powered lawyer in New York or Boston. Most of his clientele simply did not have the financial wherewithal to compensate him even after he was able to free them.
The Equal Justice Initiative - EJI - "provides assistance to the poor incarcerated, the condemned, and communities that have been marginalized by bias, discrimination or poverty..." They provide legal and community experts to assist in the hard work of exonerating innocent victims of injustice. They have recently opened two historical sites in Montgomery, AL - The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration; ad the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Those interested in supporting this essential work can do so through contributions - contact www.eji.org, or purchase of their annual calendar, "A History of Racial Injustice," their signature EJI Tees, or other premiums, which go to help raise funds for the work they do.
The work is daunting, and Stevenson can be considered a hero for taking this challenge on. Closer to home, in Philadelphia, there are several examples of the heinous injustices many are suffering in Alabama. Mumia Abu Jamal, who has been incarcerated for nearly 38 years, despite the fact that the evidence was circumstantial and tampered with, is finally getting a mandated retrial, after the discovery of evidence that had been deliberately withheld during his trial. Vigilant advocates, such as Pam Africa, and others across the nation, have championed his case, and have made it their mission to visit him in prison, along with other illegally incarcerated individuals, to ensure their safety. Yet, there still is a penchant for incarceration over education and justice, as Pennsylvania continues to close Philadelphia area schools, while allocating funds for private prisons. It is clear that the kind of advocacy and legal work Bryan Stevenson, EJI, the Innocence Project, and others are essential, but not enough. Many more such organizations are needed, and laws have to be changed so that the innocent don't face harsh sentences and undue incarceration for minor incidences - such as a man sentenced to 40 years for stealing $9.00!!! Shades of Les Miserables.
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| Delta Sigma Theta Sorority President, Monica Johnson Taylor (2nd row left), watching intently as JUST MERCY unfolds |
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| The real Walter McMillian (r) and Bryan Stevenson (l) |
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| Crystal Taylor, Bryan Stevenson's Sister who addressed the audience after the event | - |
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| Scene from Just Mercy Jamie Foxx as Walter McMillian with wife and daughter |
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| Michael B. Jordan as Bryan Stevenson in courtroom scene |
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| Alonna and Teresa E.S. Berry, Bryan Stevenson's cousin, vending signature EJI T-shirts |
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| Bryan Stevenson (3rd from right) and the staff of Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) in Alabama |
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| Crystal Taylor - Bryan Stevenson's Sister |
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| Bryan Stevenson's Cousins - Alonna and Teresa |
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| Bryan Stevenson: Hero, Advocate, Lawyer founder of EJI |
After the movie, the audience remained for questions and answers with Stevenson's relatives.
Per Crystal Taylor, "Our dear mother was a Delta. She actually pledged with my cousin Theresa on her line. Bryan and I are actually 11 months apart. He looks younger than me, actually. Growing up in Southern Delaware kind of shaped our thinking about justice. If anybody knows anything about Delaware, the counties we lived in, in the rural area near the beach, called Rehobeth. It was also kind of bittersweet, in such a beautiful place and still being kind of invisible. Our mother, from Philadelphia - was the baby of ten. I spent my summers in Germantown - I come from a big family in Philadelphia. My father was from Delaware. {Their father passed three years ago} When I see my brother's face on the screen, that's when I get emotional, because I think of all the things he's been through. He would come home and tell us about the judge calling him a n-gg-r from the bench; and talking about how a lawyer was drunk on the other side. Just the atrocities that was happening. And in 2020 it hasn't gotten much better. And it's unfortunate.
"You know I think we had the chance, when President Obama was there, to get up and do something. We had someone in our corner. We have missed that opportunity. At the same time, this is our time; if no other time, is to stand up for what's right, and to treat people right. Because it always comes back, because God has blessed us to get here. Look at the things that our Sorority has done; and look at the things that we can do as a strong group of people. I think God anointed us to be these people - to be the light for other people.
The work that Bryan has done is extraordinary. When Bryan was growing up, he was a reader. At nine he was reading big novels and interpreting them, and then going out and playing - just a normal kid, he's a gifted musician, as well. It's exciting to see what's happened with his life. We're so proud of him, as we all should be, because he's a champion for those who have been underserved. It's true that we were concerned about him doing this work in the South. But, again, I think he was chosen to do this work. And he's been equipped. He's a happy person. He's very modest.
We've been inspired to do something with what he's done in the community, and my cousin and I have begun working on a free charter school in my brother's name - The Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence. And Alonna is the Board Chair. We've just put our application in. We're looking at agriculture, aviation and education - and outside the box with Yoga, plant based diets and medical arts. We're so excited about what can happen for these invisible kids in Sussex County, DE. But, I can tell you that it's all of us who are really called. All of us have great people in your family whose parents and grand parents and great grand parents have done things so that it's easy for us to be strong women in Delta; but also to be a reflection of what God has done in our lives.
Walter McMillian is also the subject of a movie that will be released on HBO, "Free Again," and has been the subject of several documentaries. We are hoping that through these movies and documentaries people will become more active in their communities. 'What will you do?' And that these are examples for young people not being in the wrong place at the wrong time; and not having the resources to get help. There is an exhibit near where we live in Delaware about Bryan, in the Historical Society that has been up since May, and it's called "Walking Into Greatness." It's designed for young people to come through, read what was happening in his life, as well as the national timeline, and the local timeline. As a result of that, a Day of Service has been named after him and will be held next week end, where 42 students are coming in and preparing bags for re-entry for families that are coming out of incarceration. So there is something that we all can do. It just requires some planning and some forethought, and some unity - but people can do some good for other folks.
As I said at the beginning of this post, if you haven't seen JUST MERCY, go see it. Take your family, friends, children - schools should definitely be taking students (especially Black students). There is so much richness and value in this story - not only good triumphing over evil - but what one person can do if he puts his heart and mind to it.
Bryan Stevenson is truly a hero. His story can bring out the s/hero in us all
NOW THAT YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
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