Incoming freshmen ushered in the new school year yesterday afternoon as they met with fellow students, faculty and staff to discuss this year’s summer reading selection, “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson, who visited UNC’s campus to discuss his book with students at Memorial Hall.
The memoir chronicles Stevenson’s work as a capital defender for his own legal nonprofit, Equal Justice Initiative, in Alabama. He advocated on behalf of impoverished, disadvantaged and mistreated clients facing an oft-prejudiced justice system.
Stevenson’s powerful, personal account of his work details cases in which he fought to provide a voice for accused persons who often were assumed guilty the moment they came to trial. Without means to defend themselves, many of Stevenson’s clients were powerless.
For Frank Baumgartner, head of the book selection committee, Stevenson’s empathy transcends the specific circumstances of those whom he represented.
“It’s definitely not something I expect an incoming student would have any personal knowledge of, but compassion for those who are powerless and the recognition of their humanity is very powerful,” Baumgartner said.
Incoming students were tasked with taking on the challenging read and articulating their own reactions to it in private discussions across campus Monday afternoon.
In one discussion room, Chancellor Carol Folt and Student Body President Houston Summers joined students as they interacted with and challenged one another’s ideas of justice, compassion and recovery.
“The discussion has been very honest,” Folt said. “It’s why I love being at Chapel Hill, but also why I love being in higher education. You see people learn things. You see it on their faces, and you can hear that growth of thought.”
Stevenson, who made Time Magazine’s “The 100 Most Influential People” of 2015, addressed his audience with humor and charm, despite the grave subject matter he combats.
