Just Mercy
In continuing the theme of serving others, I have to state my admiration for Bryan Stevenson, who I learned about when I saw the film, Just Mercy, upon its release back in 2020. The film is a true story and revolves around his defense of Walter McMillian, a black man wrongly incarcerated and placed on death row for murder in Alabama. A line that stood out upon my first view. He goes into a records office to get records of the testimony that convicted McMillian, that of a white felon, Ralph Meyers. One of the women who works in the office whispers, “Is he married?” in a slightly salacious tone. “Yeah, to his work,” the other woman says.
I relate to that statement, and upon further digging, that description fits the real-life Stevenson as well, thirty years after the story takes place. An article I read stated that Stevenson’s brother and his own wife named their son after him because his work doesn’t leave time for domestic life.
Lately, I’ve been seeking to serve others, particularly in these difficult times when Federal worker friends of mine are in precarious positions with their jobs. So far, I’ve used my resume writing skills to give them feedback. And it feels good. I also serve the students in my care, as well as the world through my Singles Studies work. I’m not religious, but I like the passage in Corinthians where Paul proclaims singleness to be a gift for those who serve the Lord. I’m agnostic, but I do believe singlehood gives me time to serve others, whereas the married life would require me to serve a spouse and children (if they were in the picture).
The work Stevenson is even more important; he’s getting innocent prisoners off death row in Alabama, where racial equity is known to be nonexistent, even in 2025 (and perhaps more so due to recent administrative changes). And he works fervently for McMillian to get him exonerated. The book on which the movie is loosely based chronicles a number of his cases; it’s been a while since I’ve read it, but it’s in my “reread” queue.
Stevenson is my spirit animal. It is important to note that McMillian is married, and yet less fortunate than Stevenson. So Stevenson’s devoted to helping him.
The world needs single people who follow Paul’s gospel. He’s my new spirit animal, and that’s why I loved Just Mercy.
I relate to that statement, and upon further digging, that description fits the real-life Stevenson as well, thirty years after the story takes place. An article I read stated that Stevenson’s brother and his own wife named their son after him because his work doesn’t leave time for domestic life.
Lately, I’ve been seeking to serve others, particularly in these difficult times when Federal worker friends of mine are in precarious positions with their jobs. So far, I’ve used my resume writing skills to give them feedback. And it feels good. I also serve the students in my care, as well as the world through my Singles Studies work. I’m not religious, but I like the passage in Corinthians where Paul proclaims singleness to be a gift for those who serve the Lord. I’m agnostic, but I do believe singlehood gives me time to serve others, whereas the married life would require me to serve a spouse and children (if they were in the picture).
The work Stevenson is even more important; he’s getting innocent prisoners off death row in Alabama, where racial equity is known to be nonexistent, even in 2025 (and perhaps more so due to recent administrative changes). And he works fervently for McMillian to get him exonerated. The book on which the movie is loosely based chronicles a number of his cases; it’s been a while since I’ve read it, but it’s in my “reread” queue.
Stevenson is my spirit animal. It is important to note that McMillian is married, and yet less fortunate than Stevenson. So Stevenson’s devoted to helping him.
The world needs single people who follow Paul’s gospel. He’s my new spirit animal, and that’s why I loved Just Mercy.
