Reading Bryan Stevenson at NYUAD: Understanding Just Mercy In a Global Context

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption – the NYUAD Summer Colloquium and NYU Reads selection for 2020 – tells the story of the Equal Justice Initiative, founded by civil rights leader and NYU professor Bryan Stevenson, which provides legal representation to people who have been illegally convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state jails and prisons in the United States.

In this discussion, Mariët Westermann, along with Bryan Waterman, Rosemary Byrne, Laura Assanmal, and Gabri Branche, will examine how the book and film adaption invite us to reflect on our identities as individuals and communities, the obligations we have to address marginalization and injustice, and what it means to put education in the service of others. Can Just Mercy prompt similar reflections outside of a US context?

 
Following the conversation, we invite you to attend Bryan Stevenson’s talk to the NYU community beginning immediately after. More details and registration here.

Speakers

• Laura Assanmal, Class of 2021 and Editor-in-Chief of the Gazelle, NYUAD
• Gabi Branche, Class of 2021, NYUAD
• Bryan Waterman, Associate Professor of Literature, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Development, NYUAD
• Rosemary Byrne, Professor of Legal Studies, NYUAD

In conversation with

• Mariët Westermann, Vice Chancellor, NYUAD