Social Justice Book Club

The Social Justice Book Club grew out of a Twitter conversation among 
Shannon of River City Reading, and Shaina of Shaina Reads.
The reading schedule is every other month, beginning with April 2016.
#SJBookClub


The third Social Justice read is 
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander!
Kerry has created a reading and discussion schedule here for August!
Join us! And sign-up here!
As usual, I do not know much about this book, nor will I research it prior to reading.
I am always ambivalent about such reads--while I am anxious to know just how bad it is, 
it depresses me beyond compare, and infuriates me to no end...
I want the day to arrive when there is no need for such books to be published, 
because we have finally created a U.S. "justice system" based purely upon "justice."
It cannot happen any too quickly!

My first posting is here.



The second book is 
Here is Kerry's review and here is the author interview.
Blog post complete and linked to title above!
I had no idea what to expect, but felt sure it would be intense!
Actually, it was not quite as intense as I feared it might be, 
but it was certainly a gentle and reasonable approach 
to investigating this crime and it's perpetrators, 
John Allen Rubio and Angela Camacho. 
I am in total agreement with Tillman, 
while it is impossible to parse apart exact cause(s) 
of such mindsets as John had in those treacherous moments, 
does that give US (you...and me) the right to KILL him?
And would this have happened if they had had more financial aid, like a place to live? 
So many questions raised and no firm answers to be given, 
none to be had, and probably never will be...
But do we live in mercy? Or not...

Speaking of Mercy...
The first book for April 2016 was Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Mr. Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Initiative
and has done so much good with his life...already! If he isn't a hero, no one else can be! 
Here is his Ted Talk. But please...do yourself a favor and read this book! NOW! 
My first thought upon finishing was that I could move to Alabama 
and help by doing secretarial work for EJI! 
At least I would be contributing to one of the very best causes of which I am now aware!
(Blog post under construction as of 5/29/16.)
In the meantime, here is my Goodreads review.
And I should at least forewarn you that it is a rant...and a half! :)
And I can assure there will most likely be more than one posting from this one!
I found Stevenson's writing to be seamless, it flowed so well for me!

Not since Atticus Finch has a fearless and committed lawyer made 
such a difference in the American South. 
Though larger than life, Atticus exists only in fiction. 
Bryan Stevenson, however, is very much alive and 
doing God's work fighting for the poor, the oppressed, 
the voiceless, the vulnerable, the outcast, 
and those with no hope. 
Just Mercy is his inspiring and powerful story.
John Grisham

Stevenson is America's young Nelson Mandela -- a brilliant lawyer 
fighting with courage and conviction to guarantee justice for all.
Desmond Tutu
Join us in this venture!
Signup to participate or just read reviews here!

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