Hope at the Front Lines of Injustice

After months of preparation, Gonzaga welcomed social justice activist and Just Mercy author Bryan Stevenson to campus in February.

For several days after school in December, a group of seniors taking the Religion Department’s Social Justice course worked on a simple, but important project. With help from members of the Stage Crew, the young men built a three-sided wooden box that measured 4 feet by 8 feet—about the size of a solitary confinement prison cell. The name of the exhibit, which was placed in the Upper Commons and eventually filled with and surrounded by student artwork, was “Broken.”

“Broken” is the title of a chapter from the New York Times bestselling book Just Mercy by Mr. Bryan Stevenson. It’s also one of its central themes, one he equates to the American criminal justice system. In Just Mercy, Mr. Stevenson — a public interest lawyer and founder of the nonprofit Equal Justice Initiative — writes powerfully about the inequities that exist for many of those in the justice system and his work defending the poor, the wrongly convicted, and those at the margins of society.

At Gonzaga this year, the entire student body, faculty, and staff read Just Mercy, and the book and its themes of mercy and injustice were incorporated into work in and outside of the classroom. The exhibit and artwork in the Upper Commons was just one of several similar projects. In the Science Department, students looked at the chemistry of lethal injection and the use of forensics in investigations. Fine Arts students created portraits of some of the people in the book, and English classes analyzed Mr. Stevenson’s writing style. The Modern Language Department focused on the theme of immigration, looking deeper at the immigration process and the challenges associated with it. The faculty have also reflected on and discussed the book during several professional development days so far this year.

With this foundation, Gonzaga was extremely privileged to welcome Mr. Stevenson to campus on February 3rd for a presentation to a joint audience of students, faculty, and staff from Gonzaga and DeMatha Catholic High School, which also read and studied the book this year.

In his talk, Mr. Stevenson shared heartbreaking stories of his work from the front lines of challenging discrimination and biases against minorities, the poor, and the underrepresented in the American criminal justice system, particularly in the cases of children, the intellectually disabled, and prisoners on death row.

But his overarching message was ultimately one of hope. Speaking to the assembled young men of Gonzaga and DeMatha, he offered concrete ways they could effect change when they encounter injustice in their lives. He urged students to “get proximate” to issues that need their attention, sharing with them how his passion for his work came not as the result of his formal education, but from the personal relationships he forged with his clients and their families. He challenged them to not accept the labels or narratives that are placed on certain segments of society, and to look for the common humanity that can be hidden by oversimplified views. And he urged them to step out of their comfort zones, to seek out and be willing to do uncomfortable things when doing so gives them greater insight into injustice.

Bryan Stevenson (center) is pictured here in Gonzaga’s Arrupe Commons with (l-r) Gonzaga Headmaster Mr. Tom Every, DeMatha Principal Dr. Dan McMahon, Gonzaga President Reverend Stephen Planning, SJ, and DeMatha President Reverend James Day, O.SS.T.

“Stevenson’s book was great, but it was even more powerful and real hearing him in person,” said Gregory Molock ’17. “He laid out steps that make me feel like I can actually do something for change.”

Following his address and a brief question-and-answer period with students, the juniors and seniors of Gonzaga and DeMatha split up into small groups in the Carmody Center to talk about Just Mercy and Mr. Stevenson’s speech, including how they might use what they learned as they encounter injustice in their lives. To close the day, everyone returned to St. Aloysius Church for Mass celebrated by Gonzaga President Reverend Stephen Planning, SJ, and DeMatha President Reverend James Day, O.SS.T.

“It was a remarkable day for Gonzaga and our friends at DeMatha,” said Gonzaga Headmaster Mr. Thomas Every. “Mr. Stevenson’s book struck a powerful chord with our entire community, and his remarks touched the hearts and minds of our young men in ways that few other speakers can. He embodies what it means to dedicate your life in services to others, and we’re grateful he was willing to inspire our boys to do the same.”

Mr. Stevenson signed copies of his book for students, faculty, and staff members in Arrupe Commons following his address in St. Aloysius Church.