“Just Mercy” is a memoir centered on the story of Walter McMillian, a black man whom Stevenson represented in court in the late 1980s. McMillian was on death row after he was convicted of murdering a white woman in Monroeville, Alabama.
“The thing that we started to highlight in our final selection was its address of the racial equality conversation that we’ve been having,” said student book committee member Isaiah Stackleather.
In order for a book to be selected, it must be unanimously supported by the committee of three faculty members, three staff members and three students.
Alison Spannaus, associate director of New Student & Carolina Parent Programs, said she finds this aspect of the selection process especially important because it ensures everyone’s opinion is heard.
“The book has support from every member of the committee,” Spannaus said.
The committee wanted a thought-provoking novel that touched on issues important at UNC and nationally.
Frank Baumgartner, chairman of the committee, said the novel was chosen because it encourages students to approach difficult issues such as racial disparities and problems within the criminal justice system through an enjoyable narrative format.
“It’s a story that we think every student will be able to engage with,” he said.
