just mercy test Flashcards
formidable
inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable
dilapidated
in a state of ruin or disrepair as a result of age or neglect
disenfranchisement
the state of being deprived of right or privilege, especially the right to vote
incredulous
unwilling or unable to believe something
vindication
the action of clearing someone of blame or suspicion
vehemently
in a forceful, passionate, or intense manner, in great feeling.
emphatically
in a forceful way
candid
truthful and straightforward
somber
dark or dull in color or tone, gloomy
apprehensive
fear or anxiety that something bad or unpleasant will happen
menacing
suggesting the presents of danger; threatening
perlious
full of risk or danger
indignant
feeling or showing of annoyance or anger at what is perceived as unfair treatment
culpability
responsible for a wrong or fault; blame
mitigation
the action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or pain of something
jovial
cheerful and friendly
frenetic
fast and energetic in a rather uncontrolled and wild way.
Why did Bryan Stevenson go to Atlanta, Georgia in 1983?
Harvard law student doing internship at southern prisoners defense committee
What did Steve Bright mean by, “them without the capital get the punishment”?
those who don’t have money get punished in the justice system
What happened when Stevenson met Henry? What message did Stevenson need to give him, and how does their interaction unfold?
-told Henry he wont be executed this year
-had no visitors in fear of death row
-talked for 3 hours
-made him choose this line of work
How many of every fifteen people in the U.S is expected to go to jail or prison? How does this statistic compare to “black male babies” born in the U.S? What do you think about this?
-1 in every 15 people
-1 to every 3 black male babies
How much money is spent on prisons every year? Where does that money come from?
-80 billion
-comes from goverment
towards the end of this introduction, Stevenson says his work has taught him a vital lesson. What is it?
each of us is more than the worst thing we have ever done
What did Walter MacMaillian do for a living? Why, according to Stevenson, was this significant at the time?
-he started a pulpwood business
-he was a black man who had his own business in a racist time
Which fictional character does Stevenson compare Walter MacMillian to? Why?
-tom robinson
-wrongly accused black man on death row
How did the citizens of Monroe County see Walter after he testified at a hearing about the Kellys’ custody battle? Why?
-treated like a threat
-got a white woman to leave her white husband for a black man
What year was the ban on interracial marriage overturned in the state of Alabama? What percentage of people still voted to keep laws banning interracial marriage in Alabama?
-2000
-41%
What are “hitching posts”? When was this practice declared unconstitutional?
-prisoners are chained to a pole and forced to stand in an uncomfy position for hours
-2002
Explain what happened to Mr. Ruffin, a thirty-nine-year-old black man, after being stopped for a traffic violation.
-arrested then declared dead from natural causes
-actually was beat to death
Who is Bill Hooks? How is he connected to Walter McMillian’s case?
-a jailhouse snitch
-officers got him to say he saw walters truck at rhondas murder
Why is it significant that Walter’s trial was moved to Baldwin County?
made it harder for Walter to have any black ppl on his trial
-had less progression than monreo
What are conditions like on death row?
-windowless concrete buildings
-hot and uncomfy
-small cells all day
-rats, spiders, and snakes
-close to electric chair