A well-known social justice activist visited Northern Illinois University Monday night.
Bryan Stevenson is the author of Just Mercy, a required reading for many freshman at NIU as part of the university's Common Reading Experience. The book tackles social injustices related to race and poverty, mass incarceration and the death penalty.
Stevenson addressed hundreds of students and members of the campus about the importance of staying hopeful and getting a better understanding of the issues facing the country.
Ashley Palmer, a graduate student at NIU, says several efforts are needed to work toward social justice for all.
“…That you have to be up close to it, that you have to get up on it, and that you have to believe that there are enough people who want to see ‘right’ done in the world to actually make a difference," Palmer said.
NIU English instructor John Bradley says Just Mercy validates some of his students’ feelings about social injustices.
“And it also teaches them that we have a history, and we need to do something about it," Bradley said. "This is a long ongoing thing, and if we’re going to change it, they, we all, have to do something."
Stevenson's visit is part of several events this year tied to themes of the book. A "Diversity Dialogue" next month looks at promoting change in the social media age.