Bryan Stevenson
The Reformer
Changing the system from inside it, principle turned into change.
Bryan Stevenson is a prominent lawyer and social justice advocate known for his work on behalf of those on death row and his efforts to reform the criminal justice system. This interview reveals his deep commitment to truth and reconciliation, as well as his belief in the necessity of addressing historical injustices to create a more equitable society.
“Of terror weren't done under the cover of darkness. They weren't done by clan members in hoods. They were done by the legislators and the lawyers and the law enforcement officers and the clergy and the teachers, sometimes literally on the courthouse lawn.”
“And so today I live in a state where but for federal intervention, but for the federal government, but for the federal constitution, it wouldn't be legal for that very, very talented football team that keeps winning all of these national championships to even be on the field.”
“And I tried to figure out how to stay in school. And my first generation college no one else in my family had gone to college before me and my brother.”
“I don't think there's any question. I mean, you know, you just have to look at the increase in hate crimes since 2008. You just have to listen to the rhetoric. And anytime there has been some marker of progress, there has been a very, very strong reaction. That was true after emancipation. That was true after civil rights era.”
The Axe Files with David Axelrod — Best of The Axe Files: Bryan Stevenson
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