Take a few moments to scroll through Facebook or watch the news, and it’s tempting to despair. That’s how I’ve felt over the past week, with every new bit of information about last weekend’s violence in Charlottesville. Clashing ideologies, supremacy, racism, hate, power, and so many images of people doing violence not just with bodies, but with words. Some days it’s all too much to take. Some days, it’s hard to believe brave souls are out there doing their part to heal the wounds, dismantling oppression one merciful act at a time.
It’s hard, tiring work, but it’s worth knowing about. It makes us all a little bit braver.
That’s the kind of story told in Just Mercy (see our Rabbit Reads recommendation). Bryan Stevenson’s account of judicial inequality is compelling and eye-opening, but most of all, his thoughtful arguments and steadfast dedication give me hope. And if you’re like me, you could use a little bit of that right now.
There’s a lot to say in the conversation about race and justice, and we want The Rabbit Room to be the sort of place where those conversations flow freely. That’s why we’re inviting you to read Just Mercy with us this fall.
Starting September 5th, Laure Hittle and I will be hosting a conversation as we read through the book. Every Tuesday, we’ll share some questions to spark discussion about the stories in the book and ways we can practice reconciliation and justice in our families, churches, and all the places we call home.
Here’s the reading plan:
- 9/5 – Intro, Ch 1-4
- 9/12 – Ch 5-8
- 9/19 – Ch 9-12
- 9/26 – Ch 13-16
- 10/3 – Break for Hutchmoot / Catch-up
- 10/10 – Epilogue and Post-Script, Wrap-up week
We hope you’ll join us! Pick up a copy in The Rabbit Room Store, and invite your friends to join the conversation. See you on September 5th!
Jen Rose Yokel is a poet, freelance writer, and spiritual director. Her words have appeared at She Reads Truth, CCM Magazine, and other publications, and she released her first poetry collection Ruins & Kingdoms in 2015. Originally from Central Florida, she now makes her home in Fall River, Massachusetts with her husband Chris, where you can find her enjoying used bookstores and good coffee.
8 Comments
Jesse Blocher
@jblocherI’m in.
Pete Peterson
@peteReally looking forward to this discussion.
Kris Camealy
Just got my copy. Looking forward to reading this in community with you all.
Yvette
I’m new here. Does the discussion happen in the comments in a blog post, FB group or page, or via some other format?
Jen Rose Yokel
@jroseyokelHey Yvette! So glad you’re here! We’ll be posting new questions on the blog every Tuesday morning, so you can comment on the post. There will also be a discussion thread on The Rabbit Room Forum if you prefer that format. We might share extra questions there too throughout the week. Welcome to The Rabbit Room!
Emma
Uh, so… I might have just read the whole book yesterday. So compelling. Also, extra relevant having just spent several intense days in a courthouse being evaluated for my fitness to serve on a jury.
Jen Rose Yokel
@jroseyokelIt’s incredibly compelling, Emma! And well… now you don’t have to worry about falling behind on the reading. 🙂 Glad you’re joining us!
Jen Rose Yokel
@jroseyokelHey y’all. Just a friendly reminder that if you’ve been reading along and haven’t joined the conversation at the forum yet, we’d love to have your voice! Whether you finished already or are just getting started, you can join the discussion here. 🙂
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