Ted Video Response

Bryan Stevenson talks about identity in his Ted video. He plays off of the power of identity and how it contributes to our lives and how it is at risk within the justice system. He talks about the lessons he learned from his grandma and how she was always watching him and how powerful and loving she was. He tells us how she taught him three things. These included, always love your mother, always do the right thing, even if it is not popular, and to never drink. He goes on to explain the justice system and how in 1972 there were 300,000 people incarcerated and now in 2012 there are millions of people incarcerated. There is a disconnect in the justice system that takes a toll on our society. He says we live in a society full of judement and where a judge can make you something you are not, for example the young African American teenage boy he was defending that was tried as an adult. In his eyes it was a race issue and he pushed for a motion to try him as an older Caucasian male that was very high ranked in society. Stevenson tells us about a janitor that he met that was so proud of him and how he came in the court room while everyone was outraged about his motion and sat down. When a deputy approached him and asked him what he was doing in the courtroom he explained to him that he wanted to tell him to keep his eyes on the prize and to just hold on. That is the message that Stevenson wanted to send out to his Ted viewers. I think this was a very good video. Bryan Stevenson really strived to make sure people are doing what they should. He wants to change somethings in the justice system to better them and to better our society.