Bethune-Cookman University's Center for Law & Social Justice Brings Awareness to the American Criminal Justice System through "Just Mercy" Movie Screening

On Tuesday, February 4, the Bethune-Cookman University Center for Law & Social Justice in partnership with the Male Development Initiative, National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) and the College of Liberal Arts hosted a movie screening and conversation on the new film, “Just Mercy.” The event provided an evening of reflection, dialogue, and action concerning injustices within the American criminal justice system. The recently released movie "Just Mercy" involving the wrongful conviction of an innocent Black man in rural south Alabama during the 1980s was shown at the Cobb Daytona Luxury 12 Theater, followed by a constructive and solution focused community conversation about the film in B-CU’s Center for Civic Engagement.

 "The younger generation is overloaded with social media and tons of other things,” said Marcus Stokes, Senior Psychology student. “We don't feel and did not experience the things the older generation’s felt, therefore we need to be taught how to fight injustice. Events like this should be used more often to invoke our interest and passion.  In fact, it should be a part of our course work here at the university,” he added.

Event panelists included B-CU students Latoya Damon and Alex Baker, Jr., Daytona/Volusia NAACP President Cynthia Slater, Hatchett Bar Association members Attorneys Camille Martin, Joan Anthony, Kevin Allen-Nash, Regina Nunnally, and Kelvin Daniels, and retired law enforcement professional Derrick Harris, and was moderated by Dr. Kideste Yusef, Department Chair of Justice & Political Studies.

"Given the nature of the justice system, the event was a great success in providing students and the community a much needed platform for dialogue as a prescription for social and political change,” said B-CU Instructor of International Studies & Political Science Professor Bradley Gardner.

Tonight, February 11, 2020, at 7 p.m. in the Center for Civic Engagement, the Center for Law & Social Justice, Student Activities, National Association of Black in Criminal Justice (NABCJ), and the College of Liberal Arts will present "An Evening of Conversation" with renowned civil rights attorney, author, and producer Benjamin L. Crump.  Attorney Crump will discuss his best selling book, "Legalized Genocide of Colored People: Open Season".  The book lays out a historical case on how the American Criminal Justice System has been used to oppress, control, and destroy a race of people.