Sometimes it is a good thing to read a book that is outside of your usually reads and even a bit uncomfortable. This book is not my typical read and definitely challenged my thought process. Some times when we live in a very sheltered world we can be narrow minded. Reading books like Exoneree Diaries can help us to be more understanding and accepting of people who come from a different walk in life than ourselves.
Through intimate portraits of four exonerated prisoners, journalist Alison Flowers explores what happens to innocent people after the state flings open the jailhouse door and tosses them back, empty-handed, into the unknown. As the journalist tells each exoneree's powerful story, Flowers vividly shows that release from prison, though sometimes joyous and hopeful, is not a Hollywood ending—or an ending at all. Rather, an exoneree's first unshackled steps are the beginning of a new journey full of turmoil and uncertainty. Flowers also sheds new light on the collateral damage of wrongful convictions on families and communities, confronting deeper problems of mass incarceration and the criminal justice system. The first story in this book especially touched my heart as I can imagine this story with many of the families of students I have taught over the year. Maybe after reading this story I will remember not to judge others. It serves as a reminder that we never know what others might have gone through. This book also makes me vividly aware of the importance of God’s love and personal connection for all inmates. The Bible references the ministries to prisoners all of the time. These stories make me realize that prisoners are worthy of God’s love and maybe we as Christians should be doing more to reach out to them. Rehabilitation does not come from the correctional system, rather the love and redemption of God. You can click on the following link to visit the author's web page and hear interviews from her investigative reporting on this book topic. alisonflowers.com/the-exoneree-diaries/
1 Comment
Christi Lenz
10/23/2018 07:11:09 am
What can we do as a church to share God's love with local inmates?
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AboutThis blog was created by Christi Lenz so we can explore additional reading topics from the UMW reading list outside of our regular book club meeting. Please join in! Archives
October 2018
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