What is a recurring theme concerning marginalized individuals in "Just Mercy"?

The chosen answer highlights a crucial theme in "Just Mercy," which focuses on the systemic injustices and discrimination faced by marginalized individuals, particularly in the criminal justice system. Throughout the book, Bryan Stevenson illustrates how race, poverty, and other factors lead to severe disparities in treatment and outcomes for those who are less privileged.

Stevenson details numerous instances of individuals who, because of their socioeconomic status or race, encounter biased legal representation, harsher sentencing, and unjust treatment within the system. This theme is pivotal as it underscores the broader societal issues that contribute to the cycle of incarceration and the ongoing struggles individuals face when they are part of marginalized communities.

In contrast, the other choices fail to address the depth of the injustices depicted in the book. Overrepresentation in crime statistics does not capture the underlying issues of unfair targeting and systemic bias. The assertion of equal protection under the law is contradicted by the narratives Stevenson presents, showing that many do not experience this protection. Lastly, claiming that marginalized individuals have more access to legal resources than affluent individuals is directly opposite to the realities described in "Just Mercy," where wealth often determines the quality of legal representation one can obtain.