13th is a Netflix documentary that examines the connection between race, mass incarceration, and slavery. 13th was written by Ana DuVernay, an American screenwriter and director. Ana DuVernay is also known for her contribution Selma. 13th focuses on a single question that many Americans may have: “If the 13th Amendment of the US constitution freed black people, then why are so many black people not free?” The filmmakers examine many hindering factors that the black community have faced or may face in the future. The documentary suggests a critical issue in the African American community, mass incarceration, is a new form of slavery permitted by the 13th amendment. Mass incarceration refers to the incredibly high population of the prison systems.
…show more content…
The 13th amendment bans slavery and grants freedom. However, the loophole states that slavery is banned and freedom is granted to all Americans except criminals. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have slavery been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, nor any place subject to their jurisdiction" (U.S. constitution). In other words, slavery is permitted when punishing a criminal. Therefore, with deductive reasoning, incarceration is slavery. The documentary describes some of the injustices that happened to blacks, such as, being arrested for minor crimes and their punishment was providing labor without being paid. However, this sounds very similar to the current prison systems, if not identical. The prisons today appear to be filled with individuals who have been arrested on minor charges and given maximum prison times. According to Sara Burrows, author at “Return to Now”, “The vast majority – 86 percent – of prisoners have been locked up for non-violent, victimless crimes, many of them drug-related” (Burrows). Along with the connection of incarceration and slavery, race is a significant …show more content…
The NAACP criminal justice fact sheet states, “African Americans now constitute nearly 1 million of the total 2.3 million incarcerated population and are incarcerated at nearly six times the rate of whites” (NAACP). Therefore, the 13th amendment loophole appears to be made directly for people of color. In addition, if the loophole is made directly for the people of color, the people of color are sliding into slavery once again. Which leads us full circle back to the primary question. Why are there so many African Americans not free? Is it true that the prison system is purely set in place for the rehabilitation of criminals and punishment or is it set in place for the free labor? The answer to the stated questions may not ever be provided an answer; however, mass incarceration does limit the African American population while providing fortune to the white
The 13th amendment bans slavery and grants freedom. However, the loophole states that slavery is banned and freedom is granted to all Americans except criminals. "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have slavery been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, nor any place subject to their jurisdiction" (U.S. constitution). In other words, slavery is permitted when punishing a criminal. Therefore, with deductive reasoning, incarceration is slavery. The documentary describes some of the injustices that happened to blacks, such as, being arrested for minor crimes and their punishment was providing labor without being paid. However, this sounds very similar to the current prison systems, if not identical. The prisons today appear to be filled with individuals who have been arrested on minor charges and given maximum prison times. According to Sara Burrows, author at “Return to Now”, “The vast majority – 86 percent – of prisoners have been locked up for non-violent, victimless crimes, many of them drug-related” (Burrows). Along with the connection of incarceration and slavery, race is a significant …show more content…
The NAACP criminal justice fact sheet states, “African Americans now constitute nearly 1 million of the total 2.3 million incarcerated population and are incarcerated at nearly six times the rate of whites” (NAACP). Therefore, the 13th amendment loophole appears to be made directly for people of color. In addition, if the loophole is made directly for the people of color, the people of color are sliding into slavery once again. Which leads us full circle back to the primary question. Why are there so many African Americans not free? Is it true that the prison system is purely set in place for the rehabilitation of criminals and punishment or is it set in place for the free labor? The answer to the stated questions may not ever be provided an answer; however, mass incarceration does limit the African American population while providing fortune to the white