“13th”, a 2016 documentary, dives deep into details regarding prison systems in the United States. The documentary discusses the history of inequality as well. The title “13th” gets its name as reference to the thirteenth amendment. The thirteenth amendment states that it is unethical for one to become a slave; this documentary shows just how ironic it is that prisoners often times get treated as one. Though, some may disagree.
In relation to this, the filmmaker makes an argument for the situation. African Americans live in the land of the free. Yet, they are still being enslaved, but in the form of prison, rather than slavery itself. From the film’s perspective, it is appropriate to go as far as to saying this: the thirteenth amendment is …show more content…
She was one of the professionals featured in the documentary. Since she is an activist, who actually lived through historical events from the film, she deserves all credibility to serve as a primary source. The stories she spoke about in the film are her first hand encounters as a black woman who lived through the 1960s. For example, when explaining the moment she almost was locked up and imprisoned, she says, “That's why when someone asks me about violence, I just find it incredible because what it means is that the person who's asking that question has absolutely no idea what black people have gone through, what black people have experienced in this country since the time the first black person was kidnapped from the shores of Africa”.
Moreover, two secondary sources from the film include video footage of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. “13th” illuminates the historical significance of mass incarceration by dating back to the very first incident. An African American was kidnapped from shore. By telling viewers this, it reveals systematic racism is indented in America. The documentary places much emphasis on the need to acknowledge the issue with racism. It will not end unless someone does something about it, and that includes mass incarceration in
In relation to this, the filmmaker makes an argument for the situation. African Americans live in the land of the free. Yet, they are still being enslaved, but in the form of prison, rather than slavery itself. From the film’s perspective, it is appropriate to go as far as to saying this: the thirteenth amendment is …show more content…
She was one of the professionals featured in the documentary. Since she is an activist, who actually lived through historical events from the film, she deserves all credibility to serve as a primary source. The stories she spoke about in the film are her first hand encounters as a black woman who lived through the 1960s. For example, when explaining the moment she almost was locked up and imprisoned, she says, “That's why when someone asks me about violence, I just find it incredible because what it means is that the person who's asking that question has absolutely no idea what black people have gone through, what black people have experienced in this country since the time the first black person was kidnapped from the shores of Africa”.
Moreover, two secondary sources from the film include video footage of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. “13th” illuminates the historical significance of mass incarceration by dating back to the very first incident. An African American was kidnapped from shore. By telling viewers this, it reveals systematic racism is indented in America. The documentary places much emphasis on the need to acknowledge the issue with racism. It will not end unless someone does something about it, and that includes mass incarceration in