The documentary 13th points out a connection conspiracy in a detailed concern the struggle of racial profiling among the black more importantly on the issue of historical slavery and legal injustices.
The documentary is good case study given its presents a controversial issue at an investigation angle. It is more of a connecting the dots backward probe.
The issue of racial profiling criminalization in the justice systems with interior motives other than to correct behavior, other arising motives associated with impunity are discussed.
Directed by Ava DuVernay, the film cites the thirteenth amendment of the US constitution which criminalizes slavery in any manner. The concept of historically African American profiling as slaves is insinuated as the modern way of criminalizing most black American and jailing them. Interestingly 13th amendment points that all Americans should practice freedom except criminals the narrator signifies the highlight to except prisoners puts to light that a government would take advantage to manipulate or interpret in any way. Traditionally slaves were part of the economy equation who were mostly the African American. Whom after the struggle and enactment of the 13th amendment, a vacuum to provide labor is left. Though technology and mechanization have been enhanced, use of prisoners mostly targeting black Americans was a new way as Ava DuVernay narrates (DuVernay, 3.20-7.30).
In a deep context, various narrators reconnoiter the economic history of slavery and the after Civil War racist legislation. In a deeper realization, the Southern States criminalize minor offenses, therefore, jailing quite a lot of black America population who could not pay fines. Segregation was legislated and lynching of blacks was encouraged. Such practices are put in place as systems of racial control. In this way the could control the African American population. Various political initiatives are put in place such war on drugs mainly targeting black community. Political Cartels are stated to have taken over given that the initiative of private prison services with companies that service the prisons taking huge profits most of this prisons tend to remain full (DuVernay,52.10-59.00).
In a great way, the concern raised seem to have a weighty impact more importantly to the Black community generation. There is still much left to be done in terms of racial justice. Th pretense by the government to manipulate the black community through legislation should be a matter of national importance and be addressed both in the Senate and at the national level.
The director achieves communicating the analogy in a great way. He has compiled various opinions from witnesses, accomplices, editors, and investigators. Obama speech commences the 1 and a quarter hour film, Obama opens up of the USA hosting 25 %of the prisoners in the world. With such prison population, there are rising costs to maintain the prisons. The concept of privatization of the US prisons is also brought to light The film cites the analogy on the book Birth of the Nation as well. Various speeches and quotations from popular personalities and their views are also presented including Newt Gingrich, Henry Louis Bryan Stevenson, Gates Jr., Cory Booker, Van Jones, Angela Davis among others. Also, historical pictures are quite and video simulations. Current data, figures and various prison statistics in a big way support the conspiracy.
Though the rate of crimes in the United States seems to have been lowered. There is need to decongest the prisons and use other methods such as social counseling and community empowerment programs to uplift most convicts who are unemployed. It is a high time the United States lifts bails and fines on minor offenses and result to community work and so proper legislation on ending management of prisons by private institutions gave their aim is to maintain profits.
