By Such a bold statement: yet once you have read my article and watched this powerful documentary, you will most likely share the same opinion. In the light of Black History Month and with the American (USA) elections approaching, I recently decided to take some time out and watch a documentary called 13th (only shown on Netflix as far as I am aware – do correct me if I am wrong). One thing I did learn immediately was that Slavery was and has never been abolished – yes in my opinion.
Carry on reading why I believe slavery is still alive.
Director Ava DuVernay produced the documentary called 13th. It challenges and even dismantles the collective idea that we as a world believe in the word “progress”.
How does one define progress?
The 13th amendment: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.”
What does this mean?
The definition above gives the assumption that American citizens are protected under the Constitution – yet when you watch this powerful documentary you begin to understand that really and truly, slavery was and has never been abolished in the USA! It has quite simply been amended to fit into the purpose of the people in charge of the so called free world.
A chilling fact is that the USA is home to 5% of the world’s population; yet 25% of the world’s prisoners are in the USA, with an even greater percentage either on probation or on parole! And guess what colour the vast majority of these prisoners, etc are? The percentage of black people, compared to their total population in the USA – men and the poor in particular, who spend their lives in prison, on probation and on parole, was and is still horrendous. Simply put, the number and proportion of Black people imprisoned, on probation or on parole is higher than any other ethic group – even though Black people are less than 20% of the total population of the USA! Some of the more damaging effects are that large numbers of households are headed by single women – resulting in even more children growing up without fathers or father-figures; thus creating the perfect storm for perpetuating more poverty, poor education, lack of upward social mobility and consequent future incineration and recidivism! To think that the numbers are continuously rising is extremely disturbing!
The Documentary
The documentary covers the inescapable and undeniable connections of the legal and political systems to the mass incarceration of black people. It goes far back to the time of slavery and up to where we are now – with civil rights for black people. While it’s fair to say that the system appear to have changed, with you begging to under the use of language like you learn that there hasn’t been any real change in that the essentials and spirit of the legal and political system are still very much the same – keeping black people as “criminals”, and in chains! Its only more complex now; but the historical examples of slavery are still happening today! You and I still live in an era of slavery!
13th goes deep into breaking it down as to why this still happens and what the benefits are to the community of captors. One word – and that is profit! Which is exactly what it was all about during the era of slavery. The present private prison system earns millions in profits for its shareholders, simply from the head count of prisoners. So, its in the interest of the managers, shareholders and other beneficiaries to lock up as many people as possible – be it Black, Hispanic or anyone else who doesn’t fit “the real American agenda! “
13th is not just a documentary, but a demand. It is demanding that we know what has happened and how much our world hasn’t changed. Like I said in my last article, black history month: what for? With the American election fast approaching (on Tuesday November 8, 2016), it doesn’t matter now who you vote for; the constitution and laws still stand!
Paula
September 22, 2019This is an incredibly POWERFUL article! Having seen Ava Duvernay’s film “13th”, I have a deeper understanding of this and keep learning more. Mass Incarceration is by design and there to destroy the Black Family. The poor are also targeted too. A number of companies were exposed having used inmates for labour to make their products. Prisons are also on the stick market I believe!
Adebola - MyBreakingViews
September 22, 2019Hey Paula,
Thank you so much for reading my post! I totally agree with you! I think there is so much we can learn from the 13th and try and raise awareness if possible. x