Reply to New Netflix Documentary '13TH'

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[quote=Anonymous]Anyone see this yet? http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/30/movies/13th-review-ava-duvernay.html  If not, its a must see. IMO Ava DuVernay ('Selma') did another award winning job.

The documentary essentially explains within 90+ mins or so, how the 13th amendment in the U.S. constitution, which abolished slavery, also came with a loophole that effectively still allows slavery: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, [b]except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,[/b][u] shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. "

'13TH' shows how this loophole was exploited and how it eventually led to the current mass incarceration of Black people in America today. It details how both state and federal governments, both Dems and Rs, have used law enforcement as a tool to oppress Blacks one way or another, from post-civil war, to more modern times under the guise of "law and order" or "war on drugs." After watching this film, its indisputable to me that today's 40% Black prison population, and the general mass incarceration of all, mostly poor, citizens of all colors since the 60s, is intentional and economically driven by BOTH parties.

From a balancing standpoint DuVernay does a great job of keeping the film's focus on the role and actions of the government. "White people," like myself, are NOT the demon here. At least not directly. Surprisingly, neither are law enforcement or police officers (directly). Its strictly government-focused. There also isn't much on 'Black Lives Matter' (which I still don't agree with, but understand). But its makes it clear 'Black Lives Matter' is just a small part of a movement that has been ongoing for 150 years.

I honestly feel like I need to watch it again. So much to unpack. And as a lover of history, I'm pretty ashamed that I did not know or fully understand at least 1/2 of the issues outlined in the film. I almost feel like DuVernay made this film with the intent to "awaken" moderates (like myself).  This film isn't going to move the hearts of trolls or people who seek quick/shallow answers or talking points, or who fail or choose not to understand the difference between correlation and causality, regarding complex social issues. For all others, particularly those who care about the dignity of all human life in this country, this is your film.

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