"13th" Documentary Film: Reflection

The 13th documentary, directed by Ava DuVernay, provides a profound exploration of the Thirteenth Amendment and its implications on the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the US. This amendment was meant to abolish slavery, yet the film highlights exceptions to this clause, specifically that slavery is banned except as a punishment for a crime. My reflection on the documentary deepened my understanding of how today’s prison and labor systems can be viewed as continuations of historical practices akin to slavery, especially within the context of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Slavery was outlawed for everyone except criminals; consequently, a Black person could be “re-enslaved,” which DuVernay demonstrates is still present in our systems today. After the Civil War, Black people were criminalized for minor infractions—like loitering—as part of a scheme to reassert control. The film describes how mass incarceration emerged partly as a negative response to the Civil Rights Movement. The prison system remains racist and violent, continually evolving rather than improving. Since the 1940s, prison populations have been rising. It’s disheartening that as protests for rights have increased, the political system often resists by punishing Black communities, relying on trivial reasons for imprisonment. 13th shows that criminalization remains embedded in our society and represents an ongoing strand of racism. One striking fact was that “1 in 3 African Americans will go to jail in their lifetime, while 1 in 17 White Americans will go to jail,” illustrating systemic injustice and the persistence of racism.

The documentary’s storytelling aspect vividly shows how the legacy of the Thirteenth Amendment and slavery affects Black communities. Malcom X noted, “History is a people’s memory, and without memory, man is demoted to the lower animals.” The film serves as a wake-up call to reclaim humanity and rights historically denied, reminding us that our past shapes the present. Though the nation doesn’t openly seek to dehumanize African Americans or prisoners, we still facilitate it, especially when media outlets exploit Black men.

13th also highlights disturbing instances of African Americans being shot by police who use “stand your ground” defenses. It forces me to wonder if Black Americans were ever truly “free” and whether slavery was truly abolished. Racist methods morph repeatedly; once one fails, another appears. We may be freer than in the past, but it’s unclear if we’ll ever reach complete “freedom.” The film underscores that genuine change comes from the people, not just politicians. Above all, 13th educated, inspired, and challenged me, exposing how the Thirteenth Amendment still influences our society, and hopefully prodding white America to humanize itself sooner rather than later.