Covering The Criminalization on African Americans in The 13th Documentary

Introduction

The 13th Amendment was passed through the Senate on April 8, 1864, and the House on January 31, 1865, marking a significant turning point at the end of the Civil War as it formally abolished slavery in the United States. It states that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime where the party has been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction (U.S. Const. amend. XIII).

Covering the Criminalization of African Americans in The 13th Documentary

The documentary "13th" offers a compelling critique of our criminal justice system and political institutions, characterizing them as corrupt and self-serving. Political institutions have historically made decisions for their own benefit, maintaining slavery-like practices through criminalizing behavior, and coercing police to arrest innocent men to work for the state under convict leasing. This systemic oppression of African Americans is further perpetuated by lynchings, Jim Crow laws, conservative Republicans declaring a war on drugs, and the late twentieth-century mass incarceration of people of color in the United States (DuVernay, 2016).

The implementation of the three-strikes law disproportionately targeted African Americans, essentially stipulating that upon a third conviction, individuals faced severe penalties. This led to prisons prioritizing space for convicted felons over misdemeanor inmates. By 1990, the U.S. prison population was 1,179,200, and by 2000 it had surged to 2,015,300, resulting in broken families and children living without their parents (Alexander, 2010). The financial inability to post bail led to 97% of defendants accepting plea bargains. Kalief Browder's tragic story, who refused a plea deal to avoid being unjustly labeled a criminal, highlights the punitive nature of the system. After enduring abuse during his imprisonment, he committed suicide two years post-release, underscoring the devastating impact of wrongful convictions (Gonnerman, 2014).

The War on Drugs and Its Consequences

The war on drugs primarily targeted African Americans, leading to disproportionately high incarceration rates. Politically, it served as a tool for various administrations, but its devastating costs are undeniable—wasted resources, bloodshed, and the destruction of millions of lives due to punitive measures extending beyond prison walls (Tonry, 1995). One in every eight black men has been imprisoned due to felony convictions, reflecting the severe racial disparities within the justice system.

Media, Popular Culture, and "White Fear"

After reviewing the documentary, it becomes evident that media and popular culture have exacerbated "white fear" and anxiety stemming from the injustices faced by African Americans. Innocent individuals live in fear of being stopped and potentially harmed by white officers for minor infractions. The lifetime likelihood of imprisonment for white men is 1 in 17, whereas for black men it is 1 in 3, with black men comprising 40.2% of the U.S. prison population (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2021). The case of George Zimmerman, who was acquitted after killing 12-year-old Tamir Rice because he "looked suspicious," reflects a societal acceptance of racial profiling and violence under the guise of self-defense. Police violence, however, is merely a symptom of a larger brutal system of racial and social control known as mass incarceration, which legitimizes the violence against innocent black individuals (Alexander, 2010).

Solutions and Moving Forward

Overall, to address these fears and stereotypes perpetuating modern-day racism, individuals must recognize their own privileges and work to dismantle systemic racism. We cannot be silenced by fear of "getting it wrong" because the goal of oppression is to stifle voices and strip away rights. Speaking out fosters awareness, leading to policy changes and support for equality (King, 1963). Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned a colorblind world, not one that ignores race, but one that acknowledges it to eliminate racism. Ignoring race dismisses a significant aspect of identity and perpetuates injustices. Recognizing racial differences is crucial for achieving equity and equality. Although racism persists, it is vital for African Americans and people of color to continue advocating for their rights and not allow the world to silence them.

References

• Alexander, M. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.
• Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2021). Prisoners in 2020. U.S. Department of Justice.
• DuVernay, A. (Director). (2016). 13th [Film]. Netflix.
• Gonnerman, J. (2014, October 6). Before the Law. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/10/06/before-the-law
• King, M. L. Jr. (1963). I Have a Dream. Speech.
• Tonry, M. (1995). Malign Neglect: Race, Crime, and Punishment in America. Oxford University Press.