The 13th Documentary Film and Effectiveness of Its Message

Introduction

In today's society, the United States stands as a nation of contradictions. It boasts five percent of the world's population, yet it also holds a staggering twenty-five percent of the world's prisoners. This stark reality raises unsettling questions about freedom and justice. Ava DuVernay's documentary, "13TH," dives deep into the intricate web of America's prison system and its profound role in perpetuating racial inequality. With a keen focus on the history of racial injustice in the United States, particularly the disproportionate incarceration of African Americans, DuVernay employs a range of rhetorical strategies to shed light on the systemic prejudices that persist. This essay delves into the documentary's use of ethos, logos, and pathos to craft a compelling argument and educate the public on the struggles of minorities in the United States.

The 13th Movie Summary

"13th" is a thought-provoking documentary film directed by Ava DuVernay, released in 2016. The film delves into the complex and deeply rooted issues of racial inequality and mass incarceration in the United States. Spanning 100 minutes, "13th" takes viewers on a historical journey through the American justice system, tracing the evolution of racial discrimination from the days of slavery to the present.

The film's title, "13th," refers to the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery in 1865. However, it also included a clause that allowed for the involuntary servitude of individuals as punishment for a crime. DuVernay explores how this loophole has been exploited throughout history to perpetuate systemic racism.

The documentary meticulously chronicles the post-Civil War era, the rise of Jim Crow laws, and the civil rights movement, highlighting the ways in which African Americans were systematically marginalized and oppressed. It then transitions to the late 20th century and examines the "War on Drugs" and "tough on crime" policies, which disproportionately targeted and incarcerated Black communities.

Through interviews with scholars, activists, and politicians, "13th" exposes how political decisions and media narratives have contributed to the demonization of Black people and the creation of a racially biased criminal justice system. The film particularly emphasizes the role of corporations and lobbying groups in influencing policies that prioritize profit over rehabilitation and justice.

One of the film's central arguments is that the United States has effectively replaced the chains of slavery with the bars of prison, disproportionately impacting Black and minority communities. It also scrutinizes the privatization of prisons, highlighting the financial incentives behind mass incarceration.

"13th" weaves together a compelling narrative of historical events and contemporary issues, leaving viewers with a profound understanding of the pervasive nature of racial discrimination in the American criminal justice system. The documentary challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about the nation's past and present, ultimately calling for a reexamination of policies and attitudes that perpetuate racial injustice.

Rhetorical Analysis of the 13th Documentary

Ava DuVernay masterfully constructs a chronological timeline of pivotal events that have shaped our contemporary reality. Her intention was to create a documentary that resonates with a broad audience, weaving together multiple arguments and diverse film themes. One prominent theme revolves around the portrayal of African Americans as criminals, a troubling pattern that traces back to D.W. Griffith's 1915 film, "Birth of a Nation." This insidious portrayal has led many to unconsciously associate black individuals with criminality, perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Another theme explores how mass incarceration has become a modern-day substitute for slavery. Despite the thirteenth amendment, countless prisoners are subjected to forced labor without compensation, a practice reminiscent of the slavery era. Politicians have implemented policies that disproportionately affect African Americans, effectively funneling them into a system where they can be exploited as free labor. Additionally, the documentary highlights the influence of corporate interests in shaping the prison population. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is implicated for introducing federal policies that seem to prioritize profit over justice, leading to the overrepresentation of African Americans and immigrants behind bars. Lastly, "13TH" underscores the dehumanization of African Americans, emphasizing the importance of recognizing that black lives matter and acknowledging how America has both consciously and unconsciously dehumanized its black population. These themes, woven throughout the documentary, provide a rich backdrop for exploring the use of ethos, logos, and pathos in crafting its persuasive argument.

Ethos

DuVernay employs the rhetorical strategy of ethos effectively by using credible sources to persuade her target audience. She draws from historic figures, including presidential speeches, to establish credibility and authenticity. Icons such as Martin Luther King, Fred Hampton, and Angela Davis lend their voices to the documentary, grounding it in the words of those who have endured the struggles of being a minority in America. Angela Davis, for instance, poignantly states, "That’s why when anybody asks me about violence, I just find it incredible because what it means is that the person who’s asking that question has absolutely no idea what black people have gone through, what black people have experienced in this United States since the time the first black person was kidnapped from the shores of Africa." These recognizable figures resonate with the public, fostering trust in their testimonies about the minority experience. Moreover, DuVernay incorporates legal experts, such as attorneys, whose perspectives add depth and credibility to the documentary's examination of the issues at hand. When discussing ALEC, the director ensures the audience knows that it is a powerful corporation influencing lawmakers, solidifying the credibility of her sources. Throughout the documentary, the use of ethos enhances its credibility by presenting both information and trusted voices.

Logos

The central focus of the documentary "13TH" revolves around the 13th amendment, and it serves as a cornerstone of logical argumentation within the film. The fact that this amendment is enshrined in the United States Constitution, the governing document for every individual in the nation, lends it undeniable credibility. Within this Constitution lies a disturbing truth—embedded injustice, which further underscores the film's message about discrimination against minorities. While the United States accounts for only 6% of the world's population, it detains a staggering one-fourth of the global prison population. This stark statistic, alongside the disheartening reality that one in three black men is likely to find themselves incarcerated compared to one in seventeen white men, reinforces the documentary's argument using the power of logos. Throughout the film, the director skillfully incorporates logos through prison statistics, legal statutes, and personal stories of those impacted, effectively educating the audience.

Pathos

The documentary leverages imagery and compelling data to evoke a strong emotional response from the viewers. The inclusion of images depicting enslaved individuals and incarcerated African Americans resonates emotionally, as it is distressing to witness such injustices in the real world. Scenes depicting the harsh conditions faced by inmates for minor offenses or the haunting imagery of lynching evoke feelings of anger, aligning with the documentary's goal to educate the public about racial issues. The documentary also connects contemporary events, like a Donald Trump rally, to historical instances of racism, demonstrating the persistent nature of these problems and the pressing need for systemic change.

Furthermore, the documentary extensively explores the struggles and injustices faced by people of color. It delves into various issues that disproportionately affect African Americans, revealing how the system seems designed for their disadvantage. Ava DuVernay highlights the civil rights movements initiated by African Americans in response to ongoing government injustices. The documentary underscores the profound impact of incarceration rates on minority communities, shedding light on the suffering and injustice they endure through historical evidence. Instances of police brutality and lynching are presented to elicit strong emotional responses, further contributing to the film's powerful message. By portraying multiple facets of how African Americans are set up to fail and highlighting the oppression faced by minorities, the documentary serves as an educational tool.

However, it is essential to acknowledge that the documentary lacks comprehensive representation of opposing viewpoints. Throughout the film, it predominantly focuses on one perspective and its associated beliefs. The few representatives from the opposing side appear ill-informed and inadequately prepared to engage in meaningful dialogue, portraying them as poorly versed in their own standpoint. The documentary fails to provide an adequate platform for those with differing views, resulting in a noticeable bias toward the filmmakers' perspective. This omission diminishes the documentary's overall impact, as it could have been strengthened by presenting a more balanced representation of both sides of the argument. Such inclusivity would have allowed the film to garner a broader range of viewers and foster more meaningful discussions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "13TH" is a documentary that effectively shapes viewers' perspectives on the issue of injustice toward minorities in the United States through the skillful application of rhetorical techniques, including ethos, pathos, and logos. Ava DuVernay conveys a compelling and influential message by using these techniques to lend credibility to her persuasive argument. With a wealth of factual information, influential voices, and emotional elements, the documentary leaves a profound impact on its audience, ultimately serving as a powerful tool for education and awareness.

Works Cited

1. DuVernay, A. (Director). (2016). 13TH [Documentary]. Netflix.
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