Everyone should watch Netflix's new documentary, "The 13th." Similarly to Slate's Leon Neyfakh, my initial reactions to film were far from shock or surprise. I've read "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander and I've sat through a few sociology lectures that tackled the topics of mass incarceration and the prison industrial complex. What really struck me about this film, however, is the mere fact that a documentary like this would shock people.
"The 13th" is named after the amendment that abolished slavery, but, as the documentary points out, did not abolish slavery in the case of persons who have committed crimes. The film begins with "how we got here" and ends on "where we are," interviewing Michelle Alexander and multiple big-name journalists.
For fear of transcribing the film here, I will end with a strong suggestion for all Americans to take the time to view this documentary, particularly given the current social and political climate. The US prison system is among the largest in the world, accounting for 25 percent of all incarcerated criminals globally. "The 13th" paints an honest, frightening image of the incarceration system in our country and the disappointing lack of efforts to mend it.
Do something socially informative and enlightening with your Netflix subscription tonight.
