The 13th documentary was directed by Ava DuVernay. The film explores the intersection of race and mass incarceration in the United States.

13TH | FULL FEATURE | Netflix

The film establishes the connections to our country’s history of slavery and segregation. The film tells us that systems reinvent themselves. We also learned from Dr. Camera Jones, that institutionalized racism has the most significant impact on health outcomes.

Assignment Instructions:

After watching the nextflix video, take some time to reflect and respond to the the below questions in a 3-4 page paper on historic and current racial inequity that still exist in the US.

1. What was your initial reactions and new insights after watching “The 13th”? 10pts

2. Identify and describe at least two political policies that have been put in place that has led to a rise in the prison population (this will require some research). Describe what the policy is/was, when it was implemented, by what administration (who promoted the policies), and the direct/indirect impact on individuals in the system, families and communities. 20pts

3. What are your thoughts on the film’s argument that people have been subconsciously conditioned by the media to fear Black men? How does this impact health outcomes within the African American community? 10pts.

4. Give six detailed examples of efforts Americans (i.e. institutions, government, corporations, individuals) need to take to dismantle the negative stereotypes about Black and Latino communities in efforts to bridge the dividing gap between different cultures and ethnic groups (10pts).