13th is a documentary directed by Ava DuVernay, which was produced in 2016. In the documentary, the major elements explored are justice, race, and mass killings in the US. The film starts with Barack Obama uttering that the US had 5% of the world’s population at the same time 25% of the prisoners globally come from the same country (DuVernay, 2016). From the film, it is clear that even after the civil war ended, black Americans have not yet been regarded as a substantial race. Influential people such as Angela Davis, Henry Louis, and Newt Gingrich are seen in the movie highlighting the need to stop treating African Americans unfairly in economic, social, and political matters.
On September 8th, 2020, Erina Moriarty posted about the hashtag ‘Scholar Strike’, which was a key move for the teaching professionals in institutions of higher learning to protest against racial imbalances in the US. On the following day, the Class Reform post communicated on the cancellation of classes where professors in the US used class time to protest against racial discrimination. Some of the professors did not teach and encouraged students to participate in the protest while other professors taught only about social injustice, racism, Blacks Lives Matter, and diversity.
During the interview with Ashley Bennet and Chelle, the issue of George Floyd is highlighted to showcase how African Americans are mistreated in the US. The hashtag ‘Say her name’ is used to bring women who are victims of racism in the US. Chelle says that she has been a victim of racism as been a woman of color in many white-centric environments. Bennet on her side acknowledges that she has to deal with racism, which makes her angry sometimes. The two interviewees concurred that feminism is a key element that must be incorporated with racial equality. The conversation is inspired by the desire to have positive regard for people of color and women’s empowerment.
Reference
DuVernay, A. (2016). 13th [Film]. United States of America; Kandoo Films.