Introduction
The issue of racial discrimination and the consequences of slavery in the US is a highly controversial topic in America in this day and age. The Netflix documentary entitled 13th provides insight into the issue of constitutional slavery in America through the means of the justice system’s incarceration. The provided evidence shows a strong bias in the justice system, which makes for a solid point toward incarceration being a form of slavery.
Incarceration as Modern-Day Slavery
Evidence
The documentary provides specific evidence that slavery is continued through the justice system of the US. For example, it shows that the 13th Amendment, which grants freedom to all individuals, makes an exception for prisoners, therefore announcing all imprisoned people as enslaved people. To further prove its point, the documentary states that the image of black people has been closely linked with the notion of a criminal in American society. This perception was used to unrightfully and disproportionately imprison people of color.
Personal Reflection
In my opinion, the notion of incarceration by itself is not a source of continuation for slavery as its intended use is for punishment and protection of innocent citizens. The system’s current state is one with high rates of imprisonment and an abundance of racial biases. Thus, it is safe to assume that it targets and harms black people the way slavery did.
The Criminal Justice System Today: Reform or Illusion?
The current direction of the justice system concerns changes that aim to mend the consequences of previous justice policies. Both prevalent American parties, Democrats and Republicans, express their dissatisfaction with the current state of the matter. When discussing this issue, it is essential to understand that all politicians care about their public image with a specific demographic to which they cater.
It is not a new notion that a politician makes a promise but does not make good on it. However, the current state of the justice system and the prevalence of racial bias create an environment in which a simple promise is not enough to satisfy the public. Therefore, in a certain sense of the word, the expressed drive for change is genuine as long as it serves for real improvement.
Responding to Bryan Stevenson’s Challenge: Are We Tolerating Injustice?
In his assumption that many people say that they would not have tolerated racial injustices in the past but continue to tolerate many of them now, Bryan Stephenson is correct. An example of such injustice is the racial bias of seeing black people as criminals or morally corrupt individuals who are incapable of empathy and improvement. Another example is the belief that black people are inclined to specific professions, hobbies, or lifestyles and are incapable of partaking in other ones. This status quo can be demolished by the dismantling of racial stereotypes in media and the public by promoting black people’s voices and showing their experiences with biases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the documentary has dramatically impacted my view of the justice system of America and its biases. The film shows the roots of the injustice in the incarceration process and its consequences. It is heartbreaking to know that racial issues still plague the system that is supposed to protect people within it. In response, society should take a firmer stance towards improvement and justice. It is necessary to ensure no difference in how suspects are treated, prosecuted, and rehabilitated based on their skin color and ethnicity.