Review: Netflix’s “13th” documentary delivers

The new Netflix documentary “13th” is one of the best documentaries I have ever been able to sit through in my life. This film sheds light on the disgustingly terrible things that happened to enslaved African Americans.

They encompassed a majority of the information they wanted to show the public. The old black and white pictures and videos they presented described the terror and upset that was brought to a people that didn’t ask to be kidnapped and enslaved for years on years.

The film was about the 13th amendment and how the prison system filled the hole in the south that occurred when slavery was abolished. The 13th amendment says that no one can be held as a slave unless they are a criminal.

They showed how many black citizens in the U.S were incarcerated for minor infractions, such as loitering and drug offenses in the south (and north) once this bill was passed. The information wasn’t biased or opinionated, because everything was a fact. They did an amazing job at using credible quotes and people with obvious credentials to speak on a topic they knew about.

One of the main ideas in the documentary was the fact that being black in America is not easy, nor is it fun. There are actual hardships you have to experience, just due to the color of your skin, and they showed how far and opposite from okay that is.

This documentary lived up to everything and more. This was great cinematography and even better dialogue. The knowledge I gained from this is unforgettable and will influence me for the rest of my life.