13th Reflection

Although we have the 13th Amendment banning slavery, some believe that our government leaders still haven’t accepted it, and they have found other ways to continue the mistreatment of people of color. The movie 13th explores the controversial topic of racism and discrimination from African Americans’ perspectives. I agree with most of the information presented in this movie; I also support their overall conclusion that the 13th Amendment is a tool to get rid of African Americans in our society. I believe that your government has taken part in numerous ways to target and infuriate African Americans in society, even after the 13th Amendment and the Civil Rights movement. The quotes and information presented in this video strengthen my thoughts and ideas of the mistreatment and unjust behaviors towards African Americans.
However, various people in the 13 would most likely disagree with that statement. In fact, New Jersey Senator, Cory Booker, said that “Right now, we have more African-Americans under criminal supervision that all the slaves back in the 1850s.” Booker’s point is that while African Americans have equal rights,but the justice system is full of racism and discrimination which separates whites from blacks. Another quote that reinforces the idea of racism in our justice system comes professor and writer Michelle Alexander. She says that, “So many aspects of the old Jim Crows are suddenly legal again once you’ve been a branded felon.” What she means by this is that once you’ve been convicted as a felon you suddenly lose may rights as a U.S.