The 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution: Human Rights and Inequality (Essay Sample)

Film: The 13th
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Abstract
The 13th explores the intersection of race, race and mass incarceration. It derives its name from the 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution. Following the American Civil War, the amendment was ratified in 1865. The amendment aimed to free former slaves as it ruled slavery unlawful. The documentary explains the historical moments of reconstruction of slavery from Crow to Nixon's law and order campaigns to the drug war. In addition, the documentary explains different people's contributions to where the country is today in racism. This article aims at will elaborate on three statements that stood out for me in the documentary.
Film: The 13th
“13th Amendment Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, EXCEPT as a punishment for the crime of which the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction (U.S. Const. amend XIII)."
The 13th amendment has been quoted severally in the film. What made this stand out is that most people believe that the law in the amendment brought about a positive contribution to the fight against slavery. The film goes ahead and explains how the amendment never made slavery unconstitutional. The wording of the amendment set conditions on how slavery remains constitutional. It supported a system where individuals are now brought into slavery through criminalization. The film explains that the percentages of imprisoned black people rose and continue to rise due to the law because of slave rental practices and convict leasing. Convict leasing continues to happen and private prisons are clear evidence of this. The approach of convict leasing means that the amendment pretty much reversed what the slavery abolitionists had accomplished.
“Plea bargain is one of the worst violations of human rights."