Newly released to Netflix, the documentary 13th  is a critical and timely film discussing the 13th Amendment, which states that ‘neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.’

When 1 in 3 black men and increasingly more women see the inside of a prison cell in their lifetime, this means our job is serious.  We mean it when we say we are working hard to keep young people Alive & Free!

Instructor Ms. Demetra Jones says to the class, “I immediately thought of you when I saw this film.  I asked myself, ‘How do I figure this out so you’re not gobbled up in this system’.”

We asked the students for their reactions to the film…

Mike’el said, “It reminds me to stay on top and not fall into the trap, because I’ve had friends and family members fall into the trap. It also showed me that’s the outcome for doing something bad.”

Marianna said, “I learned that there are companies lobbying for these laws under ALEC and the CCA like Victoria Secret and JC Penny’s. Not only did I not know that, but I was putting my money into something that supported that.  My backpack is Victoria Secret. It’s deep.”