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  • Essay / A Question of Mass Incarceration in the Films When They See Us and 13th

    Table of ContentsWhen They See Us13th DocumentaryConclusionReferencesDespite a sustained decline in the crime rate in the United States over the past two decades, the country continues to face a high incarceration rate. This predicament is exacerbated by the disproportionate targeting of African American and Latino men by law enforcement. Mass incarceration has become a contemporary manifestation of racial segregation, profoundly affecting families and communities. This essay will analyze how the two poignant cinematic works, “When They See Us” and “13th,” serve as compelling examples of this deep-rooted social injustice. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get Original Essay When They See Us “When They See Us” provides a blatant illustration of the horrors of mass incarceration and indifference of the New York Police Department towards the lives of five young people of color. These teenagers were wrongly arrested and charged with the rape and assault of a white female jogger in Central Park, despite their innocence. The series uncovers a nightmarish tale in which police, through coercion and manipulation, extracted false confessions, and the entire criminal justice system conspired to secure convictions. The presumption of guilt was unrelenting, leading to an unfair and fraudulent trial marred by the manipulation of evidence and confessions. This poignant story exposes the trauma inflicted on families of color entangled in the web of incarceration. It aims to force the public to introspect and recognize the gaping inequalities that persist in society. It is shocking that this story, more than three decades old, continues to unfold with impunity, highlighting the persistence of a flawed system. It highlights a modern facet of racial discrimination born from mass incarceration, which has devastating implications for African American families. The explosion in the American prison population during the 1980s, the era in which these events occurred, embodies the phenomenon of mass incarceration. This film is a stark reminder of the ingrained racial biases in society, necessitating a frank conversation about systemic racism in the United States. of incarceration as a new form of racial discrimination. It critically examines the roots of the American prison system, dating back to racism and slavery, and elucidates its role in the increase in the prison population since the 1970s. The documentary lays bare the fault lines and contradictions of American penal policy, revealing how historically disadvantaged racial groups, particularly the African American community, endured a trajectory from legal slavery to the exploitation of prison labor. the intricacies of the contemporary prison system and its primary targets: young minority men with limited educational opportunities. The director masterfully connects the dots, drawing a direct and unyielding line between the abolition of slavery and the current epidemic of mass incarceration, all supported by economic interests. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized document from our expert now. writers.Get Custom EssayConclusionIn conclusion, both cinematic works cast a glaring spotlight on mass incarceration as a modern form of social segregation. They provide a historical perspective on the prison boom,., 64(1), 1-59.