Welcome back to the Creative Corner! In honour of Black History Month, our second post is all about Ava DuVernay’s powerful documentary, “The 13th” which is available to watch in full on YouTube.

Released in 2016, “The 13th” explores the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, which was intended to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude, but actually ended up creating a new form of oppression for black people. The documentary highlights the ways in which the criminal justice system has been used as a tool for social control, with black people being disproportionately targeted and incarcerated.

What makes “The 13th” so impactful is Ava DuVernay’s masterful storytelling. Through a combination of archival footage, interviews with activists, politicians, and scholars, and powerful visual imagery, she presents a compelling argument for how the 13th Amendment has been used to perpetuate systemic racism and inequality.

But “The 13th” is not just a historical account of how the criminal justice system has been used to oppress black people. It’s also a call to action for all of us to confront the biases and prejudices that still exist in our society today. It’s a reminder that the fight for racial justice is not just a black issue, but a human issue, and that we all have a role to play in creating a more just and equitable society.

If you do anything this Black History month take the time to watch  “The 13th” and reflect on the lessons it has to offer. Let’s continue to educate ourselves and work towards a more just and equitable future for all.