Netflix Allows Classroom Access to 13th

Thanks to Soup for Teachers for this heads up.  From Variety:
Netflix has granted public screening access to Ava DuVernay’s Oscar-nominated documentary “13th” for classrooms, community groups, book clubs, and other educational settings.

The streaming service said Tuesday that there has been a groundswell of interest from elementary school, universities, another other educational institutions asking for permission to screen the film. “13th” — which takes its title from the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolishing slavery — explores the link between slavery and the modern-day prison system.

“13th” is competing for the best feature documentary Academy Award against “Fire at Sea,” “O.J.: Made in America,” “Life, Animated,” and “I Am Not Your Negro.”

Comments

The subject matter here is something that should be covered in Humanities/History classes throughout the state, along with all the other topics that involve the marginalization of people of color through the history of this country.

We keep expecting each generation to be better informed and better able to operate in a multicultural/global society, but we continue to keep them ignorant and therefore history repeats itself over and over.

z said…
Having seen this film myself, I agree that it's powerful and many people would benefit from watching. It's a bit heavy-handed, but that's to be expected in any film of this genre. Overall, it's though-provoking and well-made.

That said, I disagree with the choice to make this available to elementary aged kids. High schoolers, sure, go for it. But it's very graphic, and discusses things in ways that most elementary aged kids won't be able to process.

For any adults who run across this post though, I highly recommend watching this film. You'll see things in a different light.

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