Question: Instructions:

1. Watch the Documentary "The 13th." This is currently on Netflix, but if you don't have access to that, you may find it elsewhere on the internet. I would highly encourage you guys to have a documentary party at someone's place and watch this together or have lunch together and watch it over a meal so everyone has access who doesn't have netflix.

a. If you have access and don't mind sharing time with someone, you are welcome to use the MESSAGE BOARD feature of mytsu (go to mycourses and select this course - Message board is on the left of the screen) to invite others to watch with you or look for those that have access.

b. I'm not mediating this by having us watch this in class (honestly, only because we need to stay on top of your chapters), but I encourage you to work together. The more time you spend talking to others about their perspective the better your paper is going to be and the easier it will be for you to write it.

c. While watching the documentary, answer the questions as noted. When you are done answering questions, these will be due to the Dropbox by no later than 3/10/17 at 3pm.

d. Make. This. Personal - because it is. How has this subject impacted you on a personal level? Dig deep. Don't just tell me what you think I want to hear. What is your personal truth?

e. As you are receiving this 3 weeks prior to the due date, no last minute emergencies, sickness, flat tires, deaths in the family, etc, will be allowed as excuses. I highly recommend doing this soon so you don't worry about it later.

Here are the questions that must be answered for credit. You may not answer a few of these. Everything asked must be answered to receive ANY points.

1. How much of the US population is currently in prison? What rate of incarceration takes place in the US ALONE?

a. Which amendment makes it unconstitutional to make anyone else a slave? What does it say? (If you QUOTE this amendment you must cite it in the paper and in a reference page).

b. Why is this amendment important?

c. Why was slavery considered to be an economic system?

d. How did the country get away with enslaving former slaves AGAIN despite the 13th amendment?

e. When did the first prison boom take place? Why did this prison boom violate the 13th amendment?

2. What was the first major blockbuster film hailed as an important cultural event that had artistic achievement as well as political commentary?

a. Have you ever seen this film? Why or why not?

b. From whose perspective was this film written?

c. What was the purpose of this film?

d. How did it portray different races?

e. What myths did it perpetrate?

f. What group was rebirthed following this film?

3. How did segregation/Jim Crow start? What led to it?

a. What were the results of this?

b. How did Civil Rights activists respond to this?

c. What emotions and thoughts do you have regarding the aftereffects of this movement?

4. What impression was the public given about offering the freedom to African Americans?

a. What would the country be repaid with (per Michelle Alexander)?

b. Where did the war on drugs originate and through which President originate this "call to order"?

c. Why did he do this? Around what year did this take place?

d. How many years prior to or after your birth did this take place? How has it impacted your life?

e. How did the government attempt to control war resistance and African American freedom?

5. Was Reagan's war on drugs effective?

a. What were the effects of this program?

b. How was this program used to oppress people?

c. The program initially was touted as a means of education. Was this really the case? Were there any other effects of this program?

d. How did the war on drugs separate people rather than unite them for a common good?

6. Were there generalizations in this documentary?

a. How do you think other races view the information contained in this documentary?

b. How does this documentary offer space for personal critical thinking about this topic? D

c. Did it change your points of view on any of the information offered?

7. What does the term "super predators" mean?

a. What did the two CURRENT presidential candidates say about this term and this case?

b. What emotions come up for you when you watch the information presented about the "super predators?"

8. Do you believe that it is possible for someone of a different race to understand the experiences of African Americans in this country?

9. How did the Willie Horton case change our history as a country?

10. Why are the actions of President Bill Clinton in response to the prison explosion considered to be more harmful than that of his predecessors?

a. Did President Clinton acknowledge his error in this situation?

b. Why are the actions of President Bill Clinton in response to the prison explosion considered to be more harmful than that of his predecessors?

c. Do you feel President Clinton was authentic in this situation?

d. "We should ask ‘Why is the black community so weak in our inability to defend ourselves?'" Why is this question asked?

11. What role did the Black Panthers play in history?

a. Who was Fred Hamilton?

i. What did he do?

ii. Why do you think we don't hear much about the work he did?

iii. How old was he?

iv. What happened to him?

v. Why?

vi. What was the country's response to this?

b. Who was Assanta Shakur and where is she now? What happened to her?

c. Who was Angela Davis? Why is she important?

12. What is ALEC?

a. Who is a part of ALEC?

b. What does it do?

13. What is a "Crimmigration System?"

a. Why is it important to understand this?

b. What is SB 1070?

14. What companies benefit from inmate labor?

a. Why?

b. How do you feel about these companies knowing what you know now?

15. How is mental health underused in the criminal population?

16. What percent of the African American population in Alabama has lost the right to vote, been affected in the area of jobs, student loans, business licenses, food stamps, rental homes, and life insurance, due to a history in prison?

17. Do we still see aspects of Jim Crow in America, according to the documentary?

a. What percent of the population in the USA is made up of African American males?

b. What percent of the prison population in the USA is made up of African American males?

c. What is the ratio of chance for an African American male to end up in prison at some point in time?

d. What is convict leasing? How did this lend support to the Jim Crow system?

18. Do you feel like this type of assignment supports your education?

a. Would you like to see more of this type of "outside learning?"

b. What did you feel benefitted you from this assignment?

c. What did it bring up for you (both positive and negative)?

d. What gaps in your education on this subject so far did you find based on your viewing of this documentary?

e. What will you do to fill those gaps?