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The documentary "13th," directed by Ava DuVernay, examines the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. The film is titled after the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery but included a clause that permits involuntary servitude as a punishment for crime. The documentary argues that this clause has been exploited to perpetuate a cycle of racial inequality.

The film traces the history of racial oppression in the U.S., from slavery to the Civil War, through the era of Jim Crow laws, and into the modern era of mass incarceration. It emphasizes how policies and political decisions, particularly the "War on Drugs" and "tough on crime" laws, have disproportionately affected African American communities.

"13th" features interviews with activists, scholars, and politicians and uses historical footage to highlight the role of media in shaping public perception. It critiques profit incentives within the prison-industrial complex and discusses the impact of laws like the Three Strikes law and mandatory minimum sentences.

Ultimately, the documentary calls for awareness and reform in the criminal justice system, urging viewers to confront the systemic racism underlying these issues.