Documentary by Ava Du Vernay

Film Documentary Reflection Questions

Question 1

I felt a combination of the three. As the film visuals faded, the closing remarks by Bryan

Stevenson kept playing and replaying in my head. Although the sparks of hope were struggling

to thrive amidst some strong feeling of helplessness, I couldn’t help but question my role in

helping change those statistics. The film highlights how the struggle for power and economic

dominance brought about the development of rhetoric criminalizing the existence of minority

groups. Profiling people of color as criminals and investing more in prison systems than in

empowerments is a classic example of how low humanity can sink. However, the age of

globalization and movements such as Black Lives Matter has brought about some ray of hope. In

conclusion, the film was timely and has highlighted the promise for better days. Notably, the film

highlights some of the challenges faced, provides actual examples, presents relevant statistics,

and proposes particular mechanisms whose adoption would influence a difference.

Question 2

According to the 13

Documentary by Ava Du Vernay, the film analyses a 150-year

history for the United States. During this period, social movements were formed to influence the

abolition of slavery while rallying for civil and voting rights et al. However, the oppression is

sustained as the application’s processes are redesigned. Interestingly, regular alterations on the

practices have enabled sustain oppression to date. Notably, ending such approaches will need

wisdom and strategy. First, the minority groups may need to unite and have structures that

influence prompt and calculated anti-oppression campaigns. Second, both parties may opt to

negotiate along the lines of common interest. In conclusion, the continuous oppression of

minority groups has hugely been influenced by power and fear. The oppressor is afraid of what