Page 5 – The Waltonian

Dan Mouw of the Eastern Athletic Department has left his post as the Head Women’s Soccer Coach to assume the position of Director of Athletic Communications. On Jan. 6 Bettie Ann Brigham and Interim Athletic Director Heidi Birtwistle announced that “Dan Mouw has agreed to serve the Athletic Department and University full-time as the Director of Athletic Communications.”

Mouw has worked as the Information Director for Eastern’s sports program for eight years, so his new job will not have many surprises. An article posted on the website for EU Athletics (which Mouw helped create) reads: “Under his leadership, Eastern Athletics developed, redesigned and migrated GoEasternEagles.com….Mouw oversaw the migration of the entire site to Sidearm Sports as the Interim SID in August and September of 2015.”

Dr. Brigham states, “For the past 13 years I have known and appreciated Dan’s outstanding talent related to sports contest and sports-related human interest writing, his outstanding abilities in the visual arts, including effective and engaging photography and videography, and I’ve witnessed his ability to work very well with the coaches and staff in Athletics.” Brigham also went on to say how she is proud to see Mouw’s dedication to helping the Eastern Athletic Department.

Mouw’s new position as the Director of Athletic Communications comes with more than changes to a website. Mouw is no longer the Head Women’s Soccer Coach, which he was for the past 15 years. According to an article posted on Eastern’s sports page, “in his 15 years as Head Coach, Mouw led the Eagles to 165 wins, four Conference Championships and a 5-3-1 record in the NCAA Tournament. His 2008 team reached the Elite 8. He has coached three All-Americans, eight different NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region performers and 36 All-Conference Players.”

Mouw’s teams have even performed well academically. A surprising statistic reported on goeasterneagles.com states that the Eastern Women’s Soccer team had the highest GPA of any Eastern team for five consecutive years from 2008 to 2013. Mouw’s Soccer team received a combined GPA of 3.49.

Mouw has made a strong impact on his teams and the students he has met. Mouw says he will miss his daily interactions with the players he has come to know, “but this decision will allow [him] to serve all our student-athletes and to have some control over [his] schedule.”

Source: goeasterneagles.com

Before I begin my list: there were movies in 2016 that I have not seen, but I wish I had. Those include “Arrival,” “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Jackie” and “Paterson.” I will give an honorable mention to “Shin Godzilla,” directed, written and edited by Hideaki Anno (the creator of “Neon Genesis Evangelion”). My brother told me how psyched he was to see it. I hope the two of us will be able to see it together when it is available for digital download. Without further ado, here are five overlooked films from 2016 you should see.

1. “The Shallows”: This simple story about a surfer girl under attack by a shark could be written off as a ripoff of “Jaws.” While Jaume Collet-Serra’s “The Shallows” suffers from one too many slow-motion shots of its lead catching waves, “The Shallows” stands out from other like-minded shark attack films. It boasts of true moments of suspense and terror, complemented by its choice not to show an overabundance of viscera. With thought-provoking imagery, eye-opening symbolism, realistic special and practical effects and an impressive performance by lead actress Blake Lively, “The Shallows” deserves to be lifted out of the depths and into the sunlight.

2. “Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation”: While it was released in theatres in 2015, most people would not see it until it got its DVD release in December. Even though this is the fifth entry in Tom Cruise’s “Mission Impossible” franchise, “Rogue Nation” re-energizes the series, gets the blood pumping and engages the mind. The best part of “Rogue Nation” is the fact that it is both a great fifth and first film. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, and newcomers will not feel left out from the exhilarating story. Don’t self-destruct this tape because “Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation” has iconic action, memorable characters, belly laugh humor and a mission more impossible than any before it.

3. “Fences”: Denzel Washington’s new film, based on August Wilson’s acclaimed play, was released on Christmas, but you still have a chance to see it in theatres, as you should. It’s understandable why this film could be seen as nothing more than last-minute Oscar bait, but in Denzel Washington’s story of a proud father, Troy Maxson; his faithful wife, Rose Maxson; and their quaint home in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (shot on location), this oft-considered “unfilmable” play makes for an unforgettable experience. Denzel Washington and Viola Davis star as the most heartfelt and heartbreaking couple on the silver screen of 2016 and deserve every nomination they receive. Don’t lock “Fences” out. Even if you don’t like it, what law is there sayin’ you got to like it? You will never forget the Maxsons and the lessons they’ll teach.

4. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”: Most people chose to avoid this film, seeing it as no more than a Harry Potter prequel, but “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is a fresh beginning. It’s a new exploration into J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world. It features characters newcomers and diehard fans alike will enjoy getting to know. The story is engrossing and also simplistic. Children, teenagers, adults and families will all enjoy watching this astonishing and wildly imaginative film. Don’t be afraid to peek inside this locked case, because if you don’t, you might miss out on the wondrous light and darkness hidden within its ordinary disguise.

5. “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”: Released in independent cinemas in 2015, this film did not receive a DVD release until October, and it was not directly available in stores until 2016. This is the story of a high schooler’s terrible life and his ugly groundhog face, his friend who’s dying of cancer and his coworker who is definitely not his best friend. It’s quirky, but it’s not dumb. “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” features unrealistic cinematography, realistic performances and a screenplay without sap, frailty or fake tears. It’s humorous, thought-provoking, iconic and remarkable. I know it might look like it stinks, but it doesn’t. So, yeah, watch it.

Anyone on campus who has studied human nature knows how difficult it is to examine without first adapting a secular mindset. In the modern era, studying the interactions between different people and cultures is often viewed in a light that keeps God out in the dark. Eastern’s On Knowing Humanity project seeks to put the spotlight of creation back on its creator.

Eloise Meneses, David Bronkema, Lindy Backues, Eric Flett and Benjamin Hartley have been working on a research project they have entitled On Knowing Humanity (OKH). This project has been ongoing for the past five years. According to an article written by Dr. Meneses, “the purpose of the project is ‘to promote the development of a Christian faith-based approach to anthropology [the study of humankind].’”

Anthropology is a discipline founded in secular ideals. To study cultures and people from a standpoint of naturalism (the belief that there is no divinity) is not a simple task for a group of Christian researchers. Because of this, the OKH has sponsored student research grants “in amounts ranging from $3,000 to $10,000.” These projects are being funded so students will be able “to address the question, ‘How might anthropology gain a deeper understanding of the human condition with insights from theology and faith-based ethnography [the scientific description of the customs of individual peoples and cultures]?’”

Along with this question, the OKH seeks to answer three other main questions: “How does the human spirit interconnect with the human mind and body in the course of everyday life?”, “What difference does the existence of the divine make to human life and cultural process?” and, “How might the reintroduction of teleology, the study of meaning and purpose, enrich the conversation in anthropology on matters such as human origins, development, diversity, commonality and destiny?”

Students who received the 2016 grants are currently researching the answers to these questions in various countries around the world. There are students researching “the good life and personhood in Uganda, the evangelical church in Palestine, hominid mortuary practices as they are related to the Imago Dei, Christians and traditional religious symbols in Ghana, identity formation among multicultural church youth, concepts of radical evil in Pentecostalism and the rehumanization of child survivors of trafficking in Nepal.”

Along with their multiple projects around the globe, the OKH project will publish an online journal entitled On Knowing Humanity: Anthropological Theory and Ethnography Through the Eyes of Faith. The journal will be an open invitation to scholars across the USA to “join in the work of constructing a new approach to anthropology that is creatively engaged with Christian thought.”

Source: Eastern Magazine

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I am not a sports-loving kind of guy. My personal favorite is America’s beloved game of baseball, but recently the NFL has caught my attention. I know how football is played, and from the Super Bowls I have watched, I have a general feeling of what is a fair move and what deserves a penalty. Given my limited experience, though, I do not believe pretending to sleep in the end zone should be penalized, yet Tajae Sharpe of the Tennessee Titans was flagged for this peculiar touchdown celebration.

On Nov. 13, Sharpe took a 33-yard pass and scored in the end zone. According to Sports Illustrated, “the touchdown was the first of Sharpe’s career, and he celebrated by pretending to sleep in the end zone. It wasn’t an elaborate celebration, but NFL rules clearly prohibit going to the ground while celebrating.” Because of this rule, Sharpe was penalized.

Sharpe is not the only NFL player to have been penalized for a touchdown celebration this year. Owa Odighizuwa of the New York Giants was penalized for pantomiming taking a photo of one of his fellow players. He was even charged $12,000 for his penalty.

In an interview with N.J. Advance Media, Odighizuwa said, “When I first looked at it, I was thinking, ‘Oh, is that $1,200?’ But no, it’s not. It’s $12,000. I was like, ‘Sheesh, man, that’s crazy.’”

The NFL is enforcing its rule on touchdown celebrations way too harshly this year. However, it seems to be such an arbitrary rule. Why should touchdown celebrations be kept under strict control? They are called celebrations for a reason. The strangest part is that this is not the only case of touchdown celebrations receiving penalties. Jonathan Jones of Sports Illustrated writes, “Last year the league penalized players nine times for ‘prolonged or excessive celebrations or demonstrations.’ This year, there have already been five flags thrown for that penalty.” It will only be a matter of time before NFL players are prohibited from dancing on the field.

Sources: NJ.com, Sports Illustrated

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Listen closely, because I am going to tell you one of the best kept secrets of Eastern University: there’s a movie star on campus. I’m serious. She’s acted in three projects on the East Coast, met and spoken with Tilda Swinton (“Doctor Strange”) and Lily Collins (“Rules Don’t Apply”), rubbed elbows with Paul Dano (“Swiss Army Man”) and Jake Gyllenhaal (“Southpaw”), been on the set of “House of Cards” and had a name role in the unreleased production “Reins of Hope.” She even has her own IMDb page. Her name is Lynnae Stine, and you should get her autograph while it’s still free.

Stine is a sophomore here at Eastern University, and I recently had the opportunity to speak with her about her up-and-coming film career. Stine says, “The amount of work, time and individuals it takes to make a film is astonishing. I have worked on projects where there were only 10 members in the crew, and I have also worked on projects where there were over 50 members on the crew. It is truly remarkable how much work goes into making a complete and successful film.”

Unlike the majority of movie stars who come from California, Stine’s upbringing took place on the East Coast.

“I am from a very small Pennsylvanian town where there is little to no opportunity for a film career,” Stine says. “So when I arrived on the outskirts of Philadelphia I wanted to take that as a blessing and a step stool to jump into the film atmosphere. I auditioned for my first feature film in the spring of my freshman year, and I was cast as part of the main cast. I cannot express how full of pure joy, happiness and excitement I felt. I know that God had His hand in that decision.”

Stine’s first feature film was an independent inspirational film: “I started my career with ‘Reins of Hope,’ where I play horse trainer Naomi Foley. This film is in the editing stage right now, and the director is talking with people about distribution. The director is planning on turning ‘Reins of Hope’ into a TV series, hoping to get the pilot picked up by Lifetime, Hallmark or another family-friendly channel.”

Stine has also been a part of the new Netflix production “Okja,” and she had a wonderful time on set. She says, “While filming ‘Okja’ in Manhattan, I was able to share a moment and talk with Tilda Swinton (‘Doctor Strange’), who is an angel. We were filming in the middle of Wall Street with temperatures reaching high 90s, and this beautiful soul told her assistant to give her personal fan to me.”

Stine has not only worked in front of the camera, but she has also been part of the crew behind the scenes, sharing, “I recently worked for the Neighborhood Film Company in the art department building props and making up the set for their short film ‘Cage.’” Stine has also performed in a few theatre productions here on campus: “On Eastern’s stage I also have fond memories from last year’s ‘Rhinoceros’ (where I played a man, Botard) and from this year’s fall production of ‘Waiting for Lefty.’”

What makes Lynnae Stine a true hidden gem is that she is following her passion and using her dream to better people. She says, “I was always inspired by movies, and I love how they can touch audience’s hearts. I want to be a part of that inspiration….Actors are story-tellers, and there are a lot of stories to be told that can impact an audience….I loved how Marc John Jefferies (‘The Haunted Mansion,’ ‘Nerve’) once stated, ‘Do not try to play a character as another actor; if they want Eddie Murphy, they will get him.’ So my advice for aspiring actors is to just be yourself, bring to the table what you have, always keep learning and have confidence. Have the confidence that you have an amazing gift that God gave to you, and what you do with that gift is your gift to God.”

Source: Lynnae Stine

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The world is his stage. He simply selects which parts of the world to highlight. The cast are made up of friends, neighbors and newcomers. He invites anyone’s presence to bring in life and meaning. The vision is in his mind. He molds his environment until it illustrates that image. His tools are light fixtures, a three-sided reflector, a shotgun microphone and a camera. His name is Stephen Gordon, and he is the creator and head of Eastern University’s new Visual Arts Club.

Gordon created the Visual Arts Club to help other campus clubs promote themselves and for the simple joy of creating a film with friends. Gordon states, “My motivation began when I saw a lack of visual art materials, including short films, documentaries, promos [and] pictures on many of the Eastern-related Facebook pages. I said to myself, huh, I have an idea that could really help these clubs and benefit many of the creative people on this campus. I decided to start this club, and it has been expanding very rapidly.”

Gordon has enjoyed watching and making films long before coming to Eastern University. When he was a child he pretended he was a character from the movies, such as Frank and Joe Hardy, Batman and Harry Potter: “I would always put myself in these worlds and live in them. When I finally started getting older, the imagination slowly came to [a] realization of how I could still live in my worlds even since playtime was over….I saw I could create my entire worlds again for myself but also have an audience that could see the worlds I created and have them believe the world from my imagination was real. The technology today, specifically for special effects, can do almost anything. I mean, c’mon, did you see ‘Doctor Strange?’”

This realization of crafting anything from his imagination is something Gordon brings with him during every day of shooting. Gordon shares, “Whenever I’m on set or editing I have this childlike energy and excitement of bringing the entire video to completion. It’s such a good time! I love doing the lighting, I love framing each picture while I film and I love editing frame by frame.”

Even though Gordon’s new club was created at the beginning of the year, the Visual Arts Club has already made contributions to Eastern University. He says, “We’ve made a promo Ultimate Frisbee Video, which you can see on our Facebook page…and we are working on a small video for the ‘Waiting For Lefty’ play, which is put on by Eastern’s theatre department.” In addition to making promotional videos for clubs, the Visual Arts Club plans to make other film projects in various genres. Gordon says, “We also are working on a comedic/informative video about the Visual Arts Club, which will introduce the club to the campus. It’s tightly under wraps; shhhhh, I can’t give away too many secrets.”

Gordon offers an open-armed invitation to anyone who would love to be a part of the Visual Arts Club: “If you want to get involved with our Visual Arts Club, look at our Facebook page when we post meeting times. We usually meet in [the] Jammin’ Java every Friday at 4 p.m., so drop by—we would love to have you….Even if you have no experience or a ton of experience, we want you either way.”

Whether you are a skilled cinematographer or an ambitious newcomer, Gordon would love to have you on set: “We are looking for all sorts of people, writers, directors, camera operators and anyone who wants to be a part of making videos and film. The possibilities are endless.”

Source: Stephen Gordon

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Eastern University was recently named one of the best colleges for veterans, as well as ranked third on a list of the top Christian universities in the North.

According to eastern.edu, “Eastern University has been listed as one of the Best Colleges for Veterans among North Regional Universities by U.S. News and World Report. The ranking comes only months after Eastern’s launch of a new Military Recruitment Initiative in May 2016 that is designed to provide academic support and financial assistance to U.S. veterans and members of the military.”

This list of universities was created by U.S. News and World Report. According to eastern.edu, “Qualified schools must be certified for the GI Bill, participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program or be a public school that charges in-state tuition to all out-of-state veterans [and] be in the top half of its U.S. News ranking category and have 20 or more students who used GI Bill benefits to partially or fully finance their tuition and fees during 2015-2016.”

One of the main reasons Eastern received this recognition is because of its new Military Recruitment Initiative: “As part of the Military Recruitment Initiative, Eastern now offers several financial awards to veterans, military spouses and military dependents including the Hero Grant that discounts tuition for many graduate programs by 25 percent.”

Besides this recognition as one of the best colleges for veterans, Eastern was also ranked as one of the top 10 Christian universities in the North. A recent article posted on PR Newswire addressed this recognition: “Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pa. claimed the top spot on the list. Grove City College of Grove City, Pa. came in second, and Eastern University of St. Davids, Pa. ranked third.” This list was created by Christian Universities Online and is used by those looking to study at Christian institutions of higher education nationwide.

Sources: eastern.edu, prnewswire.com

You may or may not be familiar with this situation, but I know it all too well. It is Thanksgiving. All of the food has been passed around the table, and everyone has had their fill. Just before dessert is served, one of the old people at the table (Grandmother, Grandpa, Uncle Joe Manheimer or Great-Grandpapa) asks everyone to say what they are thankful for. They look around the table, and, oh, just because, they ask you to go first. “Well…uhhhhhh…I’m thankful for…air…’cause…y’know…we breathe it…and…uh…”

It’s not easy being thankful on the spot. It’s often quite difficult to truly understand what we have to be thankful for. Sure, there are plenty of things in our lives we appreciate, but when someone asks us on the spot, “What are you thankful for?” sometimes those things do not come to mind. Maybe because, like me, we as humans have a hard time understanding how to be thankful. Before we can have thanksgiving in our hearts, we must open the doors with gratitude. Gratitude is a virtue, a continual practice or habit that can improve our lives emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. Gratitude is not a result. It is the necessary first step to a heart of thanksgiving. We all have things to be thankful for. 1 Timothy 4:4 reads, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (NIV). We all have gifts in our lives, but we do not yet know how to see them. Before we can be thankful for the gifts in our lives, we have to first change our perspective on those gifts.

Gratitude is an attitude and lens through which we can perceive our world. Take a moment to experience what happens when we apply this lens when looking at our sun. Our sun appears much more beautiful and appreciable in our eyes when we consider how it sustains life on earth. Yes, it is blinding, lazy enough not to stay in the sky all day and so tired it might go out soon, but everything has its flaws. The lens of gratitude acknowledges these flaws, but it does not dwell on them. This lens of gratitude is impossible to obtain or sustain. As humans, we are flawed, and with our flaws comes our own bend in the lens. Our focal point is either offset too far ahead, and we only care about what the future holds for us, or our focal point is offset too far inward, and we only care about what this gift can do for us. Either way, an offset focus leads to an us-centered perspective.

A life of gratitude creates a foundation for thankfulness. We cannot be thankful for anything until we have first learned to appreciate something’s place in our everyday life. When it comes to our Thanksgiving tables, what causes this sudden “I don’t know what I’m thankful for” reaction is we have not first found in ourselves a habitual attitude of gratitude. When we try to force an answer of thankfulness without first learning to appreciate our lives, we stumble over ourselves in realization that we are trying to bring about something that is not there. There is no way for us to achieve this continual perspective of gratitude on our own. No amount of wealth or status will bring about this lens. Only through our beloved Father in Heaven are we able to see through a fraction of this lens. Such is the same with all other virtues, but it is especially strong for gratitude.

In 1 Corinthians Paul asks his followers, “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ?” (10:16, NIV). For us to truly change our hearts and accept the gifts our Father has given us, we must first accept the grace of the cross. Grace is one of the hardest gifts for us to accept because we do not deserve it. We choose not to accept it because to accept it means we truly have nothing worth offering. When we admit this, we see we have everything to be thankful for because everything we have has been given to us, our worth, our talents, our skills, our relationships, our salvation.

We are prideful and ignorant creatures. We choose to see things the way we tell ourselves they are, and we easily bring about our own detriment with this vision. Only through the eyes of Christ, the One who laid down His life for all mankind, free of charge, no catch, no loopholes, no clauses, will we ever be able to see the gifts in our lives with gratitude. Paul writes to his fellow followers, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts” (Colossians 3:16, NIV).

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In a recent news publication, Prince Albert of Monaco was announced to be the new owner of a home in the East Falls section of Philadelphia. This home has a special connection to Prince Albert’s family. In a press release, 6abc Action News stated: “The Philadelphia home where Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly grew up and accepted a marriage proposal from Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1955 is now in the hands of the royal family. Her son, Prince Albert of Monaco, has confirmed to People Magazine that he was the recent purchaser of the six-bedroom, 2.5-story Colonial home in the city’s East Falls section.”

Grace Kelly was born and raised in Philadelphia. She spent her early life pursuing her dreams of becoming an actress. Director John Ford noticed her in a screen test from 1950 and flew her out to Los Angeles for her first big screen role in “High Noon” (1952). Kelly acted with some of the most famous names to come from Hollywood. She performed alongside Gary Cooper in “High Noon,” Jimmy Stewart in “Rear Window” (1954) and Cary Grant in “To Catch a Thief” (1955). In 1955, Grace Kelly received an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in “The Country Girl” (1945).

Following this, Kelly headed the U.S. delegation at the Cannes Film Festival in 1955. It was there she met Rainier III, Prince of Monaco. She left her career as an actress in order to marry Prince Rainier. The last film Kelly performed in was “High Society” (1956), a musical remake of “The Philadelphia Story” (1940). In 1956, she married Prince Rainier III and became Princess Grace of Monaco. They had three children, Caroline, Princess of Hanover; Albert II, Prince of Monaco; and Princess Stéphanie of Monaco.

Princess Grace died in 1982 at the age of 52 from injuries related to a car accident in France. At that time, the city of Philadelphia mourned the loss of one of its most famous residents.

Now, three decades later, Kelly’s family is remembering her legacy in their purchase of the former Kelly family home. According to Philadelphia Magazine, “The East Falls home was reportedly sold for $754,000 on Sept. 23, after it was originally priced at $1 million when it was listed in July. The property’s market value is $605,600, according to the city’s Office of Property Assessment.”

At this time, Prince Albert and his family are still unsure what the ultimate use of the home will be, but it will potentially house the U.S. office of his charity. For now, though, it is charming to consider that there is finally a Fresh Prince of Philadelphia.

Sources: IMDb, Philadelphia Magazine, 6abc Action News

Most people know about the great original shows and films Netflix has to offer, but most do not know about Netflix’s original documentaries. Ava DuVernay, producer and director of “Selma,” recently released her new documentary on Netflix, titled “13th.” This documentary explores U.S. history from the perspective of African Americans. From the Civil Rights Movement to Nixon and Reagan’s War on Drugs to the impact of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), “13th” questions all of these events and institutions and asks how they shape our country today. “13th” portrays all of these events with the same editing style and dialogic tone displayed in the majority of our modern political campaign ads. It shows the growth of the U.S. prison population and its relationship to our government’s politics and policies. This is all done with sufficient editing skills and the bringing together of historical news clips and several interviews and firsthand testimonies.

One of the main interviewees in “13th” is Eastern graduate Bryan Stevenson (‘81), writer of “Just Mercy.” In the documentary Stevenson states: “We have a criminal justice system that treats you better if you’re rich and guilty than if you’re poor and innocent. Wealth, not culpability, shapes outcomes.” Stevenson and the other interviewees argue that our justice system needs to be founded on pure and unbiased justice.

“13th” portrays the progression of U.S. history, suggesting most of the government’s law enforcement programs were created to keep African Americans in prisons. The suggested beginning of this progression is the XIII Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Written in 1864, the XIII Amendment states, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” In the 1860s, this meant the end of the South’s greatest economic resource: slaves. A loophole, however, was exploited from this amendment: African Americans could be forced back into servitude as punishment for a crime.

Years of African Americans being harshly convicted for misdemeanors gave way to the creation and implementation of the Jim Crow laws. These laws made segregation in the South legal, and so to fight these laws resulted in being deemed a criminal. The Civil Rights Movement reformed laws of citizenship, but those rights of citizenship could be revoked if someone was convicted of being a criminal.

Following the Civil Rights Movement was Nixon and Reagan’s War on Drugs. What was portrayed as a means of dealing with a supposed crack epidemic can be seen as a cover for putting African Americans in prisons. According to John Ehrlichman, one of Nixon’s advisors, “The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar Left and black people….We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or blacks, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities.”

The next major change in the U.S. justice system was Bill Clinton’s “three strikes” law. Clinton described the three strikes law in his first State of the Union Address: “When you commit a third violent crime you will be put away. Three strikes and you are out!” This led to the creation of mandatory minimum sentencing laws, which meant that convicted offenders had to serve specific minimum sentences with no leeway for judges to decide that a less severe sentence might fit the particular circumstances surrounding the crime. These offenders had to serve a mandatory minimum sentence in prison without parole.

Along with these government policies is a private club known as ALEC. One of the interviewees in “13th” says “ALEC is this private club, and its members are politicians and corporations….Should politics and corporations be in the same private club?” ALEC has proposed several laws that states have employed today, such as Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” policy, which authorizes an individual’s right to defend themselves from a perceived threat. ALEC also helped fund the Correction Corporation of America, which are private prisons that have to remain filled at all times. This creates the possibility that people will be put in prison, even if they have not committed a crime. As a “nonprofit organization” ALEC nevertheless wields a tremendous amount of influence with little oversight or accountability.

“13th” addresses historic events, policies highlighted in this article and other facts as well. But in order to receive the full experience as intended by the director, you will have to watch this documentary for yourself. I think the documentary tries to bring together one too many coincidences. Additionally, the documentary takes a five-minute break to deliberately portray Donald Trump in a negative light (it took sound clips from Donald Trump and played them over black and white footage of the Civil Rights Movement and the Ferguson riots), which made “13th” regrettably feel more like a propaganda piece than a documentary. Still, it was interesting to see what U.S. justice policies look like from a different perspective.

Ava DuVernay’s “13th” will not appeal to everyone, but if you want to see beyond your own perspective and take a look at America from an entirely new or all-too-familiar perspective, then you should watch this documentary. While you are watching it, I encourage you to actively form your own personal opinion of its claims.

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