Ava DuVernay's Latest Project
Ava DuVernay, the acclaimed filmmaker behind Selma and 13th, has announced her latest project: a documentary exploring the 14th amendment and its significance in granting liberty and rights to formerly enslaved people. The documentary, titled 14th, will be released on Netflix later this year.
The 14th amendment, ratified in 1868, declares that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States" are "citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." That language overturned the Supreme Court's 1857 ruling in Dred Scott v Sandford, which had denied citizenship to people descended from enslaved Americans.
The Importance of the 14th Amendment
The 14th amendment has played a crucial role in shaping the United States' understanding of citizenship and equality. It has been invoked in numerous landmark cases, including Brown v Board of Education, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The amendment has also been used to protect the rights of women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
Despite its significance, the 14th amendment has faced numerous challenges, including those from Donald Trump. In his second term, Trump issued an executive order aimed at sharply curbing the birthright-citizenship guarantees the amendment provides. However, the Supreme Court struck down the order by a 6-3 vote, upholding the protections of the amendment.
DuVernay's Vision
Ava DuVernay's documentary, 14th, promises to provide a nuanced exploration of the 14th amendment and its ongoing relevance. According to DuVernay, the project traces how the amendment turned into what she calls a "permanent argument," and it brings together politicians, historians, and cultural voices to make that case. DuVernay has said the film digs into the kind of country taking shape around us right now, beneath the narratives we've grown used to hearing.
As DuVernay noted, "If 13th asked who gets caged, then 14th asks who gets counted." This statement highlights the documentary's focus on the ongoing struggles for equality and citizenship in the United States. By exploring the 14th amendment and its significance, DuVernay's documentary aims to provide a timely and thought-provoking examination of the country's values and principles.
The Ongoing Debate
The release of 14th comes at a time when the debate over birthright citizenship and the 14th amendment continues to simmer. Trump has vowed to continue contesting the Supreme Court's ruling, calling it a "miscarriage of justice" that will "destroy America" if not changed. The ongoing debate highlights the enduring significance of the 14th amendment and the need for continued discussion and exploration of its implications.
As the United States continues to grapple with issues of citizenship, equality, and justice, Ava DuVernay's documentary, 14th, promises to provide a timely and thought-provoking examination of the 14th amendment and its ongoing relevance. By exploring the amendment's history, significance, and challenges, DuVernay's documentary aims to inspire critical thinking and reflection on the values and principles that shape the United States.