Cultural Immersion in Duvernays 13th Documentary

Table of Contents

Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
Reference

Introduction

Participating in cultural immersion is crucial for all individuals. While engaging in such activities, people immerse themselves in a world distinct from their own to increase their understanding of someone elses culture, values, and way of life. Aspiring counselors must participate in cultural experiences. There is a significant likelihood that I will meet people from a range of origins, each with their distinct challenges, values, and cultural identities. Thus, to perceive my customers, I must learn about various cultures, including their values, traditions, struggles, and encounters with discrimination, privilege, and injustice. People get an appreciation for other people and their different cultural orientations via cultural immersion. Therefore, cultural immersion is a fundamental discipline that instills people with the know-how to appreciate diversity without bias that people devoid of it often lack diversity awareness.

Discussion

I watched Ava Duvernays 13th documentary, which examines mass imprisonment and the persistence of racial criminality from the abolition of slavery to date, for my observational learning experience. The documentary includes interactions with a multitude of critics, including journalists and politicians. The primary contention is that mass imprisonment is a continuation of slavery. In American culture, the 13th indicates that anti-black racism has persistently included criminalization (13^TH, 2020). As such, the attachment of the word crime to the black identity, which was reinforced throughout the Nixon and Reagan years of the New Right, is a central theme of the film. The documentary explores that Congress broadened the criminal code because crime and black neighborhoods got entangled in a national narrative of fear-mongering (13^TH, 2020). In a capitalist culture, racial and political repression ultimately led to the emergence of a private prison industry due to a growing inflow of primarily African Americans into the criminal justice system.

Ava Duvernays documentary the 13th starts with the end of slavery. The abolition of slavery left a whole regions economy in tatters; something had to be done; therefore, the correctional establishment was the answer. Despite the fact that the Thirteenth Amendment outlawed slavery, one language created a loophole: except as a punishment for crime. This element of constitutional wording emphasized that it was American culture to be seen as dominant over other races. Therefore, instead of subjecting Blacks to slavery, imprisonment was the solution (13^TH, 2020). Consequently, the black personality became a criminal, a primitive menace to white civilization. This labeling became a mainstay in Whites cultural and racial mindset, ingrained inside the country, and Jim Crow was the societal norm. It was woven into the fabric of American society, which focused on daily performances. In contrast to institutions, racial beliefs were the driving force.

In complement to the observable learning experience, for my practical learning experience, I visited Avenal State Prison in San Francisco. The observational activity I conducted was in the penitentiary, learning about ethnic diversity in the prisoners. Thus, I could compare the number of jailed Blacks and Whites. I heard about this jail in my history lesson while I was also investigating extra events on their website, as it featured multiple examples where Blacks were sent inside bars for trivial crimes, thus suitable for my study. This event employs conventional methods to submit Blacks to a contemporary version of slavery. I discovered that there was minimal interracial unity among black and white convicts. Most everyday activities exhibited a distinct pattern of reciprocal avoidance and isolation. Consequently, I was able to determine that the subjective American cultural justice system was responsible for the failure of racial relations. It is concluded that racial relations in the jail context are the outcome of Blacks misery.

My emotions and responses to the encounter were a mixture of skepticism, perplexity, and dissatisfaction. Initially, I believed that the experience would consist just of broad facts about the American jail system and its emphasis on rehabilitating criminals to become responsible members of society. I was astonished that the program included more than just general facts about subjecting Blacks to further suffering. Instead, I watched several black individuals being detained for crimes they did not commit or for misdemeanors that do not warrant prison time. I applied what I learned from Ava Duvernays documentary to creating an all-inclusive culture during my firsthand learning experience. I learned from these situations that it is simple to ignore the suffering of other smaller races around the globe. From Blacks to Asians, so long as it does not damage Whites, everyone feels protected.

Consequently, it is vital to combat this aspect of American society that marginalizes other races. In addition to having compassion towards Blacks, everyone must take the initiative and implement ideal habits to combat this culture. For instance, organizing nonviolent demonstrations and go-slows would be crucial for voicing concerns to the administration. Participating in both situations taught me a great deal that will assist me in becoming an effective counselor.

These practices significantly contribute to the transformative learning that this cultural encounter fosters. From Ava Duvernays documentary, depending on my experiences, I realized that despite the problems Black people are enduring from the system, they could raise their grievances and be recognized. If slavery was ended, it implies needless imprisonment of black people may also be eradicated. Furthermore, the 13th also shows some of the hardships that innocent Black people experience when disguised as criminals. As a counselor in training, the documentary has informed me that there are cultures that are White dominated and also do not give as many rights to Blacks. As a counselor, I could instruct and empower Black individuals on the most effective strategies for combating the system. Without imposing my prejudices and ideas, I also wish to learn and comprehend my Black friends cultural background difficulties. In addition, I wish to teach white people about the problems and discrimination other races face and to assist them in learning to appreciate these individuals, as required by law. With the information I received from both situations, I aim to continue strengthening my professional career as a counselor.

Conclusion

In summary, my cultural immersion experience allowed me to broaden my understanding of American racial society. Thus, I aim to continue learning about various cultural identities and their perspectives, challenges, and beliefs. Moreover, I would want to join cultural sensitivity courses and study educational publications in order to have a deeper understanding of any extra challenges encountered in American society. I want to investigate any sensations and experiences that arise from engaging in more cultural immersion activities. With my acquired knowledge, I can objectively listen to my customers and provide them with the necessary tools to help solve their difficulties. By taking a comprehensive view of my customers and refraining from forcing my ideas on them, I would operate entirely in their best interest to enhance their welfare and life quality.