Ava DuVernay, renowned for her impactful films, is venturing back into the realm of non-fiction with a documentary for Netflix. The film, titled ’14th,’ will delve into the history and significance of the 14th Amendment, particularly amidst recent political challenges.
The documentary follows DuVernay’s earlier work, ’13th,’ which examined the legacy of the 13th Amendment’s abolition of slavery. In ’14th,’ the focus shifts to the amendment ratified in 1868, which granted citizenship rights to those formerly enslaved and has been a contentious issue in modern political discourse.
‘If ‘13th’ asked who ends up caged, then ‘14th’ asks who counts,’ DuVernay stated. She emphasized the contemporary relevance of the amendment, questioning the narratives and identities being shaped in current times.
The 14th Amendment ensures citizenship for all born or naturalized in the United States, overturning the 1857 Dred Scott decision that denied citizenship to descendants of enslaved people. This notion of birthright citizenship has been recently challenged by former President Donald Trump, who issued an executive order to severely restrict it, which the Supreme Court later annulled.
Chief Justice John Roberts affirmed the amendment’s protections, describing citizenship as the right to participate freely in the political community. His statement underscored the amendment’s promise to every person born in the country.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, Trump expressed his determination to contest the decision, arguing that maintaining such judicial interpretations could harm the nation.
DuVernay’s ’14th’ will feature politicians, historians, and cultural figures, providing insights into how the amendment has become a persistent theme in American society.