"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." –Thirteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution

Join us as the Battle Creek NAACP, Center for Diversity and Innovation, Showing Up for Racial Justice of SW Michigan, Sacred Conversations, Battle Creek Public Schools, Lakeview School District, and Harper Creek Community Schools partner to present a viewing of the highly acclaimed Ava DuVernay documentary 13th. A facilitated reflection and action-oriented dialogue will follow the film. Through community participation, we hope to educate and inspire viewers to take a stand for racial justice.

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans.

“When the 13th amendment was ratified in 1865, its drafters left themselves a large, very exploitable loophole in the guise of an easily missed clause in its definition. That clause, which converts slavery from a legal business model to an equally legal method of punishment for criminals, is the subject of the Netflix documentary “13th.” -Odie Henderson, Roger Ebert Film Review

Come at 10:00 to enjoy appetizers and visit organization tables. Seating will begin at 10:15, and the screening will begin promptly at 10:30. Child watch will be provided. This event is FREE and open to the public.