What is/are the central message(s) of this documentary/fictional film?
The central message of this film was to show the existence of slavery even after it was constitutionally banned in the U.S. This was shown by the fact that African-American were arrested illegally and forced to work in the plantations without payments. The blacks were convicted of crimes they never committed. The movie shows that slavery continued for several years in secret even after it was constitutionally abolished in 1865.The evidence used was the letters written by slaves in servitude and prisons. The states governments were paid for the labor provided by the prisoners. The blacks were convicted of very insignificant crimes in order to put them in forced labor by the whites in the U.S. This, therefore, shows how the government facilitated the torture of the blacks in secret even after slavery was constitutionally abolished in the U.S.
Discuss the bias in the film (point of view of the filmmakers). Consider the effectiveness of the film in communicating its message.
In the context of bias, racial bias and discrimination is depicted in the film. The aspects of racial discrimination are elaborated in the film. The movie shows that the author is biased on the aspects slavery by claiming that the blacks were forced to serve as slaves in secret even after slavery was constitutionally abolished in 1865.The racial bias in relation slavery was clearly shown by the fact that the film talked about such cases of slavery even without clear evidence. The film is very effective in communicating the message because it appeals to the nature of torture. The black men are shown in chains, in prisons. The aspects of torture are clearly shown in the film making pass the message of slavery in an effective manner.
As a tool of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses?
In the context of communication, the strength of the film was evident on the aspects of presentation and appeal to the issue of torture and slavery of the blacks in a clear manner. The author shows a sensitive issue supporting it with letters from the prisons who were forced to serve as slaves without offences. The weakness of the film lies in the presentation part because the film failed to present the actual evidence in relation to colored images of the prisoners serving as slaves.
How do you think the filmmakers wanted the audience to respond?
The film maker wanted to the audience to respond to the film by following up the issue of slavery and torture of the blacks by the whites even after it was constitutionally banned in 1865.The filmmaker also expected the audience to respond arousing their feelings so as to reveal any other information thy have pertaining to this issue of slavery on the blacks in America.
Does this film appeal to the viewer's reason or emotion? Explain the role of each in this piece. Can you compare the issues described in this film with events happening in your world today?
This film appeals to the emotions of the audience in that the aspects of slavery and racial discrimination are real things that greatly affected the blacks in the U.S. This also provokes the reasoning of the audience concerning various aspects of slavery and racial discrimination in America. This also helps in enabling the audience to explore on matters pertaining to slavery and racial issues.
How did this film change any misconceptions you had about the subject matter?
This film played an important role in helping me change the misconception that slavery ended in 1865 after the cold war. This was changed by the truth shown in the film that slavery continued to exist for some time even after it was constitutionally abolished.
Would you recommend this documentary to be used for the next course of HIST 262 Tell us if it was helpful in learning about this history? What is the most important thing you learned from watching the film?
This film is crucial in understanding contemporary American history by showing the cases of slavery and racial discrimination. This appeals to the reasoning and emotions of the readers in order to explore on the aspects of slavery. In conclusion, this film should be used in learning of the historic courses because it clearly portrays the aspects of slavery. This film also shows the aspects of struggle and torture due to the nature of neocolonialism. The film is, therefore, important in learning and teaching of history.
References
Documentary Credits | Slavery by Another Name | PBS. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/tpt/slavery-by-another-name/about/documentary-credits/
