Ava DuVernay’s Documentary on the 14th Amendment

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay has created a documentary for Netflix focused on the 14th Amendment, a key component of U.S. history that granted liberty and rights to formerly enslaved individuals after the Civil War. Netflix plans to release “14th” later this year. This project is DuVernay’s return to nonfiction, following her previous work “13th,” which examined the 13th Amendment’s impact on abolishing slavery.

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 during the Reconstruction era, ensures citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States” and was instrumental in nullifying the 1857 Supreme Court decision Dred Scott v. Sandford that excluded those descended from slaves from citizenship.

Recently, the Amendment faced legal challenges from Donald Trump, who attempted to restrict birthright citizenship through an executive order. However, the Supreme Court invalidated Trump’s order in June by a 6-3 vote. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the court, emphasized the Amendment’s protections, noting that citizenship was the “right to have rights” and participate freely in the political community.

DuVernay’s film “14th” explores how the Amendment remains “a permanent argument.” Her documentary includes insights from politicians, historians, and cultural voices, highlighting current implications. In DuVernay’s words, “If ’13th’ asked who gets caged, then ’14th’ asks who gets counted.” She aims to prompt viewers to consider the ongoing narrative of the nation being shaped.

Trump has expressed his intention to challenge the Supreme Court’s decision, arguing that the ruling could negatively impact America, as per his statement on Truth Social.