Summary of the Documentary
The war on Drugs in America started over several decades ago. However, the country has been unsuccessful in the destruction of drug intake by its people. Eugene Jarecki’s documentary, The House I Live In, shows the drug-related mass incarceration between the 1960s and 1970s by comparing this aspect with the Holocaust period (Jarecki, 2012). The film captures distressing stories that begin with the grieving mother, the narcotics officer, the inmates, and the courts, which offer profound narrations regarding human rights and the American longest war on drugs.
The war on drugs has been raised as an issue related to public health, revealing the tragic shortcomings that result from law enforcement. The film has successfully examined how the war on drugs has been fruitless because it has also been deeply rooted in financial and political corruption. This film has also exposed that 2.3 million men and women in prison spaces are of the Black community, which has caused massive destruction to individual lives and many families (Jarecki, 2012). While the war on drugs has been criticized as futile and historically costly, public officials view drug-related crimes as worth stiffer punishments, such as lifetime imprisonments, rather than a soft crimes. The mandatory minimum sentencing has seen nonviolent offenders, such as drug offenders, spend a lifetime behind bars as a way of paying for their crimes.
The documentary sheds light upon the futile efforts that come with the war against drugs (Jarecki, 2012). At the current time of economic instability, fueling currency towards the drug war is an unsuitable investment. The war on drugs has been exposed to have negative implications on human beings in families and bloodshed in nations such as Mexico. America has also begun to take serious measures toward change. At this important juncture, the video raises public awareness of the drug issue and advocates for novel and creative solutions to domestic drug legislation reforms.
Connection to Theory, Research, and/or Current Events
The documentary is strongly linked to different research and sociological theories related to social injustice, inequality, and, most importantly, time. Looking at the documentary from a sociological angle, the video goes hand-in-hand with conflict theory, which emphasizes how the law enforcement system protects the interests of people in power and also promotes social (Jarecki, 2012). The films’ arguments regarding the systemic prejudices deeply rooted in the war against drugs are further strengthened by research on racial inequalities in arrests and sentences involving drugs.
Furthermore, the film resonates with current events by addressing the continued controversial topics that surround the criminal justice reformation. Another current event that matches the film is the need for an evidence-based approach and a more compassionate strategy toward dealing with drug addiction. The video’s ideas are consistent with the rising pressure for the legalization of drugs and the constant push for awareness of the vital importance of rehabilitation and therapy over harsh punishments. The House I Live In contributes to the conversation about racial equality and law enforcement reformation by demonstrating the racist effects of the war on drugs.
Your Own Reflection
After watching the documentary, I have realized how impactful it has been in challenging my presumptions regarding the war on drugs. The film has exposed how police officers address issues that are concerned with drugs and have also managed to harm minority groups such as the Black communities (Jarecki, 2012). The film gives examples of the impact of drugs in communities by using personalized stories and numbers, which makes it hard to ignore the fact that drugs and the war on drugs have had a negative impact on communities.
One aspect that grabbed most of my attention was knowing the fact that the reason behind mass incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders was economic motive. The documentary depicts the complex issues in the prison industrial system that stresses the commercial purpose of incarceration. The documentary also highlights the ethical concerns about the rationales behind severe sanctions and the exploitation of minority groups (Jarecki, 2012). This realization has led me to think again about the fundamental principles of the criminal justice system and whether they are compliant with being just and fair or bringing about a humane society. Another aspect that the film reveals is the role played by the media and the public view regarding the topic of drug addiction. Drug users are often stigmatized by the over-exaggeration of the media, contributing to the endless cycle of criminalization and prejudice. In light of this aspect, it has made me realize that ethical media coverage is essential in influencing the decisions taken by policymakers and the formation of public opinion.
The movie helps me view drug and substance abuse from a different perspective. Developing such movies and videos creates public awareness of the consequences of drug abuse in society. The scenes in this film show that there are efforts put in place by the government to fight drugs. The writers have challenged me to develop strategies to help in curbing drug abuse. While I was watching the video, I thought that it would be better to develop books and magazines, especially those by medical professionals. This helps to create awareness among people of all ages. Knowing that drug abuse is an issue in my community, I also realize that this is also my war. I should, therefore, help the policymakers and the national government fight this war in the best way I can. One of the best approaches I can utilize at the moment is educating my peers on the negative impacts of indulging in drug and substance abuse. Another approach is to help individuals who are already indulged in drugs by encouraging them to visit rehabilitation facilities. These are the new aspects that I am going to use to free the nation from the use of drugs.
In conclusion, The House I Live In is a powerful demonstration of the systemic issues that surround the war on drugs. It calls out for the attention of the viewers to view the ineffectiveness and the inequity of the present legislation. It proposes a more unbiased and humane approach when it comes to mitigating drug addiction and the negative social effects that come with it. The war on drugs is not easy, and it calls upon joint efforts of individuals, communities, and the nation. The documentary has influenced my opinion and expanded my knowledge regarding the specific issues surrounding America’s war on drugs.
Reference
Jarecki, E. (2012). The House I Live In [Video]. Plex. https://watch.plex.tv/movie/the-house-i-live-in?utm_source=google-catalog&utm_medium=share&utm_content=5d7768d2594b2b001e695fb0
write