The Impact of the Documentary 13th on Ethical Practice in Couple and Family Therapy

by | Mar 19, 2024 | Psychology

Ethical practice as a couple and family therapist requires a continual process of self-evaluation, particularly because of the inherent power and privilege that therapists hold in the therapeutic relationship. An essential component of self-evaluation is the practice of identifying biases and beliefs that are held regarding very complex intrapersonal and interpersonal processes.

In order to write this paper, watch the documentary film 13th. While you are watching the documentary, you are encouraged to take notes about the thoughts and feelings that come up for you. Content warning: there are graphic and at times violent images depicting sexual assault/rape, physical assault/abuse, and racial trauma throughout the film.

write a reflection paper in which you address the following:

Summarize the key points of the film that you found to be the most impactful.
Explain the influence of mass incarceration and the War on Drugs on substance abuse rates, particularly in BBIPOC communities.
Describe any emotional responses that you had to the content of the film.
Identify any biases or beliefs about addiction, the American Legal System, and addiction prevalence that became apparent for you while watching the film and discuss how these biases or beliefs may potentially present as countertransference when working with certain clients who experience addiction.
Describe how the information that you reviewed will impact your work with diverse populations who are impacted by addiction, particularly BBIPOC clients.

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

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Title: The Impact of the Documentary 13th on Ethical Practice in Couple and Family Therapy

Introduction

As a couple and family therapist, engaging in continual self-evaluation is imperative. This process becomes even more crucial due to the power and privilege therapists possess in therapeutic relationships. Watching the documentary film 13th can provide valuable insights into biases and beliefs that may influence our practice. This paper aims to reflect on the key points of the film, particularly focusing on the influence of mass incarceration and the War on Drugs on substance abuse rates in BBIPOC communities. Additionally, it will explore emotional responses to the content of the film, identify biases or beliefs that emerged, and discuss their potential impact on working with clients experiencing addiction.

Key Points of the Film

The documentary “13th” delves into the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. It highlights the exploitation of the loophole in the 13th Amendment that allowed for the continuation of slavery through mass incarceration. The film powerfully illustrates how policies like the War on Drugs disproportionately target Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color (BBIPOC) communities, leading to high rates of incarceration and perpetuating systemic racism.

Influence of Mass Incarceration and the War on Drugs on Substance Abuse Rates

Mass incarceration and the War on Drugs have had a significant impact on substance abuse rates, especially within BBIPOC communities. The discriminatory enforcement of drug laws has led to higher rates of incarceration among people of color for non-violent drug offenses compared to their white counterparts. This disproportionate targeting contributes to cycles of poverty, trauma, and substance abuse within marginalized communities.

Emotional Responses to the Content

Watching the documentary evoked a range of emotions, including anger, sadness, and frustration. Witnessing the systemic injustices and racial disparities portrayed in the film highlighted the urgent need for societal change and advocacy for marginalized communities. The stories shared by individuals impacted by mass incarceration and addiction were poignant reminders of the real human toll of these unjust policies.

Identifying Biases and Beliefs

While watching the film, biases and beliefs regarding addiction, the American Legal System, and addiction prevalence became apparent. Acknowledging these biases is crucial as they can manifest as countertransference when working with clients experiencing addiction, particularly BBIPOC individuals. It is essential to challenge these biases and engage in ongoing self-reflection to ensure ethical and culturally responsive practice.

Impact on Work with Diverse Populations

The information gleaned from the documentary will profoundly impact my work with diverse populations affected by addiction, especially BBIPOC clients. Understanding the systemic factors contributing to substance abuse and incarceration rates among marginalized communities will inform a more empathetic and culturally sensitive approach to therapy. It underscores the importance of advocating for social justice and dismantling oppressive systems that perpetuate health disparities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, engaging with challenging and thought-provoking content like the documentary 13th can deepen our understanding of social injustices and their impact on mental health and well-being. By critically examining our biases and beliefs, we can enhance our ethical practice as couple and family therapists working with diverse populations. This reflective process is essential for fostering a therapeutic environment that is inclusive, empowering, and conducive to positive change for our clients.

 

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