Amend: The Fight for America (2021) User Reviews

How racism beat the constitution

[NestorTheGreat · 9/10 · 25 July 2021]

An in your face, no holds barred walkthrough in the many ways White Supremicist Americans chose to interpret the equality amendment to suit their needs at the time. Be it Black, Asian, Mexican or women, the scared little white men in power use word play to stay relevant and at the top of the financial tree!

Some horrifying historical facts extrapolated for us by a myriad of actors, politicians, public figures and fighters of change demonstrating how the ages changed but the mentality did not! A sad reality of the American Nightmare, that the dream they sold was a scam!

Intelligent, outspoken, truthful and heartfelt this is a must watch for the whole world!

I learned a lot

[jansb-04128 · 8/10 · 18 August 2021]

I've been googling a lot of names, thanks to this documentary. I learned a lot as an European citizen. I understand the promise, but I miss the voice of the native American.

Wonderful, stunning and brilliant documentary-series, but some very important voices are missing!

[antoniatejedabarros · 9/10 · 26 February 2021]

This documentary is absolutely amazing! A must-see for teenagers and adults! Will Smith is charming as always, and brings a hopeful tone to the depressive history of racism and inequality in the United States. The other actors who appear give a performance like in a theatre, quoting diaries, books and speeches of famous people, but are dressed in their normal clothes, and that gives a poetic tone to the documentary. All the scholars who appear have very interesting things to say. Nevertheless, there is a couple of "activists" that talk a lot and don't know much, and that's a bit tiring. I rather hear erudite people that really know about the history of the United States talk than young angry activists.

Nevertheless, there are some very important voices that are silent here: 1) Native American men, women and children. I would have loved to learn more about their history and their suffering (they are also citizens of the US, thanks to the 14th Amendment, but have been denigrated always -still are- and it's very sad that their history is not told here). If the makers of this documentary wanted to focus only on African-Americans for the 3 first chapters (that's what they do), then they had to change the title of the documentary. 2) Other leaders and movements that were not pacifist but very important too in the Civil Rights movement, notably Malcolm X and the Black Panthers (I personally liked Malcolm X's philosophy more than Martin Luther King's). Why is he not in the documentary? (well, he appears 2 seconds with a quote about women in the 4th episode, but it's completely absent in episodes "Resistance" and "Wait"). It's funny, since I know that Will Smith has always been a fan of Malcolm X (he appears with many shirts of Malcolm X in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and also mentions a lot the Black Panthers). But since violence against violence is not politically correct, Malcom X's voice is missing.

Because of these two very important missing voices I give this awesome, poetic and brilliant documentary a 9 and not a 10.

I was very touched by the performances of Mahershala Ali and Samuel L. Jackson. And Will is an amazing host, interesting, funny, super handsome and cool, as always.

I watched this documentary series with my older children (who are teenagers). I'm Spanish and didn't know a lot of important details about the history of slavery, the Civil Rights movement in the US and the 14th Amendment. I'm grateful to you because we learnt a lot. Thanks a lot and many greetings from Madrid / Antonia

The big picture

[zat-83174 · 10/10 · 19 February 2021]

Kudos to the whole team behind it. I saw a lot of movies and series treating single topics regarding the fight for equality in the U.S.A. But this series truly shows the overarching correlations. How the politics and narratives of the money making slavery business profoundly poisoned the society for over hundred of years. How the past echoes through people minds and keeps them trapped into toxic belief systems. This series is educational on so many levels. After viewing "Amend" I appreciate the first article of the human rights even more: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

Thought provoking and emotive.

[tracy-reading · 10/10 · 17 February 2021]

Well worth a watch to learn a little about how the constitution shaped citizenship.

Great documentary

[btexidor-37601 · 10/10 · 19 February 2021]

Watch it and learn about the 14th amendment. Learn about some history. Just be receptive and thats it.

Excellent mind opening on the reality of America

[sylvainsimard · 10/10 · 19 February 2021]

Excellent documentary on America and how since before the civil war conservators were leading the country, how the south and their frustrations after losing the war destroyed and manipulated everything to control the resistance to racism, human rights movement, women liberation. Quite an eye opening. Everyone that dislike this are certainly descendants of the white supremacy sinners and cause of all that is negative in the country...From Lincoln to Reagan to Trump...From Confederate illness to manipulation of the truth....to be seen and used as reference...

Informative

[mujali-48677 · 10/10 · 21 February 2021]

I'm not an American, merely a fascinated observer who would love to see it overcome its social issues, especially as you guys are blessed with such an amazing landscape which you should be enjoying rather than fighting each other. I thought this series was timely, well-presented and thought-provoking. There was no "agenda", not in my humble opinion anyway. I think some people throw this term about without really thinking it through, as an attempt to discredit things they don't agree with. It's an attempt to silence or cover up very real issues and it's tragic that some people think like that really. Not everything is agenda; you can't revise or sugar-coat the past. Slavery and racism were very real, as are it's consequences which are still being felt today. The Native Americans were treated brutally. Prejudice, bigotry and all the nasty spin-offs that come with them are still in full bloom today, just as they were in the past. This is not agenda, it is fact, absolutely undisputed, no matter how many people put their heads in the sand.

Easy-to-watch overview, short on details

[paiddakostbdaboss · 6/10 · 25 February 2021]

This is a good introduction to the topic of civil rights in the USA during the last two centuries. It's easy to watch, well presented, and has good choices in music and actors/presenters that should make it appealing to those who are not particularly interested in long documentaries about civil rights. That, in itself, is an achievement.

Having said that, I must also point out that this is NOT a definitive guide to the topic it deals with. If you want to get a full history of civil rights in the country, use the documentary as a trampoline to help you reach other, more in-depth works. Because this documentary cuts on some details that in my opinion are very important.

I won't go in too much detail but I think episode 3 (about the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s) is a good example of this. The entire episode focusses on Martin Luther King's efforts to force John F Kennedy to act against racism, and finally the US President gives in and becomes a 'good guy' who does what was required. Two very important angles are missing. Firstly, the documentary makes no mention whatsoever of other civil rights leaders who also played important roles, such as Malcolm X or Stokely Carmichael. And secondly, the fact is that John F Kennedy did very little in the area of human rights, and it was his predecessor, Lyndon B Johnson, who actually implemented the defining civil rights legislation of the 20th century.

Leaving out such figures as Malcolm X or Lyndon Johnson is understandable because they were very complex and controversial characters. For the general public, it is easier to follow a storyline of good guys and bad guys, and Kennedy and King are both established good guys in American imagination. However, this lack of nuance means that the documentary doesn't quite convey how complicated the fight for civil rights really is.

100% True and accurate

[thillproduction · 10/10 · 21 February 2021]

This will ruffle some feathers I'm sure, but this was necessary. Everyone should watch this and get a clear understanding of the this country's history.

Interesting historic view on equality

[samjlopes · 7/10 · 20 February 2021]

Good documentary about the 14th amendment and the fight for equality (racial, gender, etc.) in the US. More focused in the history and not so much in discussing the present times. Smart decision.

One curious mistake

[jrdingus-185-313152 · 15 March 2021]

Awesome up to the last episode when Grover Norquist was a spokesman in favor of equality. He has one single agenda, to keep the rich as rich as they can get off of the working class. Beyond his 3 or 4 interjections it was superb in its presentation, its scope and its choice of voices. I have to believe there was some reason GN got face time on this gem.

Not bad, but it gets a little boring

[zathan-32848 · 5/10 · 22 February 2021]

Managed to watch 4 episodes. Production quality is high and it starts off good. Still its easy to lose interest.

Super Informative

[bflorence-83143 · 10/10 · 21 February 2021]

Very informative documentary on the creation and impact of the 14th Amendment. It dives into the civil war and post reconstruction America and how the 14th was not accepted everywhere and rules created to get around the 14th by using "States Rights" as an excuse. The doc covers the plight against black America, women, and LGBTQ+, in regards to the use of the 14th to grant them rights.

Not just history but history that we live every day

[stuartpolizzi · 10/10 · 23 February 2021]

The Netflix series Amend brings the United States Constitution's promise of Equality and Citizenship to life in a manner that lets us feel its real impact on every day lives both past and present. As a lover of history and professional who believes in the ideals of this country I recommend this series to anyone who wants to understand how the doors of equality have been opened against resistance and continued to be pushed opened by the efforts of not just well known historical figures like MLK but by many others who continue to inspire today. The struggle for a more equal and better America is all of our struggle. Share this series with your children. To those who attempt to reduce the visibility of this series by dropping 1 star reviews, shame on you. The only way to know where you are is to understand where you have come from. Don't be afraid to watch and learn.

Excellent historical perspective, clear to understand

[cassianoyoung · 10/10 · 23 February 2021]

Some folks are giving this 1 start review claiming it leaves out Native Americans. This show happens to be focused on the struggles of African Americans and it does a wonderful job at simplifying a tale that many chose to ignore. Of course there atrocities against Native American, if you are looking for that subject, this is not your show. Like if you go to a vegan restaurant you won't find Prime Rib or NY Stake in the menu. Highly recommended for anyone looking to understand the world we live in today.

Educational and Inspirational

[kaideneve · 9/10 · 25 February 2021]

As with all politically-oriented documentaries, you must approach it with a grain of salt, as they often only show things from one perspective. First of all I would like to mention that for the most part, this series is essentially nonpartisan. I went into it thinking that it would be a one-sided interpretation of the 14th amendment, but was pleasantly pleased that both sides were presented. As a Canadian, I found it quite enlightening and educational. I did research afterwards and it essentially tells US history as it is over the last 150 years or so.

Will Smith repeatedly walking out from behind a large screen to introduce every chapter is a bit much, but otherwise I learned a lot and truly appreciate the aforementioned.

Very good and informative

[kittihendrix · 10/10 · 21 February 2021]

Thank you to all those that made this series and provided some very important information about how history was perceived and I think it's awful that this is still happening in today's world. As a Caucasian Canadian female I am truly disgusted with the way the white supremacists got away and are still getting away with the injustice. It's 2021 and we all need to stop and come to the straight forward reality that ALL humans are equal, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, and any other difference that makes us all original. Peace!

Must watch

[la-ross-76125 · 10/10 · 21 February 2021]

If you like history and truth. Enjoyed this and have a more complete picture of our history

The problem is the sistem

[alejandrarmzg · 6/10 · 4 April 2021]

I sympitize with the fighting against exclusion, but this serie Is based on the false idea of the American dream, but, this never havent existed. In these days the neoliberal atack against worker class, all the worker class have increased the diferences. This lack of polítical economy criticism empoverishes the serie. The outcome Is the false idea that if we have not racial and gender exclusion all the people could be rich in the American dreaof exclusion, but the real answer Is that the nightmare of exclusion Is the explotation.

I hope for a future native American could be include. Their case View by the 14 enmende could mame chance ours mines as we see us as society.

I thought I knew my history but...

[devona-98709 · 10/10 · 19 February 2021]

What an educational series about the 14th amendment and how our country has needs to treat our democracy as a living and breathing document which often is use to advance the betterment of our citizens and how fragile are democracy is also! I will from now on paid much more attention.

People who need to watch this...won't

[atleverton · 5/10 · 10 May 2023]

The documentary is about the 14th Amendment, and the 14th Amendment is the one the documentary claims that it's actually the most important amendment that Americans don't really think about. It is more concentrated on the first and the Second Amendment, but it's the one that guarantees equal protections under the law for everyone who is living every person who's living in the United States and every person born in the United States is a citizen of the United States. It talks about how this whole process came to be, they talk about before the Civil War. Or things that led up to that. It focuses a great deal on Frederick Douglass, and then it talks about the Reconstruction. And then it talks about Jim Crow laws. Most of the series is focused on the struggle for recognition of African Americans, but then it does do one episode about women's rights, one episode about LGBTQ rights and then one episode about immigrant rights. I have really conflicted feelings about this documentary because I think people who should watch it aren't going to watch it and the people who do watch it or have watched probably already agree with its tenants and the people who don't agree with the tenants or its thesis won't watch it anyway, so they won't be convinced.

Eye opening

[johnnyeure · 10/10 · 21 February 2021]

This is a must see documentary, Netflix and Will Smith takes you on a journey of truth. The rating should be higher because it has a peice on "💩 Gone with the Wind 💩" in it. 😆 🤣 We've all seen how high that rating is. 🗑

Simply Brilliant!!

[terencestokes · 10/10 · 2 August 2021]

To be honest, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised how accurate and informative this documentary is. This gives an in depth look at both the progress, and the injustice that marginalized groups of people in this country face back then, and continue to face, even now. Definitely consider this series for a night of evening entertainment. I highly recommend it.

Awesome! Compelling!

[jacquetta-84697 · 10/10 · 26 February 2021]

This is great way to teach all of us the history of the 14th Amendment and beyond. This should be used in schools.... This kept our children's attention and enjoyed the video education. This sparked a great bit of conversation at the dinner table.