Netflix is going to tackle the 14th amendment with the help of Will Smith. The streaming service will release a six-part documentary series.
Amend: The Fight For America will premiere on February 17 which has Will as the producer and host. The episodes will go through the amendment which promised liberty and equal protection of all people back in 1868.
The show will feature former Nightly Show star Larry Wilmore as an executive producer. It also includes a rotation of well-known faces like Mahershala Ali, Diane Lane, Samuel L. Jackson, Pedro Pascal, and Yara Shahidi. The group will be presenting speeches and writings by the Amendment’s most passionate advocates.
Amend is billed as a powerful, multimedia journey through American history that urges viewers to question what the United States really means. Will made a statement as he announced the news on Monday. He said we are living unpredictable days as a society and as a country. The actor shared that he believes that the improvement of personal and historical understanding is the spark igniting the flames of wanted compassion.
The Aladdin actor shared, “We are living in unprecedented days as a society, as a country, and as a human family. I believe that the cultivation of personal and historical understanding is the imperative spark igniting the flames of desperately needed compassion and healing.”
He further wrote how as Americans, they go on to form a perfect union that really practices justice and equality for all. The actor shared that he believes a deeper recognition of the 14th Amendment is a critical jumping point.
“I’m grateful to Netflix and the phenomenal group of people who came together”
Will added, “Our hope with this series is to illuminate the beauty that is the promise of America and to share a message of connection and shared humanity so that we will be able to better understand and celebrate our different experiences as Americans and promote progress toward the true equality promised to all persons under the 14th amendment. I’m grateful to Netflix and the phenomenal group of people who came together both in front of and behind the camera to help us tell this story.”
The group also includes creators Tom Yellin and Robe Imbriano. Along with them, there are also directors Reinaldo Marcus Green and Kenny Leon. The series will be executive produced by Jamal Watson, Jonna Mclaughlin, Terence Carter, Jana Babatunde-Bey, and Angus Wall.
Meanwhile, Larry hoped that families can watch Amend together and have the series be a compelling conversation starter. He said how everything they have seen happens in America; in the last few years is about Black people and other marginalized societies.
The executive producer further added, “Everything we’ve seen happen in America in the last few years is about what Black people and other marginalized groups have always wanted; to make sure that we are really part of America; and have everything that’s been promised to us by the Constitution. I think it’d be really fantastic if Amend helped people to better understand; how special the bond can be between each of us and our country.”
Will Smith will always be known as the face of tentpoles; as he has started to get into political conversations in recent years. Back in 2015, the actor was so shocked by the spewings of then-president, Donald Trump that he forced himself with getting engaged.
He said at the time, “As I look at the political landscape; I think that there might be a future out there for me. This is the first year that I’ve been incensed to a level that I can’t sleep, you know? So I’m feeling that at some point, in the near future; I will have to lend my voice to the conversation in a somewhat different way.”
