One of the best ways to alleviate boredom is to kick back, turn on Netflix and find an interesting documentary, one that makes you think about the bigger questions and challenges your beliefs or those perpetuated by society. These are my top ten documentaries on Netflix that really made me think and taught me something all while entertaining me. If you haven't seen any of these yourself, I strongly suggest that you do! Fair warning, because the topics addressed in these documentaries confront big societal issues, odds are that you WILL get angry or upset, but that's the price of being woke, y'all!

1) 13th

Most people I know have already seen this documentary, but if you haven't, I don't just suggest that you do, I believe that it should be required, that's how incredible it is. This documentary is about the after effects of the ratification of the 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution that abolished slavery. 13th argues that the abolishing of slavery didn't end African-American enslavement, rather that it became institutionalized via Jim Crow Laws and mass incarceration. Through the presentation of data, court case decisions, legislation, quotes from presidents and other high-ranking government officials and educated speakers, 13th reveals the true horrors of modern day racism and just how much the government plays into it here in the United States. It's a HUGE eye-opener.

2) Blackfish

Blackfish follows the story of Tilikum, one of SeaWorld's killer whales who has, in fact, killed trainers. However, Tilikum is not to blame, SeaWorld is. Through the interviews of former SeaWorld trainers who have worked with Tilikum and other killer whales, news reports and court cases, this documentary uncovers the truth about SeaWorld from its beginning to the present day. The practices carried out by SeaWorld in regards to its killer whales is inhumane and the lies the corporation keeps up to protect itself are insanely infuriating. Blackfish made me think about how I went to SeaWorld as a child and had no idea that any of the things that are talked about in the documentary had happened and were still going on. Not only did it make me think about killer whales, it also made me take other animals in captivity into consideration; is it right?

3) Miss Representation

Miss Representation is an incredibly popular documentary and is often shown in schools because of the importance of the gender issues it confronts. This film identifies the gender stereotypes directed towards women and shows how the media plays a major role in the perpetuation of those stereotypes through its imagery, rhetoric and advertising. Women are depicted solely as sexual objects designed for the gratification of men, and this documentary addresses the negative impacts that societal mentality has on young girls and women as a whole. To see the numbers directly in front of you as Miss Representation does, it's alarming how much gender inequality still exists today. For me, it really made me think about who I am as a woman and how the patriarchal lens of society has influenced who I've become. Miss Representation is not just for women! Men should also watch this documentary to educate themselves on the struggles women face and what their role and responsibility is as a man to help fight against those struggles.

4) The Mask You Live In

Going along the same vein as Miss Representation, The Mask You Live In talks about the hypermasculinity society sustains and teaches boys from a young age. Like women, men are expected to act (or not act ) a certain way and do (or not do) certain things or else they will be looked down upon and be seen as "feminine," showing that society believes that being feminine is to be lesser, which Miss Representation addresses and combats. When people say that gender is a social construct, this is what they mean; society perpetuates such strong and rigid gender roles and expects everyone to conform to them at the risk of being ostracized. I suggest watching Miss Representation and The Mask You Live In together, for they address the same issues of gender expectations and stereotypes.

5) Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus consider themselves to be minimalists. On their website, they describe minimalism as a means to freedom, "freedom from fear, freedom from worry, freedom from overwhelm, freedom from guilt, freedom from depression, freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around. Real freedom." The basic philosophy is that there's no use in having material things that don't bring you joy or enrich your life, especially in a practical way. That being said, that doesn't mean that having material things is bad. This documentary really makes you think about the sheer magnitude of stuff you have, how much of that stuff you use and how much of that stuff really makes you happy. Watching Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things will really motivate you to start your spring cleaning early!

6) (Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies

Okay, I'm not gonna lie, but this documentary can make you feel like crap about yourself, however, it's very informative. (Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies delves into the human psyche and the larger impact lying has on society whether they be little white lies are monumental untruths. This documentary explains how and why we ALL lie through discussions with behavioral economist Dan Ariely, experiments, and personal testimonies. It's interesting how lying seems natural to human beings and belongs to our collective consciousness when we all would like to insist we're the definition of honesty. One fun thing to do while watching this documentary is to participate in the experiments that are conducted or at least think about the ways in which you would act if you were to. You might learn a lot about yourself watching this one!

7) The Fear of 13

The Fear of 13 is about the true story of Nick Yarris, who was on death row for 21 years for the murder of a young woman he didn't commit. Nick is an incredible storyteller and relays the events of his life, and let me tell you, it's a roller coaster ride from start to finish. One of the only things that brought Nick solace during his time on death row was literature; he elevated his education all by himself through reading countless works and thumbing through a dictionary. Honestly, I don't think I'd be able to maintain my sanity if I'd been in Nick's shoes, and I admire him greatly for his perseverance. His dark, somber, crazy yet hopeful, humble and uplifting story will bring you to tears... multiple times, or at least it did to me. Keep tissues nearby!

8) Jesus Camp

Jesus Camp is a popular documentary that exposed the intense conservative Christian indoctrination to children at the Kids on Fire School of Ministry summer camp in North Dakota. Despite the fact that this documentary came out in 2006, it's still important today, for there has been a resurgence of conservative Christianity. Jesus Camp sheds light onto the extreme and radical thinking of these conservative Christians and the things they teach their children. Becky Fischer, the woman in the gif above, was the head of the summer camp until the group disbanded and reestablished as the Kids in Ministry International. Some of the things she would personally indoctrinate to the children within the came were the support of President George W. Bush and training them against "the enemy" (Islam). Be prepared to be flabbergasted by everything Jesus Camp has to offer.

9) Into the Abyss

Into the Abyss follows the story of Michael Perry, who murdered a woman named Sandra Stotler. In this documentary, Michael is interviewed eight days before his execution where he relays his story and feelings on being days away from death. The documentary also includes news footage from the Stotler murder and interviews from those who knew him, and a former correctional officer and reverend who worked on death row. You learn about the process of death row to the green mile to the room at the end of the hall. You learn the truth about lethal injection and its ethical costs. Into the Abyss straps you to the infamous table and injects you with doubt about the humanity surrounding Capital Punishment if you hadn't already had it.

10) Holy Hell

Holy Hell is a documentary that exposes the cult Buddhafield led by a man named Michel Rostand from the inside. Holy Hell interviews escaped Buddhafield members and their personal testimonies on what went on within the cult. At the beginning of the documentary, Buddhafield seems like a harmless haven for people looking for direction and meaning could flock to, but it quickly turns into something much darker as the years roll on. Watching this, you can begin to understand cult psychology and how damaging it can be, as seen through those who escaped Michel's sadistic and manipulative clutches.

Heed my warnings! Keep tissues nearby for some of these documentaries, and don't forget to keep an open mind so you can stay woke.