American History X Essay - 1126 Words

American History X nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Will racism ever come to an end or will its path go on infinitely? For the most part, the majority of people respect those who are different either in color, race, and/or heritage; however, there are those few that hold bigoted views towards people who are different than they are. The movie American History X by Tony Kaye displays an example of people who hold bigoted views. Derek, a Neo-Nazi leader, must contend with his actions relating to his past racist views and actions. This powerful movie explores its characters thoroughly and gives reasons why people become so callous and turn towards a racist group. It also exposes insight to problems that plague America when it comes to racism in†¦show more content†¦Derek realized that hatred towards people did not help him, his family, or the situation at hand. Instead of being negative and destructive, why not be positive. Hurting people and destroying property does not solve problems, but only makes the m worse by causing more resentment and tension between people (Theriou). Nothing good has ever come out of a situation where one person has been the victim of a crime or abuse. Good things come out of situations where people show hospitality, good will, and compassion; not hatred. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;It is made very clear that Derek and Danny have no affiliations with the Ku Klux Klan. Derek calls the KKK a bunch of disorganized rednecks that very inanely run around with sheets on their heads. Instead they are part of a Neo-Nazi group in Southern California. In America today there are â€Å"estimated to be about 200,000 members 602 3 associated with white power groups (included in these estimates are supporters and hard core members plus their families)† (Suall). That is a lot of people who are affiliated with known racist groups. When looking on the Internet a person can realize how much hate is present in our world. John Hron website has estimates of Neo-Nazis in countries and a little bit about how that country views Nazism. America has about 85,000 Neo-Nazi members compared with 47,000 German Neo-Nazis. Germany though has a lotShow MoreRelatedEssay on Racism in American History X936 Words   |  4 Pages American History X is clearly a film dealing with racism. The interesting thing about this film is the way in which the subject is treated. First of all, it is obvious that, though racism is always a difficult subject to deal with, American History X presents it without any reservations or dumming down. Second, the films figurehead for racism, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), is not an unintellige nt redneck racist as films often portray them, but is in fact well-spoken, charismatic and intelligentRead MoreAmerican History X By Tony Kaye1343 Words   |  6 PagesLet me introduce you to a world where colour matters, where if you are African American you can say goodbye to being a living soul, and you can definitely guarantee a brutal end to your life. Now â€Å"put your motherf****** mouth on the curb† and say goodnight. It’s a white man s world and you my friend have no rights at all. American History X, directed by Tony Kaye is about a former neo-Nazi who has been released from jail and is now trying to right his wrongs. His goal to make sure his brother doesRead MoreAmerican History X: Analysis of Lighting and Color2182 Words   |  9 PagesAmerican History X American History X is divided into two color schemes, black and white, and color, these schemes symbolize the before and after of Derek Vinyards life. The film is about the life of an idol skinhead and D.O.C. member Derek Vinyard, and how his life of hate and racism has affected his family and himself. Throughout the movie the importance of color and lighting is obvious, because it divides the movie into two fused worlds of Derek. Some of the movie is shot in black and whiteRead MoreRacism in American History X1021 Words   |  5 PagesRacism in American History X â€Å"Get the fuck out of my house!† exclaims Derek as he pulls down his wife-beater to reveal a swastika tattoo, â€Å"See this? That means not welcome.† American History X, directed by Tony Kaye, is a movie about the transformation of Derek Vinyard: a young neo-Nazi skinhead. Derek’s father, Dennis Vinyard, was a middle-class fireman who disagreed with many of the ideological changes–such as affirmative â€Å"black† action–happening in America at the time. His father died whileRead MoreRacism in American History X951 Words   |  4 PagesAmerican History X is clearly a film dealing with racism. The interesting thing about this film is the way in which the subject is treated. First of all, it is obvious that, though racism is always a difficult subject to deal with, American History X presents it without any reservations or dumming down. Second, the films figurehead for racism, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), is not an unintelligent redne ck racist as films often portray them, but is in fact well-spoken, charismatic and intelligentRead MoreThe Film American History X1248 Words   |  5 PagesThe film American History X begins with an average American middle-class family; four well-behaved children and two all-American parents living in Long Beach, California. The father is killed in a shooting, leaving his eldest son, Derek, the head of the household. Derek becomes enveloped in Neo-Nazi culture from the end of his adolescent years into early adulthood, and he becomes the leader of a gang. At this point, his younger brother, Danny, is an adolescent and begins mimicking his older brother’sRead MoreThe Movie American History X979 Words   |  4 PagesRecently I watched the movie American History X. Its major subjects are gang violence and racism, that has been passed on from generation to generation. It also asked questions like, what were their racist ideas really based on, how did racism effect the community, can racism be reshaped by actual experiences, and how or why racism to begin with? Racism has been the main topic in the judicial system, police affairs, and racially divided communities for years but it s neither disappearing nor growingRead MorePrejudice in the Film American History X1422 Words   |  6 Pagesone is free from it. In the film, American History X, Derek is a great example of how prejudice someone can be. Derek agrees with the white power movement because he feels victimized and threatened by everyone who is not white, but in prison he learns his stereotypes are full of holes; from the film I learned there is no reason to hate one another based on race or stereotypes. Life is too short to live a life based on hate. Throughout the film, American History X, Derek feels victimized and threatenedRead More American History X Essay examples1430 Words   |  6 PagesAmerican History X American History X is clearly a film dealing with the social topic of racism. The interesting thing about this film is the way in which the subject is presented. First of all, it is obvious that, though racism is always a difficult subject to deal with, American History X presents it without any reservations or dummying down. Second, the films figurehead for racism, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), is not an unintelligent redneck racist as films often portray them, but is inRead MoreAnalysis Of The Movie American History X 1586 Words   |  7 PagesIn the movie, â€Å"American History X†, the plot surrounds the life of two brothers who are involved with the D.O.C. a well-known white supremacist group in Venice Beach. Danny Vinyard is a high school student who admires his older brother, Derek, a former skinhead. Through the incarceration of his brother Derek, Danny becomes more affiliated with the skinheads and is mentioned at times as being the resemblance of his elder brothe r. The movie begins with flashbacks of Derek’s incarceration, and everything