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American History X and Racism

Julie Moore, Yahoo! Contributor Network

Jul 1, 2008 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

American History X is truly one of the most powerful films out there about the lasting effects of

racism. Screenwriter David McKenna hit the nail on the head depicting the subtle ways in which

racism is transferred across generations and the

reasons why some people turn to hate groups. AsProduction President Michael De Luca states,

"What this film says is what is learned and passed

down in your family can get unlearned" (Welkos).

Cleary the main characters Derek (Edward

Norton) and Danny (Edward Furlong) show the

viewer that hate is learned. At first, it seems like

their family life was okay before their father was

killed, but we quickly learn that their father

(William Russ) was a likeable but very racist

man. The dinner conversation that takes place

shocks the viewer into understanding exactly how such racist people are made. While their mother

(Beverly D'Angelo) is much more moderate, both boys idolize their father and pay heed to his racistviews. When he is killed and the family begins a slow spiral downhill, it becomes easy for the boys to

blame all black people for his death. They join a Neo-Nazi group and the whole family plummets. The

climax is Derek killing a man in a horribly brutal and dehumanized way. At this point in the movie, the

music is almost religious and the imagery is straight from the Bible. Derek is the Christ-figure with the

twisted cross (swastika) on his chest. He is all-powerful and unrepentant for what he has done. He

goes to prison and is changed there by a few things-being victim to a brutal crime by a white man and

becoming friends with a very decent black man.

When he finally gets out of prison, his family is completely in a state of decline financially, and he

attempts to turn his life around. The most powerful image is he and Da nny dismantling their bedroom

of all the Neo-Nazi paraphernalia. Derek is "reborn" in a sense and the movie itself turns to color from

black and white, just as Derek's world turns to color. He realizes that what he believed was wrong and

doesn't see things quite so clearly anymore. In a final heart wrenching scene, Danny is killed to pay for

his brother quitting the Neo-Nazi group. Derek arrives on the scene right after this has happened and

cradles his brother's bloody and lifeless body.

While Derek has attempted to change his life, he has lost his brother. In the wake of this tragedy, the

viewer knows that Derek will not return to his old ways of violence begetting violence. He will find a

way to pack his family up and move them away in an attempt to lead a more normal life.

This movie provides the viewer an inside look at the activities of Neo-Nazi groups, which is d ownright

scary. And even in the face of this tragedy, the viewer has hope that racism can indeed be turned

around and "unlearned" so to speak. While Danny Kaye (director) did not see the project to

completion, the movie provides a haunting look at racism and does not come off as too preachy.

Top Websites for African American History

Neo-Nazi Group Protests at Tulsa Area Church

Original Collection of African American History

Poems

Celebrating Black History Month with 10 Great

African American History Books

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Adaptable for Elementary, Middle and Hig...

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American History X: a Critical View of the Movie

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ican History X and Racism - Yahoo! Voices - voices.yahoo.com http://voices.yahoo.com/american-history-x-racism-1609

7/22/2012


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What Do You Know About American History X?

A overview of racism, stereotypes, skinheads, deviance and much more in

the film American History X.

Best Books and Web Sites for Learning About African American

History

This paper gives resources to those wanting to learn about AfricanAmerican History. It also includes additional resources for futher study.

Does Britney's Chrome Dome Mean She's a

Buddhist or a Neo-nazi?

Representatives of Spears are denying any connectionbetween the chrome dome and an affiliation with any

religion or group, but that has not stopped a flurry of speculation.

Neo-Nazi "Hammerfest 2007" in Portland, Oregon is Shut Down

Hammerskin Nation's 20th anniversary gathering ejected by Elks Lodge.

Neo-Nazis in America: They're Not Just "Hailing" Hitler

A look at the various aspects of neo-Nazxis in America, as well as their

new appeal to young disaffected teen-agers.

Works Cited

Welkos. R. (1998). The Thin Line Between Fear and Hate. The Lost Angeles Times.

Retrieved December 1, 2007 at Web Site:

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/3036/analyse1.html

Published by Julie Moore

I am a high school English teacher of 15 years who has recently moved to the field of Educational Adminstration. I am a

Curriculum Coordinator and a Gifted and Talented Coordinator. I am highly literate a... View profile

4 Comments

Post a Comment

white brothers of america3/24/2010

white brothers of america3/24/2010

the full stztment was not posted. view my full statment at my website:

http:www.whitebrothersofamerica.yolasite.com

and be sure to find"white brothers of america" on facebook and myspace

The white race is hated more than any race out there. Why? They hated us back to when slavery ws

active. There was nothing wrong with slavery. It was legal all over the world. In parts of the world it is

still legal today. Slavery went on as far as the bible time (even though i am one that is not religious). We

free them on are own good will, then gave them rights. We had no reason to free them or give themrights. They were slaves and should of been sent back to there country. However, we allowed a bunch

of people to stay in America that never belong here. They should be thanking us for what we did. If it

was not up to us to free them, slavery will still be going on. The papers were never actualy sign to free

them and when they did free them the idea was to ship them to another country. Instead we breed them

with every race to create more color and slaves. It was a stupid act to give rights to a race that we

breed. It only made more of them. Did anyone think they would get us back for


7/22/2012


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Wayneious 2/8/2009

Ben Kenber7/2/2008

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The younger brother was not killed due to Edward Norton's character removing himself and his family

from the Neo-Nazi movement that he had himself into after his father's death. The younger brother was

killed due to an altercation which transpired earlier in the movie between the younger brother and someother youths who feel and dispatch power from the end of a gun. I feel some points are in place from

this writer but as far as the brother being killed for Norton leaving the neo-Nazi movement is off from the

premise of the story. The movie is a very good movie with some minor flaws as far as construction of

the movie goes (anyone here have a home where the front door opens out? I don't know a single

person...but this was done for story line none the less.) . I think the writer here should have another go

at the movie.

Great movie. Edward Norton was brilliant here, and that last scene is a heart wrencher if there ever was

one.


7/22/2012

american history x and racism - yahoo! voices - voices

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