Essay on Racism in American History X
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 film s figurehead for racism, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), is not an unintelligent
redneck racist as films often portray them, but is in fact well spoken, charismatic and intelligent,
although he clearly holds ideals that are terribly wrong. Finally, the film shows that it is not just the
white, neo nazi racists who are fools to be involved in this, but all racism is foolish. Through these
methods, the film shows the viewer, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Derek s time in prison shows the results of this terrible way of life, and from the moment he takes off
his shirt in the outdoor workout area, revealing his huge swastika tattoo to the other neo nazi inmates,
he becomes involved in another horrible situation, resulting in his being raped in the showers when
things go wrong. Perhaps the most tragic scene of the film is also its most effective in delivering to the
audience, the emotional destruction that racism can cause. When Danny at the end of the film is shot
repeatedly by a black student he had previously pissed off, Derek runs into the school, finds his
brother dead, and his life and the lives of his family are changed forever.
What makes Derek such a powerful and frightening character is not the fact that he is racist, it is the
fact that instead of choosing a somewhat regular, backwoods, unintelligent racist as the films central
character, Derek is well spoken and bright. It is these qualities that allow him to recruit the youths of
Venice Beach and form, with the help of his mentor Cameron Alexander, the entire white supremacist
culture permeating the area. Instead of just telling them to hate black, hispanic, asian people because
they are of that race, he makes speeches, telling them charismatically and passionately how these
people are stealing their jobs, causing Americans to suffer a poor standard of living. He tells them
America needs to take care of Americans
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