American History X, starring Edward Norton, is a controversial film that delves into the lives of a family that is affected by neo-Nazism. Derek Vinyard, the oldest son, is a fierce neo Nazi who is well respected by the local skinhead gangs. One night a few black guys attempt to steal Derek’s truck. The truck is special to Derek because it was given to him by his father who was killed by a drug dealer while putting out a fire. Derek kills two of the black men, one of which he curb stomped (and who could forget that scene?) He is then arrested sent to prison for manslaughter. While in prison Derek undergoes a transformation and sheds his Nazi ways, while his younger brother Danny only gets deeper into the Nazi lifestyle and following Derek’s footsteps. Once Derek gets out he is dedicated to keep Danny from going down the same path he did.
Many people believe the film has an anti-racist message. Others, however, argue the exact opposite and say the film harbors pro-racist messages. Obviously this film can be interpreted many different ways. I believe this film’s message is anti-racist, however it does have racist messages in the dialogue. I do not believe that the film is pro-racism though. I believe in order to show the negative effects of racism it is necessary to actually show the argument of the other side. I don’t think the film would be as effective if the film simply said “Racism is bad mmkay” and doesn’t show the other viewpoint for what it is. It is necessary for the characters to be realistic. It’s easy to hate Seth the fat Nazi in his van, but how about Derek? He is intelligent, smart, and fit, but he’s a Nazi. He is important because he brings up the same arguments a real racist would bring up, yet at the end of it he sees that what he has done has not made anyone’s life better. In prison he is also gets a taste of his own medicine. He experiences what he was treating blacks like, which prompts him to change his ways.
Another argument for the film being pro-racist is that the characters are all extreme cases. The viewer might say, “Well I’m not a Nazi, so I must not be racist.” The film has two important characters who are not extreme cases; for example, Derek’s father. He is a normal US citizen. He has a job, a house, and a family. He is still racially prejudiced though. “What about the blacks? They’re all shown as if they were animals.” This isn’t true, look at Sweeney. A highly intelligent, well spoken, strong, respected black man with 2 PhD’s. Dr. Sweeney and Mr. Vinyard are both realistic characters.
In conclusion I believe this film has an anti-racist message but presents both arguments realistically. I believe that thinking this film is pro-racism is like thinking firemen are violent for using axes to break through doors.
I must begin by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed the Flintstones scene, Derek is much less threatening as The Great Gazoo. But it was necessary for that character to be realistically threatening in the actual movie. I think you make an extremely important case against the “pro-racist” views of American History X and I completely agree with you. If the filmmakers had not approached this like a real life situation and had not given the racist characters any lines that “sounded too racist”, then there would have been no point in making the movie at all. Thanks for an entertaining and enlightening post.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you and the point you made about how the movie is not pro-racist because they were just trying to make it realistic and believable. That "in order to show the negative effects of racism it is necessary to actually show the argument of the other side."
ReplyDeleteYou made such a valid point. When thinking about the black people that weren't portrayed in extreme cases Sweeney completely slipped my mind even though he is one of the major characters, but he is a prime example of a black character that was not portrayed as extreme in any way.
I think the movie shows both sides of racism very well, the blacks hating the whites and the whites hating the blacks.
I think that one of the things that the movie is trying to say with a majority of the racist characters being portrayed in such an extreme way is that if you are racist and hate people solely for their race, you might as well be a Neo-Nazi because you are just as bad.
The fact that some of the characters are extreme views of racism while others are not is exactly what I thought. I also agree with your argument that for a decision to be made on what view this movie supports both sides need to be shown. While Mr. Vineyard and Dr. Sweeney are less extreme views of the main characters, their roles are important in showing how certain characters develop, meaning Derek’s racist view of the world and how it shifts because of these two men. The Flintstones clip was interesting and amusing as well.
ReplyDeleteDan, I think this is a well written piece. The story does revolve around a family that is infected with hatred. I also agree that it is a highly controversial film. Some critics even think that it promotes racism. I concur that this film is anti-racist. It shows the redemption of Derek (Edward Norton) when he befriends a black man in jail, and then beats up his former mentor. You are correct in stating that the only reason there is so much oppressive language and violence is to amplify how bad racism is. You make a good point by saying that Derek was a very realistic character. Just because someone has racist tendencies does not mean they cannot be good in other aspects of life. Derek's father is another example of someone who as an average guy affected by notions of hatred. There is a difference between racism and prejudice however. prejudice involves hating someone purely because of their race. Racism is instilled in the system of a government. It puts down a whole race and prevents them from progressing. That is what Derek and his neo-nazi friends were trying to accomplish throughout the film. The film has positive connotations however, and shows that racism can be combated through the change of heart by Edward Norton. It blatantly shows that racism is still alive and well though in the final scene when Danny is killed, showing how racism breaks families apart.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't see how someone could see this movie as pro-racist if they watched the full movie. At the end it is evident that it is indeed an anti-racist movie right at the end when Derek is holding his brother and blames himself, not the shooter. I agree with you that it is easy to dislike Seth and I have more appreciation for Derek and how the movie portrayed him. I also agree that the movie does exaggerate what a racist is, or who is a racist.
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