Prejudice in the Film American History X - 1422 Words

Prejudice, a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or personal experience. The amount of prejudice differs from person to person, but no one 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 threatened as a white American. He blames gangs, blacks, immigrants and even his mentor Cameron for all of Americas problems. For instance, in one of the scenes in the film, both whites and blacks were playing basketball on the local basketball court. After an argument with one of the blacks, Derek decides whoever wins the game keeps the court and who ever loses leaves for good. â€Å" If you win, we will walk outta here, but if we win, no bitching, no fighting, right here in front of everybody you pack up your shit and get your black asses outta here (American History X).† The violent game came to an end and the black gang was kicked out. Instead of kicking each other off the court, they should have shared at least half. However, Derek felt the black people dont deserve to play on the same ground as the whites. Derek claims his fathersShow MoreRelatedAnalysis 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 th e resemblance of his elder brother. The movie begins with flashbacks of Derek’s incarceration, and everythingRead MoreAnalysis Of The Film American History X1537 Words   |  7 Pagesonly a taste of the violence presented within the film American HIstory X (Tony Kaye). In his work, Kaye explores the origins of racism through the minds of Derek (Edward Norton) and his brother, Danny (Edward Furlong); however, the film tells the story of far more than these two brothers. It tells the story of all those who have ever overcame their prejudice feelings through the process of introspection and their proximity to those they are prejudice towards. While the situations and character transformationsRead MoreCharacters Filled with Hatred in Movie American History X Essay674 Words   |  3 PagesAmerican History X is an invigorating movie that takes its viewers on a journey in a well thought and unsuspecting plot. The main character is consumed with hatred for every race excluding whit e Protestants. When he encounters desocialization/resocialization in a prison, he changes his thoughts and beliefs, and they follow him even after he leaves the prison. Groupthink and deviance are both displayed in this movie thoroughly. While groupthink is accepted in society and portrayed as the norm, devianceRead MoreFilm Review of American History X1110 Words   |  5 PagesThe film American History X is rated by the users of IMDB.com (Internet Movie DataBase) as one of the 50 best films ever made. It is a crime/drama, a very violent film; not for the faint-hearted. American History X was released in 1998, and it is directed by Tony Kaye. Casting: -Edward Norton (Derek Vinyard) -Edward Furlong (Daniel Vinyard) -Avery Brooks (Dr. Bob Sweeney) -Stacy Keach (Cameron Alexander) -Beverly DAngelo (Doris Vinyard) -Jennifer Lien (Davina Vinyard) Read MoreStereotypes, Conformity, And Discrimination1742 Words   |  7 PagesPrejudices and Discrimination in American History X Abstract Stereotyping, prejudice, conformity, and discrimination are well portrayed in the movie American History X. The negative attitude held by Derek towards to black people is greatly influenced and learned from his father who was a racist. Derek also transfers these prejudice attitudes towards his younger brother Danny as he grows up seeing the racism practiced in his family and his brother. Although these attitudes are based on propagandaRead MorePrejudice, comformity and stereotyping in American History X2585 Words   |  11 PagesIntroduction To The Topic American History X is a great film that portrays prejudice, stereotyping and conformity. Prejudice is negative attitudes toward others based on their gender, religion, race, or membership in a particular group. Prejudice involves beliefs and emotions that can turn into hatred. Having an opinion or idea about a member of a group without really knowing that individual is a part of prejudice. Some people make judgments about a whole group of people without knowing very muchRead MoreCultural Exploration Of A Sightseeing Tour1707 Words   |  7 Pagesexploration from the comfort of my home, and gain new perspectives from various readings, discussions, films. In addition, the course also encouraged me to step outside my â€Å"cultural comfort zone† through different exploratory projects. It would be difficult to explore the ever-expanding multitude of cultures that exist (and will exist) in one, six-week course; however, many of the assigned readings and films provided a solid foundation to begin my exploration. When reading Takaki’s A Different Mirror, IRead 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 MoreRacial Discrimination : American History X, Remember The Titans And The Blind Side Showed1864 Words   |  8 Pagescolor by violence, the unawareness, and their behavior. The three films I had an analyst on American History X, Remember the Titans and The Blind Side showed, everyone is constantly fighting to be better than their neighbor, and the skin-color stratification is just another excuse to look down on them. Four causes that standout in these films mainly in this area which is stereotype, superiority, unfamiliarity, and education. Many Americans think of racism as something of the past, something back whenRead MoreAnalysis Of Raoul Peck s French Cinema 1491 Words   |  6 Pagesin the film industry with his cinematic adaptations of reality. From taxi driver, to Minister of culture, to honorary award winning director, Raoul Peck has experienced the world in ways few will ever have the chance to. Just as he thought his life would revolve around international affairs at the United Nations, he created a bigger platform to spread the news about foreign relations. His documentaries and films have been about real people and he believes film can try and save our histories, our memories