American History X

689 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The effects of racism

The world is composed of different people with diverse nationalities. There are many countries in this world which contribute different traits to society. In the United States itself, there are about 198 nationalities out of 254 countries worldwide as reported in the 2000 census. As showed by the film American History X, prejudice is the antagonist. The character of Derek Vinyard, the leader of the Nazi skinhead community in the film demonstrates neglect, discrimination and brutality against non-American citizens (migrants) which results in Derek being sent to prison for a couple of years, after which he returns a changed man. Never show prejudice against anybody regardless of race, skin color, religion, etc., without getting to know a person, because for every action, there is an equal reaction.
Prejudice is showed throughout the beginning as well as the ending of American history X film. In the film, there is a scene in which Derek is prejudiced against a gang of African–American basketball players in Venice Beach, CA. Derek decides to intervene in a basketball game in order to impose a deal in which the squandered team abandons the Venice basketball courts permanently. A win is granted to Derek’s skinhead team, resulting in a run off on behalf of the losing team African-American team. This shows us that prejudice can take over a certain individual without them knowing the person or persons they are about to discriminate against. No matter what their skin color, race or religion is, no act of discrimination will ever be acceptable.
Family, friends, work environment or media can be a factor in promoting prejudice against others. A certain individual can learn discrimination, plus prejudice, in the factors I illustrated. In the ...

... middle of paper ...

...r ethnic groups and encourages his younger brother, Danny, to follow his steps and the values of a good citizen.
In conclusion, the world contains diverse nationalities which make up a nation. In the United States itself, there are many people who come from other countries. There are many countries in this world which contribute positive traits to society rather than negative. As showed by American History X, prejudice is the main issue. Derek Vinyard, leader of the Nazi skinhead community in the film, demonstrates neglect, discrimination and brutality against non-American citizens (migrants) that results in his incarceration. Ultimately, he returns a changed man. Demonstrating prejudicial behavior against anybody’s race, skin color, religion, etc., without getting to know a person, will result in a negative outcome. For every action, there is an equal reaction.

Show More
Related

  • Interpreting Choy's and Taylor's Short Stories: Issues of Modern Racism and Prejudice

    1382 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...r own unique ways.; however, the authors focus on different aspects of prejudice and racism, resulting in them communicating different ideas and thoughts that range from racial discrimination to stereotypical attitudes. The range of ideas attempt to engage the readers about the reality of their issues. The reality about a world where prejudice and racism still prevail in modern times. But when will prejudice and racism ever cease to exist? And if they were ever to cease from existence, what does that mean about humankind?

    Read More

  • Human Flaws In The Monsters Are Due On Maple '

    1283 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many examples throughout “The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street” that show that prejudice is a human flaw. According to Les Goodman, “You were so quick to kill, Charlie, and you were so quick to tell us who we had to be careful off. Well maybe you had to kill. Maybe Peter there was trying to tell us something. Maybe he’d found out something

    Read More

  • Ghost Boy by Ian Lawrence

    1506 Words  | 4 Pages

    Prejudice is an issue that cannot be easily avoided in today's society. It has and always will have a huge impact on the discrimination that some people face based on religion, appearance, background, mental/physical disabilities and etc.

    Read More

  • Gordon Allport Pride And Prejudice Analysis

    1297 Words  | 3 Pages

    We’ve all done it: walking down a hallway, judging someone or thinking someone is less than what we perceive ourselves to be based on the color of their skin or how they are dressed, or even their physical features. The author of The Language of Prejudice, Gordon Allport, shares how we live in a society where we are ridiculed for being less than a culture who labels themselves as dominant. This essay reveals the classifications made to the American morale. Allport analyzes in many ways how language can stimulate prejudice and the connection between language and prejudice.

    Read More

  • Remember The Titans And The Blind Side: Film Analysis

    1483 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the world today, the globalization process happen around the world and people come together to exchange the culture, information, technology, education and knowledge, however; another side of society always try to ignore other people with different color by violent, the unawareness, and their behavior. Racial discrimination occurs in the world mainly in this area which is stereotypes, unfamiliarity, egotism, and education. The three films I had 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. Many Americans think of racism as something of the past, something back when

    Read More

  • Crash The Movie Crash Analysis

    778 Words  | 2 Pages

    Racism has been introduced in America over a long period of time; moreover, since the beginning of the 18th century and it is still being executed today. Racism is a belief to make each race either feel superior or inferior to another. In Crash, racial prejudice is manifested throughout the film within many social groups. The film Crash demonstrates racial prejudice towards many ethic groups by displaying stereotypes, violence, and racial tensions.

    Read More

  • socilogical memoir

    984 Words  | 2 Pages

    Overall, race, class and culture impacts one’s place in society. I have Four hundred years of history cannot be wiped away so easily. I realized that society has a long way to go and the importance of fighting all injustices. Martin Luther King captured it best by saying “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.

    Read More

  • Fences Against Freedom

    1265 Words  | 3 Pages

    Racism affects everyone on Earth since people are all different. Leslie Marmon Silko wrote an essay called Fences Against Freedom. She was a person of mixed-ancestry who has faced racism very closely from childhood to adulthood. Early on She recalls being rejected from some school pictures, later as an adult, she was pulled over by Border Patrol officers all because of her ancestry. Leslie Marmon Silko points out that there is no race, but human race and; hence, racism should not exist. Silko was raised in her hometown where racism did not exist at all; people judged others by behavior and not by skin color, religion or origin. Nevertheless, coming out of her hometown environment racism was evident. People’s interactions were driven by attending to skin color, creed, ancestry and other biases. Racism affects everyone in the United States from foreigners to natives, as presented by Leslie Marmon Silko’s feelings of pride, disappointment, sympathy and anger as she confronts racism in the United States.

    Read More

  • American History

    1024 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ause he mourns, he cannot fathom what he has really done. The viewer sees that Derek followed Sweeney's advice and guidance and changed his brother for the better. Whether it is positive or negative, anyone important in a child's eyes can dramatically impact how they will act, think, or believe. The teens from American History X were all looking for something to hold on to and to be a part of? It is hard to see Derek, Danny and all the others fall for the lies and propaganda set forth by the adults. It's hard to see peers pressure their gang mates into believing something so strongly that they'd rather kill a traitor than forgive a friend. It's hard to see all the hate, anguish, and pain in the film. Surprisingly, there is a silver lining, giving us hope that one positive influence in the lives of children can be enough to turn them from racism and to a better life.

    Read More

  • Mental Health Stigma and the Healthcare System

    2062 Words  | 5 Pages

    Jr., Bernard E. Whitley and Mary E. Kite. The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination. Belmont: Cengage Learning, 2010. Web.

    Read More

  • racism and prejudice

    1511 Words  | 4 Pages

    Racism and prejudice has been present in almost every civilization and society throughout history. Even though the world has progressed greatly in the last couple of decades, both socially and technologically, racism, hatred and prejudice still exists today, deeply embedded in old-fashioned, narrow-minded traditions and values.

    Read More

  • American History X

    2187 Words  | 5 Pages

    American History X (1998) illustrates how segregation is aggravated by missing father figures as well as the herd mentality of the characters in the film. German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of the herd mentality states that people need a concept or a worldview to adopt in order to give meaning to their lives. This herding of people who choose to adopt this certain ideal or ideals in effect causes the stifling of individual thoughts or creativity because everyone chooses to think a certain way (Floyd). This mindset that people are attracted to is not always chosen or forced but is rather seen as an obligation because of loyalties certain people have to others.

    Read More

  • Intercultural Creativity In The Movie 'Crash'

    587 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the movie, Crash, it shows a portrayal of community conflicts and tensions between the different ethnicities. In this paper, I will demonstrate how the concept intercultural sensitivity plays a major role in the movie, and will highlight examples of prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping. I will also identify illustrations of institutionalized and internalized racism. Lastly, I will also give examples of assimilation and scare resources. `The movie crash explores the idea of hidden racism and prejudices in society that not all people realize is present.

    Read More

  • American History X: Film Noir

    254 Words  | 1 Pages

    A conscious nod to nuances of the “noir” theme in American History X was the use of flashbacks as a way to narrate the story. Film Noir is genre of film marked by a mood of pessimism, fatalism, and menace. Flashbacks show scenes of previous events that occurred before the story begins and help fill out the characters background. It lends the audience a better idea of what is happening in the present along with the film's message. Flashbacks are used in narrative strategy in film noir, contributing to exploration of truth and falsehood in the genre. In the film, this theme was used to narrate most of the story. To start the film, the first flashback revolved around Derek killing two black men who were trying to break into his car at his house.

    Read More

  • Racism : The Human Race And That We Are All Members Of It

    1577 Words  | 4 Pages

    “I hope that people will finally come to realize that there is only one race, the human race and that we are all members of it.” (Margaret Atwood) Since the beginning of the US history until now, racism has been a problem in the United States. Even though there have been emblematic struggles, it has not ceased to be something present in society. Racism has been very influential in society. For many years, it determined whether a person could be part of a specific group.

    Read More

More about American History X

Open Document