American History X Labeling Theory

American History X is a film about two brotherS and how their lives drastically changed when their father was murdered. The movie is about discrimination and racism. Derek Vineyard, was the main character in the movie, who then turned into a racist when his father died "in the line of duty" by a minority and when Derek killed two African American men who were trying to rob him. Prior to Derek going to prison, he already had his mind set that blacks were bad people and that the white race was superior.

While Derek was in prison, he realized that there are good and bad people in every race. In order to prevent his brother, Danny, from making the same mistakes, Derek told him to have an open mind and forget all things that they were taught when they were part of the Neo-Nazi group. This film presents two theories: differential association and labeling theory.

Differential association is a learning theory that focuses on how people learn to commit crime. Associating with antisocial peers is a major cause of crime. In the movie, differential association was depicted when Derek associated himself with the Neo-Nazi group; he began living a deviant lifestyle by destroying a grocery store that was owned by an immigrant from Korea.

Meanwhile, labeling theory is defined by self-identity and behavior of individuals may be determined or influenced by the terms used to describe or categorize them.

It is associated with the concepts of stereotyping. The part of the film that presents this theory is when Derek's father was killed by a minority and when he killed two black men that tried robbing him, which basically gave blacks the title or label of being criminals. In addition to labeling theory, racism was also portrayed heavily in the movie when; Danny was asked by Seth on who he hated and Danny replied "I hate anyone who isn't white Protestant. They are a burden to the white race." Also, their father already had planted the seed of racism on their

heads.

Eventually, Derek's views on racism changed; partly because of his experiences he had with blacks while he was in prison. He also realized that his deviant behavior was affecting his brother, Danny.

At the conclusion of the film, Derek's younger brother, Danny was killed while at school in the bathroom by an African American kid. His untimely death happened when both Danny and Derek were in the midst of changing their lives by turning away from racism, and discrimination.

It is very mind boggling on how society can be the reason for building walls of racism, hate and discrimination around its members. It was evident that both of the brothers lived in that type of society. In order for us to find the root of their actions, we should look at the society they were associated and at that time will find that their father is the one who instilled the seeds of racism and discrimination in them.
Lastly, their associations allowed their views on racism and prejudice to grow.