American History X began with Derek’s violent confrontation with three black gangsters. When three black people tried to steal Derek's truck, he ran outside and opened fire on them, killing one of them, and curb stomped another. He was sentenced to three years for involuntary manslaughter. In the prison, he joined the Aryan Brotherhood, which is a white group. After about a year, he became disillusioned and unhappy with the gang, especially about the group's trade with a black prisoner. His oppositions were rejected by the other white supremacists. Derek also developed friendship with his black prison inmate Lamont. The Neo-Nazi prisoners, on the other hand, were very upset that Derek had crossed the racial boundary. Later on they cornered him in the shower, smashed his face against the wall, and then he was beaten up. He was so angry and disappointed at his former white friends. When in the prison,He was confused. In this point, Derek was being naive and idealized. He thought there was only hatred between the white and the black. But actually they can coexist despite their different culture. They can trade with each other and make mutual benefit. During his recovery from this attack in the hospital, his former black teacher came to visit him. This conversation impressed Derek a lot. He was aware of his wrongdoing in the past and separated himself from the white extremists group since then. So finally he left the prison a totally different man without his previous racial views. After the release, Derek just wanted to be a ordinary person and he never wanted to get himself involved in the conflicts. But his little brother Danny was disappointed at Derek’s change and then he joined the Neo- Nazi gang’s party. Derek tried to protect Danny, and he talked Danny out of it. Ironically, the ending of the movie was a tragedy. Danny was shot dead in the chest by two black students in the school. When Derek was on the scene, what he saw was his brother’s dead body. He was very grieved, cuddling Danny in his arm and cried. The ending of the movie is very open. Viewers can think about it deeply and be aware of the problem of racial discrimination. This is the value of American History X. The great part is that people can have their own thoughts and realized the severity. Another enlightenment is Derek’s life. His changing attitude casts light on the process of racial discrimination. It takes time and efforts to accomplish it. People may struggle when they try to find their way, but it is absolutely worthwhile. In the movie, the director indicates that environment where people live is crucial in forming one’s racial ideas. For example, Derek was affected by his father’s words and later on his teacher’s. Each changed his life completely. Another vivid example is that Danny admired his brother’s behaviors very much and tried to imitate him.
In a word, people see hope and uncertainty in this movie. Whether racial discrimination will be eliminated depends on people’s measures and determination.
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