Prejudices and Discrimination in American History X - Movie Review Example

Prejudices 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 propaganda, the two brothers conform to them and even join the Nazi group that holds similar ethnocentrism beliefs. This affirms and fuels the supremacist attitude, but unfortunately, it also leads to negative consequences in their lives. Derek murders an African-American and is imprisoned while Danny is killed by an African-American for his ethnic beliefs. This shows how prejudice and discrimination breed hatred and aggression, and even war towards each other. Despite these evils, we should learn to respect each other as friends.

Introduction

Prejudice refers to the negative attitudes that a person or a group of people might have towards others based on their memberships in a particular group, race, religion, or gender. Prejudice in a broad perspective involves emotions and beliefs that can culminate into hatred. On the other hand, discrimination is the negative actions and behaviors that a person might have towards members of a particular group. In the movie, American History X, conformity, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination are portrayed. Most of this behaviors and attitudes are held by those who belong to the majority or the dominant group against the minority who are most viewed in the light of externalities (Samuel, Ellen, Serge, & Denise, 2016). Mostly, this happens because of being afraid of the unfortunate group that is different from the majority. For instance, in American History X, the scene at the dinner table when Derek’s father states his opinion to his family that a certain minority group has taken their jobs. As a result, this opinion is transferred to the children and influences how they feel about that group. In this paper, the prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping will be analyzed in reference to American History X.

Analysis

The theme of prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination in American History X is well conveyed by the actions and attitudes of most of the main characters towards the minority groups and most specifically, the people of color. The main character in the movie is Derek Vinyard, and his white supremacist nature is highly influenced by his father views toward the people of color. The movie is full of terrible and dark scenes as well as violence, most of which is practiced by Derek based on propaganda. Derek’s father influenced Derek’s view of the black people since he was a kid by talking about the black communication in a negative view (American History X, 1998). As a result, Derek’s mind created a bad, negative image of the blacks in the United States. After a black addicted guy caused the death of his father, Derek hate for the black people became reaffirmed, and he became a member of the Neo-Nazi.

The Neo-Nazi members held an ethnocentrism thought against the black people as they came from different cultural origins. This helped to build their prejudice, racism, and discrimination against them. Ethnocentrism refers to the belief that one’s culture and values are superior to that of other people. This exemplifies the white supremacist belief of the Neo-Nazi led by Derek. For instance, a Neo-Nazi group fueled by heavy metal, tattoos, beer, and drugs is led by Derek to a supermarket in the town (American History X, 1998). According to the theory of them versus us, the distinct social categorization of groups of people in society is a major cause of prejudice as it gives rise to the division of people into out-groups and in-groups. The Neo-Nazi believes that they belong to the superior group from which the black people are excluded. This view of the blacks as a minority, inferior, and out-group by the likes of Derek, his father, and the Neo-Nazi is a major source of conflict in the movie between the two groups which is characterized by excessive discrimination, prejudice, hostility completion, and even war.

On the other hand, the violent scene at the basketball playing yard where a scuffle that escalated into a physical fight ensued between Derek and black guys over ownership of the yard shows that prejudice and discrimination in the movie was also fueled by the competition for resources. During the game, the white and the black people engage in numerous collisions and fights. This scene brings the viewer to the reality of life where disruptions are common among groups either the economic class, education, skin, and skin color. From the perspective of the realistic conflict theory, competition for the scarce economic resources such as political power, influence, land, and good jobs among various social groups can lead to discrimination and prejudices (Samuel et. al, 2016). Due to the supremacy attitude and superiority complex in Derek, he believes that he should own anything better than the blacks. This is the attitude that fuels his hatred for the blacks and even fights to claim ownership of the basketball playing yard. As competition for the scarce resources increased, so did hatred, discrimination, and prejudice towards the blacks increase.

The relationship between Derek and his brother Danny and their father shows that hatred, prejudice, and discrimination are learned attitudes. Most importantly Derek’s father who is portrayed as a passionately racist man plays a significant role in influencing the racial discrimination exhibited by his son (American History X, 1998). This is a prejudiced note and statement as the term monkeys is referring to the blacks. This discriminatory attitude towards the black people is prejudiced owing to what he has learned from his father. Derek thus believes that the police have no privilege or moral authority to let the black people in the street or society because they are criminals. As explained in the social learning theory, racist attitude, prejudice, and hatred are learned the same way as other attitudes (Samuel et. al, 2016). Derek has heard his father express hatred and prejudice towards the people of color and he has also learned the attitude.

According to Danny, “Hate is baggage. Life is too short to be pissed off all the time. It’s just not worth it.” (American History X, 1998). Based on Danny’s argument, prejudice, discrimination, and hatred are not necessary. This depicts that although Danny is younger that Derek, he holds an extremely different opinion about racism to Derek. However, it is unfortunate that he later follows his brother’s footsteps as he grows up witnessing prejudice, hatred, and racism which exemplifies the effect of the social learning theory in his life (Samuel et. al, 2016). Being raised in a society where racism and racial prejudices define every aspect of life, Danny is not immune to learn it and practice it, and he later sinks into the vice after learning it from his older brother, Derek.

Despite these occurrences, we learn that racial prejudice and discrimination are evil. Both Danny and Derek learn their lesson the wrong way. While Derek suffers the wrath of being a minority in jail when he is separated from his Neo-Nazi group for killing African-Americans who tried to break into his car, Danny is shot and killed by a black guy for his prejudicial views on his ethnic group. The cycle of prejudice depicted in the movie is, therefore, shown as evil, unnecessary, and one that needs to stop. It is a lesson from the movie that conformity to negative attitudes should stop and people should learn to respect everyone. Since we are all the same, we deserve equal and fair treatment. According to the principles of direct contact theory, increasing the interaction and contact with other social groups helps to reduce our prejudices, stereotypes, and discrimination (Samuel et. al, 2016). After he was jailed for murder, Derek interacts with people of color in prison, an experience that causes a transformation in his damaging prejudicial behavior and attitude towards the blacks.

An increase in racial prejudice and discrimination leads to aggression which is the act of practicing invasion and hostilities, launching invasions, and initiating destructive or hostile behavior. In the American History X, both the blacks and the whites portray aggression in their actions and behavior towards each other. For instance, an African-American breaking into Derek’s car is an act of aggression and a destructive act which only harms the relationship between the two groups. Derek retaliates by murdering this African-American and instead of being remorseful or regretting his actions, he feels good about it and even affords a smile for having done it. It is so clear from the film that aggression that is based on hate is evil and has regretful consequences. While the African American loses his life for it, Derek is imprisoned for it. Clearly, this aggression is caused by hate for other groups as a culmination of the negative attitudes and prejudicial beliefs towards them (Samuel et. al, 2016). When Derek goes to prison for murder, his tattoos confirms that he is a Nazi member. This attracts a lot of aggression as he is turned into a victim and a skinhead member rapes him brutally. However, these violent acts of aggression against the other group seem to have a gender aspect as most of the culprits and victims seem to have a bias towards males.

Summary

Despite the ugly events in American History X that portrays racial prejudices, discrimination, and stereotypes by characters, especially Derek’s family, it can be noted these altitudes also attract negative consequences. Mostly, these prejudices are based on beliefs that are not objective, but unfortunately, Danny loses his life for holding them. Similarly, Derek murders an African-American and is sent to prison for committing murder. His life in prison where he interacted with the people of color seems to be his turning point as he learns to appreciate others by not holding on to misguided prejudices. These experiences help him to understand that “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.” (American History X, 1998).