American History X Essay

American History X Essay

The main characters in the movie American History X is the two brothers Derek and Danny Vinyard. When their father is killed by a colored drug dealer, Derek becomes an important person in the Nazi-organization D.O.C. But when two colored people are trying to steal his car he, driven by hate, kills them in cold blood. He goes to jail where he first seeks to other Nazis. But in jail he become friend with a colored man and loses his faith on the Nazism. When he get out of prison he discover that his brother, Danny, have followed him and become a Nazi. He is trying to get him and his brother out of the Nazi-organizations D.O.C.  But short after Danny is killed because of his former beliefs by a colored student in his school.

The whole movie is build around an essay Danny is given by the principal Sweeny. The essay is called American History X and he is supposed to write about how his brother Derek has affected his life. Danny's flashbacks are shown in black and white while the present day is shown in color. I think it´s a good way for us to understand the structure in the movie.

Derek is a normal teenager. But when his father is killed by a colored man his anger drives him to become a Nazi. But when he goes to jail he realize, with help from his former principal Sweeny, that nothing he have done have improved his or his family´s life in any way.

I think this movie describes how sick life can be today with all the violence and hate. This movie is about racism and hate and the fact that everyone needs a place where they feel like they belong. Derek and Danny find that place in D.O.C. But the movie is also about brotherhood and friendship and how it sometimes can save your life. Derek´s friend in prison probably saved his life. He help Derek realize that life is too short to be filled with hate. When Derek becomes rejected by everyone in prison he thinks his friend is the only reason why he isn´t killed. But when he comes out of prison he has the courage to leave D.O.C with his brother even if it means he risks his own life in the process.

I´ve seen this movie before but I still enjoyed it very much as entertainment. It´s also a very realistic movie and it make you realize how hate can consume you. The actors are very good and the dialog...