american history x

american history x

Analyzing the Impact of ‘American History X’ on Society and Culture

1. Introduction to the Film ‘American History X’

‘American History X’ film produces a family. Directed by Tony Kaye and produced by New Line Cinema, the 1998 movie starring Edward Norton and Edward Furlong tells the story of a reformed Nazi skinhead who, just released from jail for his inhumane and criminal crimes, tries to stop his younger brother from going down the same path he did. His transformation is the basis of the film, from hating black people to becoming close to one. The movie ends with a tragic event that changes everyone’s lives forever. In a society with so many racial and religious differences, this movie is an eye opener about hate groups and hate crimes. Tony Kaye, making his feature directorial debut, deftly showcases the hatred spawned by disjointed families, and the justifications for violence on both the Right and Left, with this powerfully thought-provoking and item reaction. America had seemed to have cured itself of slavery and racism, but quite contrary we are infected with these diseases worse than ever. These racial tensions are constantly increasing, even in this new millennium of technology and freedom. The only way to elute this hatred is through problem solving, and with that comes acceptance and forgiveness, two virtues that are needed by all races, religions and persons.

2. Exploring the Themes and Messages Portrayed in the Film

In today’s society, though, race relations are a common theme. In the past, race relations were always a very sensitive subject. “American History X” is a motion picture that deals with social and racial conflicts in America. The film portrays the life of a man named Derek who has recently been released from prison, where he spent three years for the involuntary manslaughter of two black men who tried to steal his truck. Through a series of flashbacks, it is revealed what events led Derek to grow to be filled with hatred for people who are not white and how they influenced his actions while growing up, when he becomes involved in a Neo-Nazi gang, and after he is arrested for a brutal murder and is stricken with regret after spending time with black people while in jail. Throughout the film, the viewer can see that Derek has learned many lessons about racism and regret, and finally has become a loving person who is happy with his life.

Audience: Academic audience, college-level students (in the following areas of study – social work, sociology, psychology, public health, gender, and women’s studies, American studies – especially those exploring media and film). The essay can also be expanded to a general audience, who have an interest in race relations and history.

3. The Influence of ‘American History X’ on Public Discourse and Awareness

The actual impact of the formal release of American History X is indeed a remarkable tale. Whereas in the past, discussion around racism was largely held behind closed doors in small academic and socio-political circles, the support and release of American History X by Pro-Vie Zus Entertainment, a medium-sized company in the United States, effectively opened up a wider public spectacle and has allowed society to openly view and discuss the ideas and resultant ideologies of hate. This had the effect of not only bringing these scholastic and academic notions into the society in which they attempted to document, but it also functioned to reflect and amplify back into the public realm what is meant by these ideas and the histories.

After having given a synopsis of the film and having analyzed the ideological beliefs that lay behind the making of the film, it is possible to turn now to how the feature film has had an enormous impact on both the scholarly conversations around the topics of racism and bigotry, as well as on social and cultural conversations in the wider public. It is not difficult to see the assumptions that some of the positive and negative dialogue that has taken place in recent years with respect to the ideas explored in American History X have originated with the content and presentation of the film. Perhaps this is one of its most important functions, to bridge the gap between alienated youth and the serious documentation of America’s secret history and hidden hate.

4. Examining the Film’s Reception and Controversies

Another controversial element in the film is its ending. In the climax, Derek is shot and killed by a young black student. People, including me, argue about how our protagonist, Derek Vinyard, could have a different type of ending that would better reflect his journey, maturity, growth, and redemption. But Kaye, the director of the film, who, after being worried about losing control over the movie during the production process, wanted to remove his name from the list of directors of the film. Contrary to the ‘happy ending’ argument by the rest of the crew, he accepted the ending suggested by the scriptwriter Paul Haggis and refused to listen to anyone.

In this section, we will explore the reception and controversies surrounding ‘American History X’. As I mentioned in the introduction, somehow the film did not achieve remarkable figures at the box office. It was reported that the film only made $6,719,864 in the United States and $24,378 in Germany. That was all. But there is no doubt that the film made quite a lot of noise and caught the attention of the audience with its subject, themes, acting performances, relevant dialogue, decent use of black and white in flashback scenes, and directing.

5. Conclusion: Reflections on the Lasting Legacy of ‘American History X’

American History X is a potential ally for educators and a masterful tool to help break down racial bias. A work of art that hits hard and pushes its viewers past the point of comfort to one of empathy, it provides the ideal vamp to facilitate constructive conversation with a positive effect on pupils. Presenting such works in an appropriate manner can actually make a difference. It is also a punctilious warning about the noxious reversion of society into the terrible habits of the past. After all, it may not be possible to access the soul of the colorless man or woman of tomorrow, yet it is bound to be haunted by the transgressions of our times – and a film like this. Instead, we must teach our children the history and consequences of racism; we must practice acceptance, and we should humble ourselves before the values of other people. This represents a great deal more than just the correct path to some utopian societal dream. For the good of humanity and individual souls, the challenge we face on this front is moral as much as it is practical.

It is impossible to reflect on American History X, its impact on society and culture, or the narrative it tells without forming an understanding of the fact that we are, to this day, an inherently racist society, inoculated with bigotry and hatred that is ever so often nurtured by politicians and media outlets. Ignorance thrives on the absence of knowledge, the lack of understanding, and the inability to put oneself in the shoes of another. Refraining to engender conversations, develop compassion, and being incapable of imagining the life of another only relegates them to a state of ‘the other’ and makes it easier to loathe whom we find uncomfortable.