Abstract
This paper discusses the film, "American History X", in terms of culture and the images it presents to society. The paper focuses on the transformation of the main character from a skinhead to someone who rejects both racism and violence.

From the Paper
"American History X" depicts the several transformations of Derek Vinyard, a Neo-Nazi skinhead whose life is depicted in a series of flashbacks. Shreve Vinyard is a young man who is introduced as a serious student with no racial prejudices and who becomes a radical skinhead after the murder of his fireman father by African-Americans during a fire in a crack house. In prison Vinyard is befriended by a Black inmate..."

Tags:American History X, film, culture

Abstract
This paper discusses how impression formation theory is linked with the implicit personality theory and applies these theories to the main character, Derek, in the film "American History X". The paper looks at how stereotypes lead to a never ending circle of hate and violence between blacks and whites in the movie and how it is not until Derek lets go of his inaccurate stereotypes that he is able to interact with other races and accept them.

From the Paper
"The film is about a white family who grew up in Venice beach. The two main characters are brothers, the oldest Derek and Danny. They're racist beliefs were instilled all their life by their father until he is killed on the job, fighting a fire, by black drug dealers. This flames their hatred for black people. They were also tired of getting beat up by minorities so they form their own gang to protect themselves and commit hate crimes. One night Derek discovers his truck being broken into by three black people who were mad at Derek. He murders three of them and is sentenced to prison for five years. In prison he becomes the minority and soon befriends other white supremacists in jail. He is then betrayed by his own race and is then left with no protection. He is then visited by his old English teacher, who is black, the teacher helps Derek realize that hatred has not helped him, his family or the situation at hand. "

Tags:stereotypes, Derek

Abstract
This paper provides a review of the 1998 film "American History X," directed by Tony Kaye. The paper offers an in-depth examination of this film in light of the theories of multicultural counseling, noting that although none of the characters received formal therapy throughout the film, both Derek and Danny Vinyard, the film's two central characters, formed mentor-like relationships with each other and with a member of the other race. The paper concludes that this valuable film shows the plights of several different ethnic groups, suggests how racism is formed, and also shows how it can be overcome; in addition, it allows the clinical worker to see the spectrum of racial ideas that might be presented by a client, and can help counselors identify how differences in worldview affect communication.

Outline:

Summary and Analysis of the Film as a Whole
Character Analysis
Personal Impact
References

From the Paper
"Because of the tremendous amounts of racism, discrimination, and privilege that can be viewed in this film, it is easy to see how the issues espoused on camera can affect the world of multicultural counseling. For instance, the film as a whole allows the viewer to see the interplay between different ethnic and racial groups, and the barriers that divide them. This allows counselors to understand that certain barriers may exist between them and their patients. Sue and Sue (2008) state that, "while you were not born wanting to be racist of sexist, your cultural conditioning has imbued certain biases and prejudices in you. Furthermore, the film as a whole allows counselors to see the different challenges that they may be faced with in the field. Although the climate in this part of California may be more racially charged than in some areas, it may look strikingly like other cities. Regardless, the abundance of different racial and ethnic groups living together in this film allows counselors to see how each has a shared set of concerns, as well as an individual identity. This can serve as a warning to counselors who may be prone to using racial and culturally developed models. Counselors should use this film to understand that, while these models may be the best way to approach the situation, they need to refrain from responding "to the culturally diverse client in a very stereotypic manner and [failing] to recognize within-group or individual differences (Sue and Sue 2008, p.235). Thus, as a whole, this movie provides a cosmopolitan view of society in which many races are represented. It accurately portrays the interlocking ideas of prejudice, privilege, and discrimination. In addition, its portrait of this type of society offers many useful hints to counselors of the multiculturally diverse."

Tags:racism, prison, segregation, gangs, jail, incarceration

Abstract
In this article, the writer maintains that while 'American History X' tries to be a movie about ultimately overcoming racism, it fails in this task.
The writer looks at the unstated contrast between the white characters and the black characters in the film and discusses that throughout this movie, the various groups interact in ways that reflect confrontation and eventually violence rather than cooperation. The writer also discusses that the implicit message in this film is that whites have made huge sacrifices on issues of civil rights. The writer notes that according to the film, the whites are the ones who have gone through the transformation, so they are now the ones suffering from discrimination.

From the Paper
"Throughout this movie, the various groups interact in ways that reflect confrontation and eventually violence rather than cooperation. In one of the critical scene, a flashback, three black youths try to break into Derek's car. Alerted by little brother Danny, Derek rushes out to his car and shoots two of the three youths. This is his murder scene, and he clearly enjoys the power of life and death over the black youths."
"This movie tries to be a story about the dangers of white supremacy, but in many ways it is almost literally the opposite of that. It contains many white supremacist messages and a great deal of problematic imagery and material. While the filmmakers may not have intended that it be read in this way, they may have inadvertently perpetuated many of the very stereotypes that they claim to have wanted to challenge. This is often a problem of insidious rather than overt racism."

Tags:blacks, skinhead, discrimination, whites

Abstract
This paper will discuss the movie "American History X" in the sociological medium of the Conflict Theory and it implications. The movie is based on the racism that is inherent in every sociological mode and will studied within the scope of this model to truly tell its implications in a conflict. The struggles of the central character will reveal to us the nature of his beliefs and the source of conflict that drives them within the film.

Abstract
This paper answers several questions, including what makes "American History X" such a special film, why it is thought-provoking, how it can change audience perspectives on the subject it addresses, and what lessons can be learned from the points made.

From the Paper
"Most people view movies as a source of entertainment - something to watch for a few hours to get away from the world. They make us laugh, cry, or feel in some way that we usually do not. There are, however, a few films that strike deeper into the human psyche that the run of the mill flick. Usually these films have a point to make about life in general, and allow us to step outside ourselves for a moment and see the world in a different way. These are the ones that stick, the ones that leave us with a feeling as we walk away or turn off the television, and maybe in some small way change how we think about things. One such movie that leaves an impact is American History X starring Edward Norton. "

Tags:analysis, english, issues, life, movie, nazi, norton, perspective, social, society

Abstract
This paper discusses the intricacies of American History X and critiques the film.

Abstract
This paper discusses the plot of the film, and then considers the interactions of the various groups. The paper relates that the film is ostensibly a warning on the problems of neo-Nazi skinheads, a violent subculture in America. The paper outlines how the film uses a skinhead who served three years for the murder of two blacks but dropped his racism in prison.

From the Paper
"While "American History X" tries to be a movie about ultimately overcoming racism, it fails in this task. In this movie, Derek Vineyard is a one-time racist skinhead who has seen the error of his ways. The older son of a fireman father who was murdered while trying to fight a blaze at a crack house, Derek was raised in an atmosphere of racism and xenophobia. In black-and-white flashbacks, Derek is shown as a killer gloating in the blood lust of viciously murdering a young black who had tried to break into his car. After serving a remarkably short prison term (three years for a homicide?), the reformed..."

Tags:racism, film, interaction

From the Paper
"Racial slurs, discrimination, and hate crimes are all detriments to society. They represent an unbalance of power and well being. These examples of detriments all come from an identity formation. In this sense, identity formation is the process in which an individual learns his/her behaviors, ideas and thought process through influential examples. People are discontent to communicate with or be surrounded by people other than their own race. This isn't new and recent; it has been practiced for thousands of years."

Tags:movie, racism

Abstract
In this paper, the film, "American History X", is analyzed to provide a clear perspective on the formation of biased ideas. Covering different manifestations of political socialization, the concept of resocialization and the behavior associated with these characters, one can see how people can be driven to these beliefs. Comparisons with several sociological texts on indoctrination and resocialization are provided.

From the Paper
"Cameron Alexander could be considered the major persuasive element in American History X. He does a good job of being a "credible communicator", which according to Myers "is someone the audience perceives as credible and trustworthy" (Myers 2004, pg. 164). Cameron is a middle-aged propagandist who seeks to recruit Caucasians disillusioned by how other races are supposedly taking over America and adopts them into his "family", which makes it easy for Derek and Danny to look upon him as a father figure."

Tags:kkk, nazi, Klan, skinhead