Hate Crimes In American History X

274 Words2 Pages
American History X tells the story of two brothers, Derek and Daniel Vineyard as they battle to discover truth within an increasingly diverse area in Venice Beach, Los Angeles. The eldest brother, Derek is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for killing two African American “thugs” who attempted to break into and steal his truck. We learn through Daniel’s narration that prior to going to prison Derek was a white supremacist, skinhead gang member that lead a number of violent racial crimes against other ethnicities within LA. Derek’s actions of hate crimes toward other ethnicities can be seen as a product of both his father’s views and an older Neo Nazi gang leader, Cameron, who took Derek under his wing after his father’s death. While