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Racial Hatred In American History X

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From the moment we are born into this world, we are constantly learning new things. At a very young age, we begin to learn a language, colors, music and how to use our own two feet. Sooner or later we will become aware and learn that we may have a different ethnicity, religion, and culture to the people around us. Is it possible that we could learn how to hate? American History X carries a powerful message that reveals racism is a behavior that is learned and can be unlearned. American History X is a film about social issues we are all too familiar with including racism, stereotypes, discrimination, and inequality. This movie may be difficult to watch, as it includes many racial slurs but I believe it teaches a very important message and explores the roots of race hatred in America. The main character Derek, who is a leader of Neo-Nazi group, believes …show more content…

After being jumped and raped by a white supremacist group, everything he believed in was questioned. In the end, the only person that protected him was his black friend Lamont. The experience Derek had in prison forever changed his life and saved him. A very powerful moment is when Derek is sharing his experience with his younger brother Danny. Danny feels sorry and apologizes for what his brother had to go through. Derek would not accept sympathy, for he explains…
“I’m not. I’m lucky. I feel lucky because it’s wrong, Dan. It’s wrong and it was eating me up, it was going to kill me. And I kept asking myself all the time, how did I buy into this shit? It was because I was pissed off, and nothing I ever did took that feeling away. I killed two guys, Danny, I killed them. And it didn’t make me feel any different. It just got me more lost and I’m tired of being pissed off Danny. I’m just tired of it. “(American History X)
Although, Danny was confused he looked up to his brother enough to agree to make a change and create a better

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