Analysis of American History X
American History X Analysis
Jeffrey Golden
Eastern Nazarene College
“American History X” is a movie that depicts the life of a young white supremacist named Derek Vinyard and his younger brother Danny. Growing up in the suburban area of California, the boys are faced with many ethnic backgrounds and cultural differences. When their father, a fireman, is shot and killed by a black man Derek strives for white supremacy in his small area. Following the most infamous leader and supporter of white supremacy in southern California, Cameron, Derek creates a following of “Skin heads” that include his younger brother Danny. The story follows the life of both Derek and Danny as Danny examines the life events that have shaped his families life. Through “American History X”, the viewer is exposed to many social psychological principles including racism, aggression, violence, conformity/social influence, stereotyping, prejudice and conformation bias just to name a few. Most frequently I saw in many scenes conformation bias and stereotyping being implemented. Stereotyping is defined as a thought that may be adopted about specific types of individuals or certain ways of doing things, but that belief may or may not accurately reflect reality. Derek’s skin head beliefs are built off the sterotyping that he prescribes to anyone who is not a white protestant. One of the scenes in particular that can greatly depict the psychological principle of stereotyping is the scene in which Derek and his followers break into a convenient store that is run by several Asian- Americans. Before entering, we see that Derek and his neo-Nazi “followers” all seem to have a similar appearance. Each is dressed all in black with combat boots and a shaven head. Before entering, Derek gives them a brief motivational speech in which he states that the country is being taken over by immigrants who do nothing but infest and destroy their community. Derek believes that
Jeffrey Golden
Eastern Nazarene College
“American History X” is a movie that depicts the life of a young white supremacist named Derek Vinyard and his younger brother Danny. Growing up in the suburban area of California, the boys are faced with many ethnic backgrounds and cultural differences. When their father, a fireman, is shot and killed by a black man Derek strives for white supremacy in his small area. Following the most infamous leader and supporter of white supremacy in southern California, Cameron, Derek creates a following of “Skin heads” that include his younger brother Danny. The story follows the life of both Derek and Danny as Danny examines the life events that have shaped his families life. Through “American History X”, the viewer is exposed to many social psychological principles including racism, aggression, violence, conformity/social influence, stereotyping, prejudice and conformation bias just to name a few. Most frequently I saw in many scenes conformation bias and stereotyping being implemented. Stereotyping is defined as a thought that may be adopted about specific types of individuals or certain ways of doing things, but that belief may or may not accurately reflect reality. Derek’s skin head beliefs are built off the sterotyping that he prescribes to anyone who is not a white protestant. One of the scenes in particular that can greatly depict the psychological principle of stereotyping is the scene in which Derek and his followers break into a convenient store that is run by several Asian- Americans. Before entering, we see that Derek and his neo-Nazi “followers” all seem to have a similar appearance. Each is dressed all in black with combat boots and a shaven head. Before entering, Derek gives them a brief motivational speech in which he states that the country is being taken over by immigrants who do nothing but infest and destroy their community. Derek believes that