Derek And Danny example essay topic

"American History X"Derek & Danny's Turning Point Many factors contribute to decisions we make, often life changing decisions, like we see in "American History X" with brothers Danny and Derek. Both are active skinheads in Venice California, under command of Cameron Alexander a Neo-Nazi leader. Derek and Danny were not raised as racist, but when their father was killed by a black gang member, their views changed. Derek's turning point for the better was during his time in jail.

His brother is headed in the same direction, but Derek was a major influence in his racist deprogramming. Derek is the oldest of four children, his father was killed in a drive by, by a black gang member. This along with the persuasion of Cameron Alexander, Derek and his younger brother became hardcore skinheads. It took a lot of time, but Derek's unfortunate experiences changed his racial views.

The first we see this, is during the scene where he is released from prison. After his departure from jail, his old principal, Dr. Bob Sweeny, calls him and expresses his concern about the Hitler essay Danny wrote. Derek shares the principals concern and lectures Danny about what he has written, indicating that he has changed his views. Now that we realize he has had second thoughts, Derek warns Danny not to attend Cameron's skinhead party, despite his word, Danny goes. Derek goes to the party to find Cameron, and tell him he is done, "I am done with all that bullshit out there and all of your bullshit. I'm out".

Cameron promises to kill Derek and Derek proceeds to beat him senseless. Danny refuses to go back with Derek, so he rushes out of there, after the other skinheads hear what he has done to Cameron. After the party, Danny catches up with Derek, and Derek explains what has caused him to reconsider his racist views. This is a crucial turning point, as we start to see his life in prison.

While in jail, Derek becomes friends with the Neo-Nazi prisoners, but soon became disillusioned because of the inter-racial activities between his friends and the black inmates. Despite the racial hostility, the white prisoners bought drugs from the Hispanics. A large part of Derek's rehabilitation comes when he bonds with a black inmate Lamont, another prisoner he works with. Lamont gives Derek helpful and friendly advice about how to behave in prison. Derek is ignorant at first, but comes to have a strong relationship with Lamont. At this point, Derek is being transformed from a once active racist, to a non prejudice.

Derek starts playing basketball with the black inmates, the skinheads think they are being betrayed, causing friction between them. Because of this, Derek is beat and raped in the shower, the guards just turned their heads. When Derek awoke in the prison hospital Dr. Sweeny is at his side. We now learn that Sweeny has been working with Derek in jail, which had an influence on him. Derek and Lamont's friendship strengthens, and an interesting conversation occurs, Derek is shocked to discover that Lamont is in prison for six years for stealing a T.V. and allowing it to fall on a police officers foot. While Derek is in there for a mere three years for killing two blacks in a racially motivated murder.

Derek now realizes how unfair white society is towards blacks. It seems that Dr. Sweeny has helped Derek qualify for parole early, upon his release, Derek thanks Lamont for everything, telling him he owes him for getting out in one piece. Lamont replies, "Man, you don't owe me shit."You take it easy on the brothers, the Brothers". The conversation between Danny and Derek continues, "I'm lucky. I feel lucky Dan, because it was wrong. It was eating me up.

It was going to kill me. I kept asking myself, How did I buy into this shit? It's because I was so pissed off". Derek's encouragement has an effect on his younger brother Danny, to reconsider his views. This quote is a foreshadow of Danny's future.

Danny's racist views are changed around as a result of his older brothers. Derek was presumably the one to bring him into the skinhead movement, and I believe he is the only one who could have an influence on him, and help him get back to reality. Right before Derek's release from prison, he is sown walking home from school, and pondering about the rapidly changing Venice, California, and how he clearly doesn't like it. His neighborhood, once predominately white, is now multiracial. This perhaps is setting up for upcoming events.

Danny is asked to re-write an essay he was assigned about a civil rights leader. Dr. Sweeny convinces Derek to talk to Danny, as he is concerned Danny is headed in the same direction as Derek. Dan is asked to analyze the events surrounding Derek's incarceration. As Danny sits down to write his paper, his first recollection is of the ambush on the Korean owned grocery store.

Then skips over to the dinner with his Jewish teacher Murray, this is a flashback of when Derek acts out and has an argument with Murray, forcing him to leave. After attending the skinhead party, despite Derek's orders, Danny meets back up with Derek. This is a key turning point in Danny's rehabilitation. Derek informs Danny of all the things that has happened to him while in jail. In the overall scheme, Derek has a powerful influence on Danny, as an older brother. He realizes while he is writing his paper, that "life is too short to be pissed off all the time".

Derek and Danny are seen, in an emotional scene, removing all the Nazi paraphernalia from their room. This proves his racial views have changed, for the better, it also foreshadows his death. It is ironic that at the end of the story Danny is shot dead in the bathroom, the same one he had a confrontation with earlier. Derek runs in and holds his head, and says "What did I do? God, what did I do?" This is powerful, in the sense that he feels responsible for the death of his brother, after they had changed their racist views towards blacks.

The movie ends, with a powerful quote from Danny's essay, although he is dead. "Hate is baggage. Life's too short to be pissed off all the time. It's just not worth it. We are not enemies, but friends".

We must not be enemies, though passion may have strength, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic cores of memory will swell and again touch as surely they will be by the better angels of our nature". In conclusion, I believe that the movie is teaching anti-racism, as seen in the turning point of Derek and Danny Vineyard. Although the movie has shocking scenes, it is the harsh reality of what is really happening in America. The characters were very strong, and had distinct personalities.

You can debate whether this is a pro-white movie, or anti-white movie, but I believe that it shows both sides, and you gain what you want from it..