American History X

Throughout America’s history, there have always been issues between the white race and other races, mainly the black race. These problems in history have always and may always be questionable on whether they are right or wrong. Up until this very day, everyone seems to have their own opinion to this question; should the white race reign over America, the minorities, or should we all just live together in harmony. The truth of the matter is that not only does this affect social relationships, but also political affairs which affects where we stand now in this “United Nation”. Political campaigns get altered and misrepresented, because of this battle between races. The video that my friends and I chose to watch is titled “American History X”, which is based on the clash between the whites and blacks. Being only under ten years old, the video is a perfect example of how people, even after the Civil Rights Acts and the freeing of slaves, still think today. The video demonstrates how skinheads go up against the minorities attempting to spread the word of “white power” through riots and other violent acts. Although it may seem like this video has nothing to do with politics, it in fact ties in perfectly with it. It provides a brief explanation as in why we’ve never had a black president, and why there’s so much criticism dealing with the presidential candidate Barak Obama, et cetera.

Looking left to right, I see discrimination amongst us everywhere. Schools, shopping malls, and even at our jobs; it is truly unavoidable. Everyone has their own beliefs in which they are entitled to, but some people take it beyond the comfort zone. In American History X, I saw discrimination to its full potential with the brutal murder of three young black men by a skinhead protÐ"©gÐ"© (Derek Vinyard) merely over a stolen truck. The reason why I bring up the subject of people having their own different beliefs is because some people believe that we should not have a president that is not of white descendant. For example, all the disputes and discussions over Barak Obama seem to me to be a sign of discrimination against people who are of black descendants. No one seemed to have wanted him to run for election in the beginning, but now the tables have turned. In my opinion he is a great candidate for the presidency and should not be looked down upon just, because the color of his skin and nationality. Who are we to judge another person in such an immoral manner because of these traits they possess? No one has the right to do so and if they think they do, it shouldn’t be expressed by hate but rather kept within them. However, in the video an opinion similar to the one of Barak Obama is expressed that comes in conflict with what Hillary Clinton believes America should do. Danny Vinyard, Derek’s younger and only brother; stated in a video recording for the white supremacy “I hate the fact that it’s cool to be black these days. I hate this hip hop influence on white suburbia and […] MTV pigs telling us to get along. So save the rhetorical bull Hillary Clinton, because it ain’t gonna happen!” He’s going against her belief that whites, blacks and other races should get along and actually “unite” this country to make our status improve from where we currently stand.

Just like there is a race for the presidential election, something similar was happening in American History X. Instead of a race to be president, there was a race to be the most superior in Los Angeles; the most superior race that is. The white supremacy was rapidly spreading its word throughout the city, from one block to another. Books were written and videos taped to further enhance the rate in which “white power” was being spread. There were even riots through grocery and convenient stores to make sure it was properly spread. Those riots at the very moment reminded me of the debates that are always held on television when the presidential election starts to near because of how hostile the people can actually become to each other in the things they say. They’re also recorded and taped just like the videos and books the skinheads made for the white supremacy. In the video there were two main gangs that were in their race to superiority: the D.O.C. and the Crypts. Derek and Danny Vinyard belonged to the D.O.C. and the three young black men that were murdered in the beginning of the video by Derek, belonged