American History X: Analysis of Lighting and Color

The author of American history, uses many colors to symbolize things in the story. In this story, it uses colors such as gray, green, and flower colors (red, yellow, purple,) to symbolize the emotions throughout the story. Colors may not have too much meaning at first Justin glance, but if you go back and read it over, you may be able to pick up on something that you didn’t he first time.

Drawing the Color Line by Howard Zinn the second chapter from A People’s history of the United States. The authors writes this chapter to explain racism and how it started, “a continent were we can trace the coming of the first whites and the first blacks-might supply at least a few clues” he wants to use history to try to explain why it started. In this chapter Howard Zinn gives us an insight on Slavery and racism in the early 17th century of America. This chapter does not only tell us why slavery accrued but how it happened. The author Howard Zinn tells us how the Americans were simple prone to having slaves because of the circumstances they faced in the early 17th century. It was a period of starvation Howard

     Dee believes she is more cultured than her family. She may have more knowledge about different cultures and religions that she learned in school, but she does not know as much about the family heritage as she thinks she does. For example, when Dee changes her name to “Wangero Leewanika Kemanjo” she destroys important links to her heritage that she will never understand. Her mother tries to explain to her that her name is significant because it belonged to particular beloved ones. However, Dee seems to reject the names of her ancestors, yet she is eager to seize their handmade goods. When Dee realizes she is not going obtain possession of the quilts, she storms out of the house without saying a word. It is apparent that the only reason for her visit is to get the family heirlooms, not to see the house, her mother, or Maggie.

American History X is clearly a film dealing with the social topic of racism. The interesting thing about this film is the way in which the subject is presented. First of all, it is obvious that, though racism is always a difficult subject to deal with, American History X presents it without any reservations or dummying down. Second, the film's figurehead for racism, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), is not an unintelligent redneck racist as films often portray them, but is in fact well-spoken, charismatic and bright, although he clearly holds ideals that are terribly wrong. Finally, the film shows that it is not only the white, neo-nazi racists who are fools for being involved in this, but all those who hold hatred in

American History X is clearly a film dealing with racism. The interesting thing about this film is the way in which the subject is treated. First of all, it is obvious that, though racism is always a difficult subject to deal with, American History X presents it without any reservations or dumming down. Second, the film's figurehead for racism, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton), is not an unintelligent redneck racist as films often portray them, but is in fact well-spoken, charismatic and intelligent, although he clearly holds ideals that are terribly wrong. Finally, the film shows that it is not just the white, neo-nazi racists who are fools to be involved in this, but all racism is foolish. Through these methods, the film shows the viewer,

Walker uses irony, which results in conflict, to display that Dee has not grasped the true meaning of heritage. Dee had so badly

What does the increase of individuals who self-identify as multiracial mean for the color line as those who come from mixed-race grow up and have their own children? How will that affect racial categories? These questions are answered in article 11 titled Beyond Black and White: Remaking Race in America by Jennifer Lee and Frank D. Bean, in the book Rethinking the Color Line by Charles A. Gallagher.

The Colored Junior College was established to provide an opportunity for African-Americans to receive college training. The Junior College progressed so fast that by 1931, it became a member of the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and was approved by the Southern Association of Colleges. In the summer of 1934, the Houston School Board changed the junior college to a four-year college and the name to Houston College for Negroes. When the university opened its doors in September 1947, it had 2,300 students, two schools, one division and one college - the Law School, the Pharmacy School, the Vocational Division, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Responding to the changing times, in 1973, the 63rd Legislature designated Texas Southern University as a special purpose institution for urban programming. As a result, four more academic units were added - the College of Education, the School of Public Affairs, the School of Communications and the Weekend College.

Later, Daniel recalls when their mother invited the boy’s Jewish history teacher over for dinner. Things turned out of control with Derek’s sister stood up against her brother, saying that what he was doing was wrong and she didn’t agree. The argument turned violent so fast when Derek grabbed his sister’s hair and began to choke her. After an argument, Derek yelled at the teacher, and showed him his Swastika tattoo, affirming that it meant “not welcome.” Derek’s mom says Derek needs to move out by the morning. After everyone has fallen asleep, Daniel informs Derek that two black guys are breaking into his car. It is this night that Derek murders the two black guys and gets arrested shortly after pulling the trigger. Derek killed one by a terrible act known as curbing, even after the death of the two, his facial expression showed no remorse.

At first the murder of their father by a black man appeared to be the catalyst of hate towards blacks for the boys but once Danny .began to analyze his life he realized his father was actually responsible for the indoctrination into a life filled with hate, resentment and conflict towards all minorities. He recalls a conversation that took place during dinner between Derek and his father; Derek is praising the academics and teaching approach used by his new black history teacher; Mr. Sweeney. His father begins to use derisive labels to discredit the achievements of his teacher. His father is actually nurturing racism into

This is seen through the way in which the coloured people are treated by those still in black and white. Characters remain in black and white because they do not accept the coming of the new and hold onto past ideologies. This conveys the message that race equality is good and something that needed to happen. This is demonstrated in the scene in which David saves Betty from being harassed by black and white people for being coloured (01:28:40 – 01:29:53, figure 6). David then turns into colour symbolising the acceptance of other races as he defended the coloured person (figure 7). This is also seen in a sign in a shop window saying ‘no coloureds’ (01:26:56, figure 8). New laws are even put into place to segregate the coloured people from the black and white people, but also the new from the old such as art and literature. Eventually the whole town is in colour as are all of the characters, conveying the message that we are all the same and we all need change or acceptance of something different or new to move forward in life. Another point to note that during the world of ‘Pleasantville’ there are only white American actors. This suggests that during 1950s America the people only expected to see white American actors on TV signally that other races where excluded from such things. All the people are in colour at the end of the film, whether or not the characters in 1990s America sees them in colour during the reruns is not mentioned but if so, this would suggests other races where eventually allowed over time to be television

In the film we see issues of race and racism as being a "white" problem, contrary to what we see in society as race and racism as being a "colored" problem. Victor and David Lee both make the statement that to be "American" is to be white. In society we usually see racism as individual acts of violence or discrimination towards others, but as David Lee points out, racism is an invisible system conferring unsought racial dominance by am oppressive group, mainly whites. "White power secures its dominance by seeming not to be anything in particular" (Lipsitz, 135). Victor says how he could get things his mother couldn't get just because his skin was a lighter black than hers. Lee then brings in a picture of Victor and his mother where the difference in skin color can be seen. Lee often brings in pictures of the participants of when they were young, and when they are with their families. This helps the viewers to draw more of identification with the characters.

While in prison, Derek begins to see things in a different way. While in jail he learns some hard truths about life from a fellow inmate and his old high school principal that takes special interest in him. Avery Brooks, the principle ask Derek a powerful question. "Has any thing you've done changed your life?" But, when Derek emerges with a desire to change his attitude, he finds that words are not enough.

Tony Kaye has used many film techniques to successfully express his purpose of each scene to us the audience. Another important film technique that Tony Kaye utilizes is Mise en scene as it is used to describe the design aspects of the film and allows us to analyze everything in one scene. One scene that perfectly fits these details is the memorable police scene when Derek surrenders to the police and gets taken into custody. We see Dereks tattoo and the signs at the back clearly in this scene. What to take into account from the scene is when the Cop coincidentally put his hand over Derek’s Swastika tattoo on his right breast while he is being arrested. A mid shot is used to show Derek's body waist upwards when he was surrendering from the

The brutal 1998 movie American History X, directed by Tony Kaye, follows former skinhead Derek Vinyard while he is trying to prevent his younger brother, Danny, from going down the same path Derek was led down. While leading a violent white supremacist cult and being a large part of many racial crimes throughout the L.A. area, Derek was sentenced to three years in prison for killing two black men who attempted to break into his truck. Throughout the three years, Derek learns that there are good and bad people in every race and becomes more open and friendly to those he believed he was superior to. After getting help in prison, Derek is released on parole and tries to cut ties with his old “brothers,” it is then that Derek realizes how much