Deviant Behavior In American History X

"American History X" is the story of a man who is so focused on his hatred and white supremacist views that it is his own undoing as well as his family destruction. The film makes excellent use of a non-standard depiction of racism and racists to convey how evil and destructive this attitude really is. As Daniel, Derek's younger brother says at the end of the film: "hate is baggage, life's

Deviant behavior is an integral part of all healthy societies. Deviance also offers society members an opportunity to rededicate themselves to their social controls. Deviant behavior actually helps teach society's rules by providing illustrations of violation. Deviance might be functional to a group in that it causes the group's members to close ranks, prompts the group to organize to limit future deviance acts, helps clarify for the group what it really does believe in, and teaches normal behavior by providing examples of rule violation. Finally, in some situations, tolerance of deviant behavior acts to a safety valve and actually prevents more serious instances of nonconformity.

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

In any and every society, there is a level of deviance or crime, no matter how big or small. Deviance is when the norms of a society are disregarded, while crime is when there is a defiance of laws within a society. Individuals who are deviant tend to be nonconforming to the society in which they live, challenging social expectations and deviating from what is considered the norm. Meanwhile, crime is a form of deviance that also discards norms, but in a way that breaks the laws of a certain society or community. When looking at deviance and crime in a micro-level perspective, there are three different theories often used to analyze the reasoning for both in a society. These theories include the Differential Association Theory, the Control Theory and the Labeling Theory. In further dissecting these theories, one can gain a greater insight into the workings of society.

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,

The family that Walker portrays fits into a greater society, especially through the character of Dee, who is getting an education and has returned home. As a young African American woman she is ashamed of her past because she no longer identifies with the name her mother gave her, a name that was passed down from one generation to the next. When education is supposed to help you understand your history, it sometimes creates barriers between parents and children. In Dee’s case education separated her from her family and from who she was. Alice Walker utilizes Dee’s internal dilemma to capture a

In prison, Derek unhesitatingly realizes he is the minority. He finds comfort when he is taken in by another group of neo-Nazi’s. He begins to work with a black male who repeatedly tries to talk to Derek. After several failed attempts, Derek sees past his color and sees him for an actual human being. After playing one game of basketball

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

I began to notice a change in Derek during his incarceration. As time progressed he was introduced to a third person view in which he was able to see the reversed roles exhibited in Jail. He was not the glorified male he once believed he was accredited too. The first notice of change was within his first days, he realized he was surrounded with men that reflected the two men he had killed moreover, after his initiation into a Neo-Nazi gang within the Jail, he began to notice that everything within the inmates was transparent. Race flows fluidly through the Jail.(Derek is also paired with a Black male to do laundry duties). With this in mind, Derek frustrated and angry sought out retaliation against the Neo-Nazi's thus resulting in Derek succumbing

The character of Dee is a prime example of the issues of conformity. During the time that Dee began to reside in her new town, she became involved with the black nationalists. Dee unwillingness to to conform to white society led her to seek out those who shared the same background. She eventually becomes involved with the black nationalists. Her involvement with the black nationalists leads to her increased interest of African American culture and heritage. Although the black nationalists are heavily interested in African American culture and heritage, the ideals and practices do not seek out knowledge the correct way. The black nationalists do not respect matrilineal heritage. Matrilineal heritage is the……… This lack of respect for matrilineal

Three years later, everyone awaits Derek's return. His mother Doris who prays for his safety, his girlfriend Stacey who longs for his return, and most of all Danny who's desperate for his brother's love and guidance, yet is driven by his own increasing white supremacy hatred. Danny who idolizes Derek has stepped into his shoes. Following the crowd of the white supremacy group the DOC. Avery Brooks the high school principle who has helped Derek also tries to help Danny by telling him to write a paper on his brother in hope to make him see things in a different light.

In the 1998 film American History X, Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for brutally murdering two black men who were breaking into his truck. Through his Brother Danny’s narration of a paper he is writing, it is learned that Derek was the leader of a large Neo-Nazi group known as D.O.C., or Disciples of Christ, that committed many acts of racial crime throughout Los Angeles. During his time in prison Derek decides that hate is a waste of time after being violently raped by fellow white supremacists, and his only friend being a black man, who was only in prison for a misunderstanding. After getting out on parole, Derek learns that Danny is headed down the same racist path as him, and decided that he must put a stop to it. Throughout this film there are many examples of the five theories of deviance; Functional, Conflict, Labeling, Broken Windows, and Differential Association. From Derek’s initial exposure to racism, all the way to him deciding to change, all five theories are exemplified through Derek, Danny, their Father, Cameron, or the D.O.C. as a whole.

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

Deviance is described as being behaviour that is not part of the norms in your particular society. This can be different throughout the world because some cultures have very different norms (Stephens and Leach, 1998:17). Most deviant behaviour will attract disapproval from others in the society or punishment from authorities. There are many different types of deviance such as addiction, mental illness, alcoholism, criminality and homosexuality. Throughout this essay six types of theories will be discussed about how and why people are deviant. Four of these theories support the idea of deviance being biological and three support the idea of it being caused by your social construction. Also the essay will talk about the differences between

In the United States of America, societal deviance changes nearly on a daily basis. Depending on the current culture, deviance is modified to make societal heroes like celebrities, political figures, and sport players look less deviant and more like role models for the public. The change in what is considered “normal” is customarily a result of society in general. By using a reference group of people, individuals tend to identify with those who are in the lime light. Then when that role model does something appalling, the public becomes desensitized to this behavior and its abnormality and becomes less distinct thus adding to the change in social deviances.