Christopher Lewis American History X
My initial reaction when our instructor said, "There are images in this film that you won't forget..." was that it takes a lot more than some violence to create a permanent place in my memory banks for some radical image. I won't say that I am fully wrong, but the film as a whole fills me with a sense of dread. As depicted in American History X racism is a long deep pit with almost no way out. The main characters are moved to doing what they believe is right for all of society, or at least those that belong in society. But when they realize that their worlds are completely out of proportion it is too late too leave. Danny may day at the end of the film, but what happens to the rest of the family? Left with us to ponder the ramifications of one person on the rest of the family unit the only reasonable solution to their problem of violence would be to relocate. This movie is not just about racism and urban war in America, but also the future of those left for dead or have a price on their heads from certain anti-race groups. My last remark is about the scene where Derek stomps a man's face into the curb. This seems symbolic for the destruction of voice by an anti-minority group. The victor is the one who stands victorious of the cold and lifeless body, but is actual defeated by the picture and memory of the person, which speaks more than words.