Racism: What It Is and How to Deal with It - Uned

A Guide to Talking about Racism | 64
Film Forum II
The film American History X is a good resource for dealing with the issue of juvenile
bands associated with racist activities. The questions and reflections that we
indicate are taken from the proposal presented on
http://www.edualter.org/material/intcine/indexe.htm:
- Comment on this quote by David McKenna, screenwriter of the film: "I
wanted to write something about the merchants of hate. What I tried to
underline in the script is that people are not born racists. This feeling is
acquired through the environment and the people who surround us. What
intrigued me is why people hate and how we can change so much."
- How does the film explain the way the main character acquires his
racism? How is Derek’s hate transmitted? What do you think of that?
- The director of the school where Danny goes proposes a solution to the
conflict. What is it? What is your opinion about it? How would you
describe his attitude?
- Derek changes in prison. How? What is the process that tranforms him?
Who and what intervene in this process? What does he learn?
- How would you characterize the Vinyard family? What adjectives would
you use to define each member?
- The skinhead phenomenon is relatively recent and exists currently. Look
for news items about this subject in the different communications media.
- Where do you think the ideological inspiration for Nazism comes from?
What specific values and principles do you think such a violent and
intolerant way of thinking responds to?
- Recall the end of the film. Taking stock of what happens in the film from
beginning to end, what conclusion do you reach? Do you think that any
conclusion can be established? What do you think the director wants to
explain to us with this story?