American History X

This powerful movie from 1998 stars Edward Norton, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Derek Vinyard. In this movie, Vinyard is a character who is second in command for a neo-Nazi gang. His hatred for all things non-white consumes his whole life as he and other gang members commit acts against other racial groups. Vinyard takes his hate to a new level when he murders two African-American males who were trying to steal his truck. Vinyard ends up in jail where he joins an Aryan Brotherhood. After disagreeing with their ways, he turns his back against the group that was meant to support him which results in them sodomizing him in the shower. This turning point leads Vinyard to change his racist ways. After returning from jail, he tries to get his younger brother, Danny, away from the same path he had been on so he shares his story.

This movie should have won an Academy Award for its realistic depiction of racist supremacy groups. Derek showed that it is possible to have a complete turn around from a lifestyle that led him to jail. Norton's acting skills were remarkable and made you truly believe all that was being said and done within the movie. It is one of those movies you can see several times and still get the same reaction from watching it. This movie has been used in several college courses and has generated many conversations about the existence of racist groups. It is definitely worth seeing at least once.