{"id":276,"date":"2023-07-31T10:31:26","date_gmt":"2023-07-31T10:31:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/universalflyonthewall.com\/?p=276"},"modified":"2023-07-31T10:31:29","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T10:31:29","slug":"american-history-x-turning-hatred-into-happiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/universalflyonthewall.com\/?p=276","title":{"rendered":"American History X – Turning Hatred into Happiness"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This summer I watched an old movie released in 1998 titled American History X<\/em>. The film depicts actor Edward Norton as a man named Derek Vinyard, a bigoted white supremacist who allows anger and hatred to consume and define him. However, these traits are a result of trauma, we see that throughout his life, his father constantly lectures Derek on African Americans and his belief that the media and liberals show reckless concern over \u201cblacktion\u201d in the United States. Later, when Derek\u2019s father is killed in the line of duty by someone described as an African American \u201cdruggy\u201d Derek becomes an emotional trainwreck. An older manipulative racist man named Cameron preys on an emotional Derek to strengthen a rising organized crime group in Los Angeles. Derek Vinyard, a straight-A student with incredible potential, ultimately chooses the wrong path as he chooses to surround himself with people who only tell him what he wants to hear, and he distances himself from those who want to help him. Derek\u2019s actions land him in prison after he commits murder in a brutal form fuelled by rage. Derek is sentenced to three years in prison as he is charged with involuntary manslaughter, the only one who saw what he did was his younger brother, Danny, who didn\u2019t testify. Derek sees the error of his ways in prison, and by the time he is released, he is determined to improve himself as a person, while also seeing the influence he had on Danny and the crime gang, and how there are still ongoing consequences for his actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I found this movie\u2019s message \u201chate is baggage\u201d to be the most important and meaningful part of the film. Hate is an emotional reaction that stems from confusion and fear. We see how Derek\u2019s upbringing, and later, tragic events that play out in his life, led Derek down this horrible path of sorrow. While watching this movie, I realized that hate is something that can be found everywhere, life, society, and historically. In fact, I saw Derek in myself, so determined to be angry, refusing to smile, clinging onto traumatic and displeasing events in my life. However, similar to Derek, I never showed any of that, there were times I chose anger in response to my problems, I made so many mistakes, lost respect from those around me, when on the inside, I was just confused and afraid.\u00a0 One day I realized this truth the hard way, and since then I\u2019ve worked on changing. However, there were consequences I brought on myself that I knew I had to correct. I know that there are people reading this who may be going through something similar, and if you are, I hope this little anecdote inspired you. I also encourage you, the audience, to see the movie for yourself, it\u2019s a rough watch but its deep and undercovering message reveals, what I believe, the hardest part of being human.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Unfortunately, many people suffer financially, and some are filled with prejudice in their upbringing. So when they find themselves in a state of confusion, it\u2019s logical that the legacy of racism is the unfortunate path they follow. White supremacy itself started because a group of poor white \u201chillbillies\u201d were filled with envy and irritation towards those that they believed should fall lower in the newly emerging American class hierarchy. In response, they chose to look down upon the only group of people in America who they had leverage over, African American slaves. This mindset of white supremacy has been passed down generation after generation to the point that now, its echoing voice will forever haunt African Americans, its oppression can be documented in many forms such as lynching, segregation, and injustices towards fellow Americans, and even more importantly, humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The movie doesn\u2019t only show anger in white supremacy, but also in African Americans. For centuries, African Americans have faced racism and prejudice in America, from slavery, to segregation, and civil rights violated. It\u2019s possible that African American participation in criminal gangs, and corresponding high crime rates in America, is an attempt by African Americans to voice their feeling of inequity. They feel they have faced prejudice for centuries, and indeed they have, even though they were born human just like the rest of us. However, despite facing discrimination, this should not justify these actions–everyone has the opportunity to take a step back and ask themselves fundamental questions such as, what are your goals are in life? and how can I work on becoming a better person? While guidance and wisdom could help you come to this realization, I think it’s something deep inside all of us, and while hard to confront, very necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hate is a toxic poison that we humans, have a very hard time responding to. We often choose the easy way and let it define us. However, I believe hate is something we can control. When life demands something from you, you have two choices, be angry or move on to the next day. Anger isn\u2019t something you can block out of your life either, it\u2019s natural for humans, but it is something that we must realize that we have leverage over with our minds. A good friend I made this year told me something very true, life is too cool. Why choose to be sad, angry, serious and hopeless about all your issues? Sure, it\u2019s natural to feel this way sometimes, but clinging onto these emotions for dear life and relying on them as a source of energy? It brings more issues upon yourself than you even realize, you will become vulnerable, and it only spreads to those around you. Sure there may be things out of your control such as the actions of other people, or your circumstances when growing up. Yes, it\u2019s easy to let your emotions control you, but what\u2019s not easy is taking a moment to realize how fortunate we are to wake up every day and still be alive. I challenge you to push through the pain and think this way. Life can get better by our choices, actions, and attitude. So if there\u2019s anything I want you to take away, always remember, life is awesome and beautiful.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This summer I watched an old movie released in 1998 titled American History X. The film depicts actor Edward Norton as a man named Derek Vinyard, a bigoted white supremacist who allows anger and hatred to consume and define him. 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