From Nazi to Humanist

Nazis have a nasty habit of being utterly blinded by rage, passion and a demagogue. Fueled by hate and raw emotion they act violently and ruthlessly. But what if an experience could change someone so completely that they would totally turn their back on their radical ideals. The film American History X attempts to answer that question.

Derek Vinyard is an intelligent, young Neo-Nazi who is sent to jail for killing two black gang members trying to steal his truck. During his time in jail he tries to connect with the other white supremacist factions also in captivity. He discover however that they consort with other races in drug deals and protection rackets. During this time he is paired with a black thief on his laundry shift. Over time he comes to recognize that life is not all about race and such blah, blah, blah. While this is all very good (and very interesting and well acted I might add) it is not particularly existential. That comes as Derek returns home. His younger brother Danny wants to be a badass Nazi just like Derek once was, however the changes that Derek went through in jail are unknown to young Danny. So when Derek returns he finds himself welcomed back like a hero all the while Danny is watching and dreaming. Derek's actions as the leader of a Neo-Nazi gang are returning to him. No matter what you do while you're away, you have to face up to it when you return. One cannot escape responsibility. Derek attempts to explain to his soft minded brother about jail and why he is no longer a violent racist, why he is leaving everything behind. Danny listens with impressionable ears and decides he doesn't want to be a Nazi anymore. However, the day before Danny had ventured into the bathroom to smoke a cigarette and blew smoke in the face of a young black gang member. So now that Danny has changed, now that he has become a good, moral person he returns to school and uses the bathroom. As he is using the urinal, he is gunned down. Now actions have consequences, repercussions. No matter what you do outside of the bathroom, when you come back you have to face it. The existentialist end comes as Danny is killed by the black kid that he insulted the day before. He is killed because of a choice he made the day before even though he is now a morally altered young man. Sometimes existentialism is a bit disheartening.