Many Americans think of racism as something of the past, something back when Abraham Lincoln was president. Actually, racism will remain an issue in this world until the sun stops shining and the sound of people's voices no longer linger in the air. Since the beginning of time, human beings have been staring each other down because of differences in the color of their skin; this is because of a constant power struggle that continues to circulate throughout the world. Everyone is constantly fighting to be better than their neighbor, and the color of ones skin is just another excuse to look down on them. Most importantly, American History X examines the affects of racism on relationships within a family.
             Danny and Derek Vinyard, two smart boys who came from a normal, loving home were first bitten by the racism bug at a fairly young age. Their father, a devoted fireman and husband, was the first to plant the seed in Derek's mind. Dr. Sweeney, Derek's principal, changed the curriculum in school to where a couple books were taken away, and a couple of "black books" were added in their place. Derek said, "Dr. Sweeney comes on so strong. It's kind of hard not to listen to it, but maybe some of the stuff he says is. . ." His father replied with, "It's bullshit- it's nigger bullshit." After Derek agrees with his father, his father says, "Good boy. I'm proud of you." Derek's father praised Derek for agreeing with him. The camera then switches to Danny, and the look in his eyes is that of, "What just happened. . ." With their father being killed not long after this conversation in a minority neighborhood, Derek struggles to justify his father's death. This was the beginning of a long journey Derek would take, and the beginning of the end for Danny.
             Throughout the film, it is shown how racism can affect relationships within a fa...