American History X
Movie Review by: Heather Wilkins, Frederick Community College

American History X is a movie that is unafraid to portray difficult yet realistic scenes of racism and hate. Underneath its rough exterior, though, the movie demonstrates the power of influence those closest to us have over us. American History X delivers the message that individuals are exactly that- individuals- and should be treated as such rather than grouped into a category or slot. In addition, it encourages people to think for themselves and question pressure from even the most well-meaning sources if said pressure betrays one's own heart and ideas. Lastly, yet by far not least, the movie teaches the power of reeducation. That is, that what one person assumes he or she knows may be incorrect, and yet his/her so-called knowledge is not hopelessly engraved upon his/her mind. People have the wonderful capacity to learn and to learn again when one idea fails them or proves false.