Neo-Nazism In American History X

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Even though his initial cause makes Derek seem much less relatable to the average audience member, neo-Nazism isn’t all that uncommon in the United States. By choosing to associate Derek with a group of people that exist solely for the alienation and the damnation of others, Kaye allowed for neo-Nazism to be viewed much more publicly than it previously had been and called attention to the world that people live in outside of the norm. Along with the National Socialist Movement in the U.S., there are many other Nazi groups such as the National States’ Rights Party, the Southern United States, and the better-known American Nazi Party (Kaplan 3). In American History X, the gang that Derek’s involved with isn’t any of these known groups and simply …show more content…

tattoos. American History X has D.O.C. (Disciples of Christ) playing a similar role that these neo-Nazi groups represent in real life. The American Nazi Party’s focus is to advance National-Socialism in the United States and then the world, and works toward their primary goal: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for White children” (American Nazi Party 1). The advertisements for White Power in American History X are similar to those on the American Nazi Party’s website. In the film, the focus of the D.O.C. is more on White Power instead of Aryan Power like the ANP wants. On the ANP webpage, one of the links reads, “Are you a non-Aryan Who is Sympathetic to Our Struggle?” and alienates other members of the white community. If this was present in American History X, characters like Seth Ryan, Cameron Alexander, and even the two main characters Danny and Derek wouldn’t have power due to them having dark hair. By showing the platforms of the D.O.C. throughout American History X, Tony Kaye pushed neo-Nazism forward into the public eye for

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