American History X

[bliss_eternal]

is on IFC now. Interesting film, especially knowing the conflict between the director and Norton.

Why do some young Rethuglicans look at this as some sort of 'training film'...?

I've seen some disturbing comments made by young white males about this film. :eyes:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. There's a certain type of mentality that looks at reports of atrocities

and says with an evil grin, "What a good idea!" Sad but true.

[bliss_eternal]

3. I've seen profiles on internet boards where these guys

seem to be enamored of the opposite message the film was trying to get across. They look at it as some sort of a 'how to' instead of a morality tale, or a story with a lesson to be learned... They've adapted intolerance as a lifestyle choice.

It's disturbing. To see young men, with swastikas and hateful sayings in their profiles. Or the ones that say their favorite book is Mein Keimpf.

:(

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. They're almost always losers who have to blame someone else

for their failings.

Given the unjust social systems in this country, it may not be their fault that they've failed, but the powers that be are just as happy to have them blame people of color instead of blaming factors like outsourcing of jobs or excessive military spending or poor educational opportunities.

Poor people beating up on darker-skinned poor people are not threatening to the rich and powerful. Poor people who know why they're poor ARE threatening.

[bliss_eternal]

6. You're a smart lady. It just breaks my heart!

Young people aren't supposed to be tainted with that crap.

My hope was that the hatemongers would in time die out...but I didn't realize how many hate groups and white supremacists there still are out there--targeting these kids.

It's not like admins like these have a no tolerance policy on it. They seem to merely encourage it, with their public verbal gay bashing.

:puke:

[Elidor]

2. What kind of conflict?

[bliss_eternal]

4. Whoa--that's Edward Furlong

was this the last film he made before he started getting into trouble?

[alarcojon]

7. I can see racists and neo-Nazis liking the film

they'd just have to ignore most of the second half of it. They could just get the DVD and replay the scenes where Norton and company are killing and maiming minorities.

Sick fucks.

[Blue-Jay]

8. *I* like that film.

[alarcojon]

9. Oh, I do too!

just addressing the last point made by the OP.

[bliss_eternal]

10. I know what you mean...

I am also guilty of liking the film. No harm there. But I don't think anyone here that likes the film, identifies with the beating up of or killing of minorities, or the main character's racial rants during the beginning of the film.

[Raiden]

11. Great movie!

*SPOILER*

On the imdb message board, lots of skinheads think this movie is pro-hatred, how Derek's change was in vain because in the end Danny was killed, by who, a black boy...

A twisted interpretation of the movie if you ask me.

Plus, they all seem to enjoy the curbing scene -- *CRAAaaaAAACCccCCCK* Gosh, that gives me chills just thinking about it!

[bliss_eternal]

12. Oh gosh--there, too?

This is what I'm talking about... Is no one teaching these kids how to critically analyze film. Geez, it practically had red neon lights saying,"Bigotry WRONG! Hate BAD! Cycle of hate NEGATIVE repercussions!"

:shrug:

You're right, it is a twisted interpretation. It's like the bigots that watched Archie Bunker and thought he was a hero...

:eyes: