Reflecting on their own history with learning about racism, Nate and Ryan re-watch American History X. As it was for so many people (especially white men) their age, American History X served as one of the first visceral looks at racism in modern America. However, the rhetoric of Edward Norton’s Derek Vineyard which seemed so shocking 22 years ago is no longer relegated to the fringes of polite society. Listen to Nate and Ryan break down the movie’s legacy, its current role in the lives of white men, and the film’s unsettling depiction of Derek Vineyard as a charming, muscle-bound genius.
What’s your history with this movie? How much do you remember beyond the most shocking scenes? Where does this rank among Edward Norton’s performances? Let us know!
CITED IN THE EPISODE
The Alt-Right’s Relationship with American History X by Michael Fraiman
American History X, Cinematic Manipulation, and Moral Conversion by Christopher Grau
RECOMMENDED READING
The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X, Alex Haley
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Rising Out of Hatred by Eli Saslow
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
One Person, No Vote by Carol Anderson
How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Stamped From The Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
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Nate and Ryan are back from a brief break to discuss Spike Lee’s masterpiece Do the Right Thing. In celebration of the film’s 30th anniversary, Nate and Ryan are doing an appreciation episode to give a much deserved re-watch to a movie that has proven to be more timely and prescient with each passing year. Listen as they discuss what they think makes the movie work so well and how the movie has impacted the way they see the world.
