Comparison-Contrast of the Movies American History X and Higher Learning

There are actually many common threads between the movies Higher Learning and American History X. Both of the movies consist of a series of characters in short vignettes that face many issues in life, including racism, prejudice, episodes with white supremacists and other general issues.

In Higher Learning, there are many examples of violence and racism. Kristy Swanson is raped and begins hanging out with a lesbian activist. In many ways, this is similar to what happens to Derek in American History X. Kristy begins hanging out with a lesbian because a catastrophic event happens in her life-her rape. And in a way, Taryn preys on Kristy's weakness after the rape. Derek begins hanging out with Cameron and the other white supremacists because of a catastrophic event in his life-the death of his father. He is vulnerable to listen to the hate of others because he is so full of hate because of the death of his father.

In Higher Learning, another character named Epp likes to rant about black oppression. Conversely, Cameron, Derek, and others like to rant about white oppression. For example, in American History X, there is that scene on the basketball court where they talk about how the white man is oppressed because immigrants are taking over the country. Then, they go into the grocery store and trash it as well as humiliating the minorities who work there.

In Higher Learning, Rappaport becomes a skinhead due to being insulted by Ice Cube and Busta Rhymes. In American History X, Derek also becomes a skinhead but for different reasons. However, both of them are in a weakened state when they succumb to the propaganda of the skinheads.

They contrast quite easily in their settings. Singleton's film Higher Learning gives the viewer an unsettling look at the inside of a college campus. The college is aptly named after Christopher Columbus, the man who discovered America and committed genocide to the Native American race as well as other atrocities. He shows how this college campus is completely divided by race. It is generally believed that college campuses are a place where the races should come together in pursuit of a common goal Conversely, in American History X, the viewer is given an inside look to a "typical" American family. It is easy to see how seemingly harmless dinnertime conversation serves to teach prejudice. Again, viewers tend to think that parents should not teach their children to hate others, but the reality is that we teach kids so much by what we say.

The problem with Higher Learning is that white people really do seem to cause the problems in the movie. They kill others. They rape women. They assault men like Epps for no particular reason other than that he is black. There seems to be no real understanding or evolving on their part. And they seem to maintain the very stereotypes that the movie tries to counter. Surfer girls are dumb and racist. Bad men rape women. However, there are glimpses of hope in that after the tragedy, the white woman in the elevator and the black student are able to talk to each other, even though her first inclination in the elevator was to clutch her purse to her chest.

That is why American History X more accurately depicts race relations in this country. Wrongly if whites have a negative experience with blacks, they are likely to generalize that experience to mean that all blacks are bad. Anti-immigration sentiment is strong in this country, and there are many who do feel that minorities are ruining the United States. It's hard to say whether the neo-Nazi parts are over exaggerated because the viewer is simply unfamiliar with that way of life. However, the change that Derek's character undergoes after the rape scene in prison is moving. He also then changes his brother Danny. Derek does end up realizing that true character has nothing to do with race and this is seen in the ending quotation by Abe Lincoln. However, unfortunately, the change has come too late and his brother Danny is killed. This, too, is more realistic in life. Our actions have consequences; there are some things we just can't undo. However, both films demonstrate that there are no easy answers in life.