American History X

            
             The book says that one important value in the American society is individualism. The common belief in America is that "God helps them who help themselves." With that they mean that if you work hard you"ll get far in life, but if you"re lazy and you wont get far. Derrick worships this value, he believes very strongly in the self-made man, and as we can see in the movie he hates that some Chinese guy have taken over the local shop and is hiring illegal immigrants as cheap work power, so Derrick and his gang trash the store. He means that all white people are decent and hardworking people, while black, Asian and Hispanic people are freeloaders. .
             Another important value in the American society is equality, it's important for the Americans that all people has equal opportunities and chances when it comes to getting a job, getting a scholarship etc. Equality is a constitutional right in the USA. Derrick thinks that equality is important, but he has a rather twisted way at looking on it. He means that since Lincoln freed the slaves 150 years ago, the blacks got nothing to complain about these days, and he hates the measures that are meant to compensate for the past discrimination. .
             As we all know most Americans are a really patriotic people, and Derrick is no exception, he means that the USA is a unique country which have been given a special mission. He also says that the American way is about fulfilling a destiny.
             Americans are characterized as a warm and welcoming people, and as a people that's open and curios. Derrick means that it important to have a warm and welcoming community, but he means that the newcomers (black, Asian and Hispanic people) are messing it up.
             Many people gets the idea of the USA as a country were winning seams as the only option, and this is in fact true. For many Americans is the glory with being best very important, as we can see in soccer, football, hockey or basketball.