With a closed mind, there is no other perspective than one's own.

Rating: 8/10 (7 January 2000)

Narisicism is ingrained in human nature. People's love for themselves often leads them to bond with others who are most similar with them. This lack of diversity of thought lends members of such a group to believe that their paradigm is the true or correct way to view the world. American History X portrays these feelings excellently. The neo-Nazis began simply as angry young men who were scared in the world which they lived. They found solace, and soon ignorance, in the company of fellow men who, in one way or another, held similar feelings. This comfort which grew from the mass quickly bottlenecked its members' ability to empathize. People with different perspectives were not only ignored but seen as the enemy. narrower and narrower mindset soon set in, eliminating the "big picture' completely. AMX's use of this theme was magnificent. I hope that those who see this film enter with an open mind and leave with a heightened sense of the world around them. Even for those where racial inequality is not a factor in their life, this movie still offers insight. Ignorance to the feelings of fellow human beings can be found in the smallest of daily activities. Open your eyes, take a step back, and look at the world from the shoes of another. You'll be surprised at what you see.