How Does American History X Fall Under The Labeling Theory

Differential theory best describe American History X. Sutherland introduces this theory more than sixty years ago. The differential theory is learned criminal behavior by choice. Sutherland believed if an individual were associated with people who hold deviant or criminal ideas more than with people who embrace conventional ideas, the individual is likely to become deviant(Thio, Taylor, and Schwartz, 2013). Danny’s deviant behavior was learned from his brother Derek and his Derek’s deviant behavior was learned from his father and Cameron. As you see in the movie Derek once didn’t have all that hate in him. There was a scene in the movie when Derek was explaining a homework assignment to his father about him writing an essay on a black man. Derek seemed excited and interested in the class. Derek father said things that possibly could have influenced the way he thought. Derek father told him not to get so caught up on what the
teacher was teaching him, and to just pass the class. Danny believes that’s when Derek changed but Derek says he changed when he father died. In the movie there, is a news video of Derek being interviewed about his father's death. Derek showed hurt and rage in that video. Derek was hurt and upset that his father died from a black person in the ghetto, while just doing his job. I believe that’s when Danny change. Either way, Danny, and Derek were taught deviant behavior which falls under the differential theory.
The labeling theory also plays a part in the movie. Because of Derek's behavior and criminal record, Danny was label as deviant. Danny behavior changed when his brother with to jail. In the movie, it appeared that Danny wasn’t so sure about his brother behavior and second-guessed a lot of his brother thoughts, but because everyone else looked up to Derek he did too. Danny school teacher had no faith in him because of the paper he wrote. Dr. Sweeny, the principal wanted to give him a chance because he knew that Danny was a good child, but his behavior was learned behavior from Derek. Danny teacher labeled him because of his brother.

Derek thought his criminal behavior was right because of his beliefs. Derek believed that everyone was not equal just as his father believed. Cameron influenced a lot of Derek and the community beliefs on deviant behavior. There was a scene in the movie that was wrong in so many ways. Derek hyped up and convinced the whites to trash and destroyed the local supermarket because it was owned by a Korean, who hired immigrants to work for him. They felt as if they were doing the right thing for their community and Country. Derek showed racism, discrimination, and stigma because of his belief that everyone was not equal.
Derek had power in his community they looked up to Derek as if he was a God. Derek murdered a black man because they tried to rob him. Derek had no remorse to what he did because it was a black man. It took for Derek to go to jail to want to change his deviant behavior and beliefs. When Derek went to jail he saw that jail was overpopulated by black men and he was outnumbered by them. Derek chose to be a part of a group that had the same beliefs as him for protection while in jail. Derek began to learn that their beliefs weren't as strong as his and turned on them even if it meant him dying. Derek was cool with a black man he worked with in the prison laundry room. Derek life was saved because of this man after he turned his black on the other whites. When the black man shared his story with Derek about his charges, Derek stereotyped him and assumed he must have assaulted the cop when he stole the T.V. This was because Derek strongly believed all blacks were criminals, poor and lived off the government. Even though the scene didn’t show in the movie when the man explained his arrest, this scenario falls under the conflict theory. The conflict theory is when people with power use their power illegally. The cop lied on that man most likely because he was black. He abused his power which most cops do. If that man had been white he would have only been charged with just robbery. The black boy that killed Danny would fall under the labeling theory.
Although his deviant behavior probably was learned behavior from his neighborhood which would be considered the differential association. The black boy falls under the labeling theory because he’s growing up in poverty in a low-class neighborhood. These scenarios will cause him to be subject to act on deviant behavior or become a criminal which both happened. However, society probably already labeled him before Danny's murder. The black boy was subject to deviant behavior because of his race and social class. When your black living in poverty it’s hard not to be stigmatized or label. For example, there was a scene in the bathroom when the black boy was roughing up the white boy because the white boy told the teacher he was cheating. The black boy stated that he doesn’t cheat he doesn't need to cheat. He was stereotyped because he was black. It appeared the boy cared about school because he stops beating the boy up when the bell rang and had to go to
class. So now this boy will forever be label as a murderer and criminal because the acts he committed as a child, even if he went to jail and change his life like Derek did. Derek who also murder someone will probably have a better chance in life because he is white and more privilege. Society looks at deviant behavior different depending on your race and social class. That black boy will forever be a stereotype for his deviant behavior.