Frank Meeink vs. Derek Vinyard

The comparison between the Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead: The Frank Meeink Story versus American History X shows quite a bit of similarities. My blog focus as well, interlaces with both subjects quite closely. Frank Meeink’s story and American History X both have much in common because of the shared theme of a Skinhead being forced to take a step back and look at his life and ideologies while in prison. In fact, some including Meeink himself believe the movie was loosely based on his life specifically.

  

 

The overall portrayal of Skinheads seems to be relatively accurate. As Meeink stated in an interview posted below with Katie Couric, almost all Skinhead gatherings involve alcohol. He says that they “love to drink”. In American History X, the main Skinhead gathering they show is a scene at a party where there is a good amount of alcohol and music.

Another important scene is when Derek, the main character of American History X, gives a short speech about immigration and how it is affecting the United States. Frank Meeink talks about how they prey on people who are already hateful, but the Skinhead movement just shows you where to direct such hate. He talks about how they state facts and put a “Zionist twist” on them, which Derek displays here. We’ve discussed such a tactic in class before.

Focusing more on my blog topic itself is how prisons are portrayed in the book and movie. In American History X, I noticed both accurate details that I was surprised to see, and yet I also noticed some inaccuracies as well. For one, during a scene in the movie while Derek is in prison, he witnesses a drug cartel deal go down. I have posted this clip before in previous blogs and have added the link below. In the scene, Derek is disturbed by the alliance between the whites and Mexicans in prison. This is accurate because one of the Aryan Brotherhoods main allies just so happens to be the Mexican Mafia. It proves the point that is also stated within Meeink’s story, that in prison a lot of the time racially based gangs rank drugs higher on their main agenda. Frank Meeink talks about the heavy amount of drug trafficking done in prison. As I’ve talked about in previous blogs, the Aryan Brotherhood is involved in a heavy amount of drug trafficking. This aspect can be seen as a common thread between the two as well.

American History X : Drug Trafficking Scene 

One inaccuracy though that I have found throughout my research is the lack of the follow through on the “Blood in, Blood out” motto the Brand follows. This means that once you join the gang, which you must kill in order to do, you must die in order to leave. It is a forever bond. In the history of the AB, members who have left find themselves a very uncomfortable seat at the top of the Brotherhood’s hit list quite quickly, as shown by Michael Thompson, as mentioned in earlier blogs. Thompson, shown far left below, realized his differing views from the Movement and quit without being killed himself. This placed him as the ultimate enemy of the Brotherhood. Derek did kill to get in, it was in fact what landed him in prison, however he wasn’t very chased after aside from being heavily harassed and raped. The AB in real life would have done everything in their power to kill him, inside and outside prison walls.

An important comparison of landmark points in the storylines of both Derek Vinyard and Frank Meeink is the physical change that is visible to the public. Derek’s scene is when him and his younger brother Danny take down the posters in Danny’s room, a scene shown linked below. This is a turning point for the audience to physically see the change that Derek has made. Frank Meeink’s turning point, physically visible at least, would be the removal of his tattoos. Although Meeink’s could be seen as far more drastic and painful, both are heartfelt and represent change and redemption occurring in both characters.

 American History X : Taking Down Symbols

 

Frank Meeink Before and After Tattoo Removal

The prison system represents an important aspect of both stories. It is accurately described in numerous ways and hits the main points that white nationalist gangs are like today. Obviously Meeink’s story is very accurate, because he witnessed it himself and lived through it, something that I can gladly say I have not done. However, Hollywood’s portrayal can also take pride in showing the important ideals that white nationalist prison gangs represent today. Both stories showed much inspiration and proof that change can occur, and redemption can be sought for your wrongdoings in life.