Before Derek went to prison, I hated him. I immediately got the sense of how strong and powerful he was, and hated him for being able to preach values that I am against so well. I hated that he instilled racist values in his brother, his friends, and other teenagers. However, after he developed as a character I realized that he was not the leader, but rather a victim as well. Through the blur of his racist comments, it is hard to see how he is actually a victim. During his speech to the boys before the supermarket attack, he comes off as passionate as if this was his life goal. However, as the movie progresses it is clear that he is just another impressionable teen, who is just saying whatever he has heard from Cameron and his father. In jail, he has an epiphany and realizes how brainwashed he was. Derek was not the only one to get corrupted from the influence of others. Danny is more clear evidence that he was not truly full of hate, rather just influenced to hate others. This provokes a question of racism in general- Is it an actual feeling? Or a feeling that was brought on by the influence of others and the vulnerability of the individual? Looking at both Derek and Danny, we see that their racist beliefs were developed when they were unstable with their own lives, so were in search of something, or someone, to blame their problems on. Derek and Danny were not characters worth hating, rather characters that needed guidance. Sweeney understands that their actions do not define their potential or their true values, and refuses to give up on them. Sweeney helps Derek and Danny be happy and realize the error of their ways. Although their epiphanies of how to be good again were realized too late, the point is that they were realized. This movie may not be a true one, but it is true that there are many teenagers that are easily influenced to be members in hate groups. However, their isn’t always a ‘Sweeney’ out their to help the youth realize good values, and these kids grow up and pass on their racism to their kids. If kids can be brainwashed to evil, how come they aren’t brainwashed to do good through their education? Derek’s hatred caused two innocent men to die, however through analysis we realize that Derek is a victim also. This movie was truly brilliant, and it had a strong impact on me. I can not stop thinking about its powerful scenes and its hidden messages.