American History X - Dinner

Riots occurred in Watts and Chicago in 1968.

Derek believes calling a riot an irrational expression of rage is a cop-out.

Derek believes rioting is opportunism at its worst, where people use any excuse to loot a store.

Derek believes the fact that people looted stores in their own communities reflects their absolute lack of respect for the law and no concept of community or civic responsibility.

Derek believes some incarcerated individuals are proud of their crimes.

Derek believes attributing crime to poverty or riots to rage alleviates personal responsibility for actions.

Rodney King was high on drugs and driving 120 miles per hour down the highway when he was pulled over by police officers.

Police Officers Powell and Briseno hit Rodney King with billy clubs and kicked him in the back of the skull.

Derek believes the police officers involved in the Rodney King incident were defending themselves using standard textbook self-defense procedures.

Derek believes the tape of the Rodney King incident did not show excessive police force.

Society grants police officers a certain amount of authority to make judgment calls because their job is difficult and dangerous.

Derek believes the focus on Rodney King rather than the police officers is mind-blowing.

Derek believes the notion that society has an obligation to help the struggling black man or cut him slack to overcome historical injustices is "crap" and "liberal nonsense" that perpetuates problems.

Derek accuses Murray of trying to have sex with his mother.

Doris is ashamed that Derek is her son.