The film is in no way a comprehensive look at racism, hatred, or inner city violence. Instead, it examines the various ways these elements tear at the fabric of a family. The film emphasizes that actions have consequences, and that attaining redemption isn't as easy as saying "I'm sorry." The price for a change of heart can be, and often is, brutal. The final sequence in the film is shocking not because it's unexpected, but because it illustrates this truth. Yea, the brutal truth of consequences brought on your own shoulders for what you've said and done. The ending of the film makes both Danny and Derek more sympathetic, if not forgivable. It also suggests that the psychological trauma resulting from being socially rejected and insulted hurt much. Sometimes seems to be unredeemable, unrestorable.
But the change of Derek does give us insight that racist ideas can be learned, just as he learned from his father, and unlearned. I remember his powerful speech about thousands of "parasites stream across the border like some fuckin' pinata exploded" every night. What a charismatic leader he is! He gives a terrific speech, "inspiring" his followers to save their country which "loses the right to pursue its destiny." "One in every three black males is in some phase of the correctional system. Is that a coincidence or do these people have, you know, like a racial commitment to crime?" Racism, in many ways, helps justify his rage and hatred.
But as we see in the scene where he is asked by his old high school principal after being raped and humiliated by his fellows in the jail:
"I used to be mad too. Mad at everyone. Mad at society, white people, God. I had all the wrong answers but I wasn't asking the right questions. You need to ask the right questions, Derek."
"Like what?"
"Has anything you've done made your life better?"
His slow headshake shows his inability to make sense of the fact that he befriends a black man. It breaks down his old perception and he comes to realize how much he has been consumed by his unreasonable racist ideas.
Yea, hate is baggage. Who would like to carry on with a baggage of rage and hatred which quietly eats him up?
*For plot summary, go to:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0780625633/ref=ase_internetmoviedat/102-2163446-6921701?v=glance&s=video#product-details
Danny: "Hate is baggage. Life's too short to be pissed off all the time."
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