After so many years, American History X can be considered a required viewing for all people, young and old. It touches on so many points—ones that were relevant when the film was released in theaters—as well as societal factors still present today. More than anything, the movie's messages are still being deciphered.
One particular concept has eluded cinephiles, and it's how Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) survives prison. He's fine at first while under the protection of his Aryan brothers, except that sense of security doesn't last long. When Derek learns that the group's leader barters with other races in prison, he takes offense to that agreement. He tries to make a problem out of the necessary trading, which doesn't sit well with the rest of his brotherhood. They're more concerned with loyalty and falling in line. So when the arrogant Vinyard disagrees, he becomes a problem for them.
Not only does Derek disagree, but he also makes several symbolic insults. He refuses to sit with the Aryan brothers during chow time, which, when done in front of the general population, sends the message that disrespect goes unpunished. The group doesn't allow it to continue, showing Derek why he should have fallen in line. They assault him in the showers to prove said point.
After a stint in the infirmary, Derek returns to general population but without the protection he used to carry. The former Nazi would walk with an air of arrogance to him. And he could do so with impunity since the Aryan brotherhood provided protection. Without them, though, he became public enemy number one. On top of that, everyone knew what Derek was in for, and that placed a sizable target on his back.
To recap, Derek killed four men during a botched home invasion. They were the offenders on the evening in question, but after Vinyard murdered two of them unnecessarily, trying to justify his actions would've been impossible. The audience never witnesses Derek's trial, though it's likely that the curb stomp was the deciding factor in a verdict. He only received three years of jail time, so the charge was either manslaughter or double manslaughter.
Who Is Going To Protect A White Supremacist?
Despite becoming an easy target, Derek survives. He makes it all the way to the gates and then back home, but how? The answer lies in his unlikely friend, Lamont.
When Derek gets assigned to laundry duty, Lamont has to train him. They eventually bond, becoming friends despite Derek's affiliation as a Nazi and Lamont being African American. Their friendship is so strong that the latter sticks up for Derek when he loses his protection.
While the audience never witnesses Lamont speak to the Black population in prison, he presumably asks them to give Vinyard a pass. Convincing them might not have been so easy, though. Considering how egregious Derek's actions were, it would've taken a really convincing argument to persuade them that Derek is worth sparing.
Seeing as how Derek broke ties with the hate group he formally aligned himself with, that would've changed things. Since they probably didn't see many caucasian males walking into prison and rehabilitating themselves, Derek would've been a welcome sight. He also proved it wasn't just for survival because the Aryan Nation offered to take the injured Vinyard back in, but he refused in a show of defiance.
Speculation aside, the last prison scene confirms that Lamont played a hand in protecting him. On the way out of prison, Derek plainly asks his friend if he convinced the others to lay off. Lamont only smiles and smirks, but his facial expressions tell the audience that he did it. They smile and hug, and then Derek walks off to finish the rest of his story.
American History X is currently streaming for free on Tubi.