Movie buffs may know him as derek vinyard, edward nortons neonazi character in american history x. Frank meeink tells how he was drawn into americas nazi underground and how he ultimately triumphed over drugs and hatred. Meeink concludes, american history x isnt my story. After watching a couple of youtube videos of him during speaking engagements where he renounces his evil ways, come to find out that the movie was kind of about him, in a very condensed way. The live lecture of frank meeink s downfall and redemption has the power to open hearts and change lives. Introduction american history x was directed by tom kaye and released 1998. Frank s violent childhood in south philadelphia primed him to hate. The films main character, derek, played by edward norton, becomes a. Frank meeink went from being one of the most influential skinhead recruiters and leaders, to becoming an author, mentor and youth hockey coach. The frank meeink story i personally was not a fan of this movie and i would not choose to watch it if it was not shown in class. Frank says the film and his story, though, are not just about him, but, every kid who got sucked up into the white supremacy movement and had a change of heart.
Til american history x was based on the true story of frank meeink, a skinhead who reformed his racial prejudices after leaving prison. Frank meeink s story hawthorne books, spring 2010 confronts these questions, as does the film that parallels his life, american history x. In autobiography of a recovering skinhead he talks about what made him easy prey for skinhead gang recruiters, how, by 16, he had become one of the most notorious skinhead gang leaders on the east coast, and how he. Oscars best picture winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central all events. Edward norton on what current american history x would look like peopletv entertainment weekly duration. That line is interesting because it strikes many white nationalists the wrong way. Frank meeink, who many believe was the inspiration behind american history x, and the movie american history x itself, can tell us a lot about white supremacist movements. A recovering skinhead on leaving hatred behind by 16, frank meeink had become one of the most wellknown skinhead gang leaders on the east coast. The 1998 film, american history x, is loosely inspired by meeinks life in many ways.
Autobiography of a recovering skinhead is frank meeinks raw telling of his descent into americas nazi underground and his ultimate triumph over drugs and hatred. The persistent myth about exneonazi frank meeinks memoir, autobiography of a recovering skinhead, is that the tale meeink tells of his violent, racist past was the basis for the 1998 movie american history x. If you know the answer to this question, please register to join our limited beta program and start the conversation right now. American history x and autobiography of a recovering. American history x, the moody drama about a pair of troubled brothers caught up in the neonazi skinhead movement, took an honest look at the underbelly of white supremacist counterculture in. He is the founder of harmony through hockey, a member of the against violent extremism network, and has been a member, consultant, and speaker for a wide range of nonprofit groups dedicated to preventing hatred and violence. Changing hands bookstore in tempe has promoted the book, in part, with this supposed connection. Frank s violent childhood in south philadelphia primed him to hate, while addiction made. Frank meeink coaches nationalchampionship youth roller hockey teams and has worked in support positions for professional ice hockey teams. Meeink who has been featured in a film with desmond tutu, appeared in a music video with country singer jamey johnson and been interviewed by katie couric was part of the inspiration for the movie american history x.
American history x released in 1998 based on frank meeink. Dereks father, dennis vinyard, was a middleclass fireman who disagreed with many of the ideological changessuch as affirmative black actionhappening in america at the time. Unlike almost everyone in the class, i hadnt really heard about american history x. He made easy prey for a small group of skinhead gang recruiters led by his older cousin. And frank meeink s official website see second related link says nothing about american history x being based on his life. Jerry stahl born september is an american novelist and screenwriter, he is best known for. Former skinhead battles racism with hockey huffpost life. Til american history x was based on the true story of frank meeink, a skinhead who. Former skinhead frank meeink, whose life story was used for edward nortons character in american history x, shifted his perspective on skates. In fact, scary thing is, without it being organized its harder to crack some of the cases.
Franks violent childhood in south philadelphia primed him to hate, while addiction made him easy prey for a small group of skinhead. Frank meeink speaker american history x woodward academy. Frank meeink is the most famous exskinhead in america, his life the basis for the character of derek vinyard, the neonazi portrayed by edward norton in american history x. Now, hes speaking to cnns christi paul about the appeal of hate.
Rangel says in the documentary that he used to hate white people. Frank s violent childhood in south philadelphia primed him to hate, while addiction made him easy prey for a small group of skinhead gang recruiters. Many white nationalists feel that their movement doesnt revolve around violence. What american history x skinhead revealed on 1st anniv.
The three main stars of the film are life after hate cofounders frank meeink the reallife inspiration for the dramatic film american history x and tony mcaleer, as well as sammy rangel, a latino former gang member who founded the group formers anonymous for exbigots. Autobiography of a recovering skinhead american history x frank. The character goes to prison for 3 years like meeink, for the. Former neonazi frank meeink, whose life story mirrors the oscarnominated film american history x, sat down with clarion project to discuss a fastrising new extremist group in america called the base. It is a story partly based on the life of reformed skinhead frank meeink, who served three years in prison for charges related to white supremacist beliefs. Though it hits some predictable notesmostly because of edward nortons familiar character in american history x it speaks forcefully from experience.
Frank took an interest in white pride, believing whites to be supreme over all other races. Exskinhead frank meeink says he has it, and the career criminal squad is saved. The base is a neonazi group reported to have been established in 2018. Autobiography of a recovering skinhead by frank meeink. Frank meeink, author of the autobiography of a recovering skinhead, will bring his message from hatred to harmony to marshalltown community college on tuesday, oct.
Frank s violent childhood in south philadelphia primed him to hate, while addiction made him easy prey for a small group of skinhead. It has been long rumored that his story was the basis for the 1998 film american history x, starring edward norton. Frank meeinks story was the inspiration for the movie american history x. Frank meeink tells his story at the americas business councils reconciliation. Frank meeink, 38, whose life partly inspired the film, american history x, starring edward norton, spoke tuesday at the antioch missionary baptist church in beaumont of his teenage years as a. With bill riccio, mark lane, frank meeink, christian picciolini.
By sixteen, frank was one of the most notorious skinhead gang leaders on the east coast. Frank meeink generally travels from and can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Was american history x based on a true story answers. First and foremost i was absolutely shocked while watching american history x and reading frank meeink s autobiography. American history x and frank meeink white nationalism. History rebuffed the persistent myth about exneonazi frank meeink s memoir, autobiography of a recovering skinhead, is that the tale meeink tells of his violent, racist past was the basis for. After a threeyear stint in prison, he left the racist skinhead movement and now lectures against it.
Former neonazi speaks out on charlottesville cnn video. It was in this setting that frank felt safe for the first time. My parents were drug addicts who broke up soon after i was born. Real life former white supremacist skinhead frank meeink was arrested at age 17 and spent three years in prison, where he befriended several. Caleb powell writes, frank meeink is the most famous exskinhead in america, his life the basis for the character of derek vinyard, the neonazi portrayed by edward norton in american history x. American history x, directed by tony kaye, is a movie about the transformation of derek vinyard. Frank meeink is an actor and writer, known for red laces, the formula 2014 and vessel 2011. Til american history x was based on the true story of. Autobiography of a recovering skinhead is frank meeink s raw telling of his descent into america s nazi underground and his ultimate triumph over drugs and hatred. Meeink, who served three years in prison for charges related to white supremacist beliefs, is now an accomplished antiskinhead. American history x released in 1998 based on frank meeink s story, autobiography of a recovering skinhead, presaged our current climate. The character goes to prison for 3 years like meeink, for the murder of a black gang member. Reformed neonazis and exskinhead, frank meeink, stopped by campus today and talked with students about his life and emphasized the need for reform and tolerance on civil rights issues. Loosely, meeink told us at the reconciliation forum in washington, d.
His story is one of struggle and redemption, and ultimately inspired the 1998 film american history x. Frank meeink is the most famous exskinhead in america, his life the basis for the character of derek vinyard, the neonazi portrayed by. The persistent myth about exneonazi frank meeink s memoir, autobiography of a recovering skinhead, is that the tale meeink tells of his violent, racist past was the basis for the 1998 movie american history x. Autobiography of a recovering skinhead is frank meeink s raw telling of his descent into americas nazi underground and his ultimate triumph over drugs and hatred. I had never heard of it, but many people that i talked to. When i spoke to meeink by phone before he arrived in phoenix. Frank meeink was indeed a former nazi skinhead, but the movie american. May 7, 1975 is a former white supremacist skinhead gang member in the united states. American history x released in 1998 based on frank meeinks story, autobiography of a recovering skinhead, presaged our current climate. Frank mentions that, the whole skinhead movement revolves around violence, and i was so tired of that. Unlike almost everyone in the class, i hadnt really heard about american history x or seen it.
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