Was Hank racist ?

What do you think? His old man wasn't always around when he showed his racist attitudes. Like when Hank spewed racial epithets at the other black guards who tried to restrain him while he attacked his own son for screwing up the execution. Obviously Hank was a product of his father's racist upbringing.

Yep inherently racist. But these things can change which obviously did happen when he met Leticia

Hank was a racist. If he were not, he would've at least been nicer. Though, he was more of a casual racist (due to his upbringing) than one who has a serious deep-seated hatred toward black people. He's made steps to change.

I don't think he was in his heart. His dad just really did a number on him. But he got to love and live for himself in the end.

He actually didn't show any racist behavior at all except scaring off those two kids in the beginning, but he makes no mention of their race when chasing them off. That could be put down to him trying to please his dad though.

And the scene in the toilet where he calls the other guard a ni***r. That could be put down to things said in the heat of the moment.

Two little outbursts like this doesn't really make him a racist in my book. He was pretty far from being a racist.

Poorly Lived and Poorly Died, Poorly Buried and No One Cried

When I first saw this movie, I was under the impression that Hank wasn't truly racist. Rather, he merely acted that way to appease his grouchy racist father and appear macho.

I think like many people who think and act like racists... they are often surprised to find they have kind and compassionate feelings for all individuals who pass meaningfully into their lives. They may need to remind themselves of their hate, but find it's often better not to.

yes