Ayrton Oneill
Spike Lee's 1989 film Do the Right Thing explores racism, gentrification, generational conflict, immigration, political apathy, police racial profiling, and urban youth identity. The film is set in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighbourhood and revolves around Sal's pizzeria. The film's characters include Buggin' Out, Radio Raheem, and Mookie, who is played by Spike Lee himself. The film sparked discussions about police brutality and racial representation, and its impact extended to fashion and basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, Drama |
| Director | Spike Lee |
| Writer | Spike Lee |
| Actors | Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Giancarlo Esposito, Rosie Perez, Spike Lee, Richard Edson, Samuel L. Jackson, John Turturro, Martin Lawrence, Bill Nunn |
| Rating | 7.9/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score | 92% |
| Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating | 9.1/10 |
| Metacritic Score | 93/100 |
| Release Year | 1989 |
| Themes | Racism, gentrification, generational conflict, immigration, political apathy, police racial profiling, urban youth identity |
| Fashion | Afrocentric accessories, round frames, Jordan sneakers |
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What You'll Learn
Police brutality
Spike Lee's 1989 film 'Do the Right Thing' explores several complex social and political issues, including police brutality, racial profiling, and racial tensions. The film is set in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, commonly known as Bed Stuy, on the hottest day of the year. It revolves around the tensions between the African-American community and the Italian-American owners of Sal's pizzeria.
The film's exploration of police brutality is one of the reasons it remains relevant today. In one of the film's pivotal scenes, a policeman uses his nightstick to strangle Radio Raheem, an African-American character, to death. This incident triggers an explosion of violence, with Mookie, played by Spike Lee, throwing a garbage can through the window of Sal's pizzeria, inciting a riot. The crowd's anger is redirected from Sal to his property, and the riot ultimately destroys the pizzeria.
The killing of Radio Raheem by the police is not an isolated incident in the film but reflects real-life issues of police brutality and racial profiling that were prevalent in 1989 and have only grown since. Spike Lee has commented that only White viewers ask him if Mookie did the right thing by inciting the riot, while Black viewers do not question Mookie's actions. Lee believes that viewers who criticise the riot fail to understand the difference between property damage and the unjustified death of a Black man at the hands of the police.
The film does not offer easy answers or impose a particular ideology on its audience. Instead, it presents complex issues, offers different perspectives, and leaves room for debate and discussion. For example, at the end of the film, quotations from two prominent Black leaders are presented, one advocating for nonviolence and the other for armed self-defence in response to oppression.
'Do the Right Thing' has been praised for its bold and honest portrayal of racial tensions and police brutality, and it continues to spark conversations about these important issues. The film has also been recognised for its technical achievements, vibrant visual style, and energetic performances, earning it a place as one of the most acclaimed films of the 1980s.
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Racial joy, hatred, and confusion
Spike Lee's 1989 film Do the Right Thing explores racial joy, hatred, and confusion in the urban context of Brooklyn, New York City. The film does not shy away from tackling complex issues such as racism, gentrification, generational conflict, immigration, political apathy, police racial profiling, and urban youth identity.
At the time of its release, the film was praised for its vibrant visual style, energetic characters, and unpredictable camera work. The film also sparked debate and discussion, with some critics applauding its treatment of racial themes, while others found it problematic and potentially incendiary.
One of the most striking aspects of Do the Right Thing is its portrayal of racial joy and solidarity within the Black community. The film showcases the burgeoning street style and Afrocentric accessories of the era, reflecting the intellectual focus on Black identity in African-American communities. The film's opening scene, featuring Tina's (Rosie Perez) electric dancing to the anthem "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy, is a powerful expression of Black joy and culture.
However, the film also delves into racial hatred and confusion, particularly in the interactions between Black and Italian-American characters. The film is set in a predominantly Italian-American neighborhood, reflecting the real-life 1986 incident at Howard Beach, Queens, that inspired Lee. In the film, tensions arise between Sal, the owner of a pizzeria, and his Black customers, such as Buggin' Out and Radio Raheem, who advocate for representation on Sal's wall of fame and the inclusion of hip-hop music in his restaurant. The conflict escalates when a white man wearing a Larry Bird jersey scuffs the Jordan sneakers of Buggin' Out, reflecting the racial tensions between the characters.
The film also explores racial confusion, particularly in the character of Pino, who expresses racist views despite idolizing Black cultural figures. When Mookie confronts Pino about his racism, Pino struggles to reconcile his admiration for Black culture with his racist beliefs, revealing the complexity and confusion of racial attitudes.
Do the Right Thing continues to be a relevant and thought-provoking film, sparking discussions about race, joy, hatred, and confusion in both the context of its release and today.
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Basketball rivalry
Spike Lee's 1989 film 'Do the Right Thing' explores a variety of complex issues, including racism, gentrification, generational conflict, immigration, political apathy, police racial profiling, and urban youth identity. The film is set in Brooklyn, New York, during the hottest day of the year and revolves around tensions between the African-American and Italian-American communities. The film's open ending, which leaves these issues open for debate, has sparked much discussion and interpretation among audiences and critics.
Basketball features prominently in the film, reflecting the cultural moment of the late 1980s. The character Pino, who is racist and disrespectful towards the African-American community, idolises basketball player Magic Johnson, who is Black. This contradiction highlights the complex nature of racial dynamics and the integration of Black culture into American culture. The film also references the famous rivalry between basketball players Larry Bird, who is white, and Magic Johnson. In one scene, a white character wears a Larry Bird jersey, reflecting Bird's popularity among white audiences.
The film also explores the theme of representation within the context of basketball and sports more broadly. Buggin' Out, one of the film's characters, advocates for the inclusion of Black individuals on Sal's "wall of fame", which features pictures of famous Italian-Americans. This wall includes athletes such as Joe DiMaggio, reflecting the intersection of sports and cultural representation.
Additionally, the film addresses racial dynamics within sports and the impact of these dynamics on popular culture. Mookie, another character in the film, challenges Pino's racist beliefs by pointing out the prominent Black figures he admires, including Magic Johnson. This exchange highlights the complex nature of racial relations and the influence of sports on cultural perceptions.
'Do the Right Thing' also delves into the impact of sports on fashion and style trends. The character Buggin' Out, known for his round-frame glasses, helped to make this style iconic. The film also popularised the Jordan brand, with Buggin' Out's sneakers becoming a significant plot point. The film reflected and influenced emerging fashion trends in Brooklyn, particularly in men's street style, which resonated throughout the industry and shaped trends for years to come.
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Afrocentric accessories
Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing >(1989) is a highly acclaimed film that explores complex issues such as racism, gentrification, generational conflict, immigration, and police racial profiling. The film is set in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, commonly known as Bed Stuy, and reflects the urban context and cultural moment of New York City in the late 1980s.
One notable aspect of the film is its attention to detail, including the clever use of props and accessories that contribute to the overall style and message of the film. The characters in Do the Right Thing often wear Afrocentric accessories, such as Africa pendant necklaces and kufi caps. These accessories were not just a fashion choice but a reflection of the intellectual focus on Black identity in African-American communities during that era.
The incorporation of Afrocentric accessories in the film mirrored a trend that was gaining popularity in New York at the time. In July 1989, The New York Times published a trend piece on the sudden prevalence of Afrocentric accessories being sold across the city, from Harlem to Bed-Stuy to Times Square. This trend was embraced by various musical artists, including Experience Unlimited, Heavy D and the Boys, Kool Mo Dee, and Public Enemy, who wore Afrocentric jewellery at their concerts.
In addition to the accessories, Lee also showcased emerging street style trends from Brooklyn, particularly Bed-Stuy, which had a lasting impact on men's fashion. The film introduced a wider audience to the urban fashion of the time, and Lee's influence extended to footwear as well, with the film playing a role in popularising Jordans as a cultural touchstone.
Lee's use of Afrocentric accessories and urban fashion in Do the Right Thing not only added to the authenticity of the film's setting and characters but also reflected the cultural and social landscape of the time, contributing to its enduring legacy.
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Racial profiling
Spike Lee's 1989 film "Do the Right Thing" explores racial tensions and police brutality in a Brooklyn neighbourhood. The film revolves largely around Sal's Famous Pizzeria, owned by an Italian-American man and his two sons, who employ a deliveryman named Mookie, played by Lee himself.
The film depicts an incident of racial profiling, where Mookie's colleague, Pino, uses a racial slur towards him. Mookie responds by outsmarting Pino, using his intellect rather than resorting to violence. This scene highlights the complex dynamics of racism and the use of derogatory language, even among those who admire or are influenced by Black entertainers and athletes.
"Do the Right Thing" also addresses the lack of African-American representation on Sal's "Wall of Fame", which features photographs of predominantly white celebrities. This sparks tension in the community, as the pizzeria is located in a predominantly African-American neighbourhood. The film captures the escalating tensions over the course of a hot summer day, reflecting on how summer weather can bring more violence.
The film has been praised for its exploration of racial dynamics and its impact on society. It has been described as "a spiritual documentary that shows racial joy, hatred and confusion at every turn" and as coming "closer to reflecting the current state of race relations in America than any other movie of our time." However, it has also faced criticism, with some accusing it of inciting violence or racial tension.
"Do the Right Thing" continues to be a relevant and thought-provoking work, sparking discussions about racial profiling, police brutality, and the complex dynamics of race in America.
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Frequently asked questions
Do the Right Thing is a comedy-drama film that was released in 1989. It was written, directed by and starred Spike Lee.
Do the Right Thing is about the hottest day of the year in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. It explores racism, gentrification, generational conflict, immigration, political apathy, police racial profiling, and urban youth identity.
There are several references to basketball in Do the Right Thing. The character Mookie asks Pino why he hates Black people, despite his favourite basketball player being Magic Johnson. In another scene, Buggin' Out gets into an argument with a white man wearing a Larry Bird jersey, who scuffs his sneakers.
Do the Right Thing was praised for taking on the subject of race and is considered one of the most important films of the 1980s. It was also notable for its style, with Afrocentric accessories and round-frame glasses helping to shape fashion trends.
