Do the Right Thing: A Timeless Classic on Morality and Justice

Do the Right Thing: The People's Economist Speaks (Hoover Institution Press Publication Book 430)

by Walter E. Williams

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	979 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	202 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Spike Lee's 1989 film Do the Right Thing is a cinematic masterpiece that has stood the test of time as a powerful exploration of race, morality, and justice. Set in a racially tense Brooklyn neighborhood on the hottest day of the year, the film follows the lives of several characters as they grapple with personal and societal conflicts.

A Hot Day in Brooklyn

The film opens with a vibrant portrayal of a typical summer day in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Sal's Pizzeria, a local landmark owned by an Italian-American family, serves as a microcosm of the neighborhood's racial tensions. The pizzeria's employees include Mookie (Spike Lee),a young black man who delivers pizzas, and Pino (John Turturro),Sal's son who is often seen making racially insensitive remarks.

As the day progresses, the neighborhood's tensions escalate. A group of young black men, led by Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn),gather outside the pizzeria blasting loud music from his boombox. Sal asks them to turn down the music, but Raheem refuses, citing his First Amendment rights. The confrontation between Sal and Raheem becomes a flashpoint for the neighborhood's simmering racial animosity.

Sal's Pizzeria: A Symbol of Racial Tension

Sal's Pizzeria represents the racial divide that exists in the neighborhood. Sal and his family are Italian-Americans, while the majority of their customers are black. This creates an uneasy tension, as both sides are wary of each other's intentions.

Mookie's role as the pizzeria's delivery boy highlights the racial divide. He is the only black employee, and he is often subjected to racial slurs and insults from the pizzeria's white customers. Despite the abuse, Mookie remains loyal to Sal and his family, reflecting the film's complex exploration of race and friendship.

Mookie: A Symbol of Hope and Frustration

Mookie is the central character in Do the Right Thing. He is a young black man who is trying to do the right thing in a world that often seems unfair. He is caught between his loyalty to Sal and his support for the neighborhood's black community.

Mookie's character embodies the film's central question: what does it mean to do the right thing? Is it always easy to know what the right thing is? And is it always possible to do the right thing without compromising one's own values?

A Tragic Ending

The film's climax comes when Radio Raheem is arrested by the police. The arrest escalates into a riot, during which Sal's pizzeria is burned down. Mookie is forced to confront his own role in the violence, as well as the systemic racism that has led to the neighborhood's problems.

The film's tragic ending leaves the audience with a sense of frustration and sadness. But it also offers a glimmer of hope, as Mookie emerges as a symbol of the possibility for change.

A Timeless Classic

Do the Right Thing is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today. Its powerful themes of race, morality, and justice are as relevant today as they were when the film was first released.

The film's characters are complex and well-developed, and the performances by the cast are superb. Spike Lee's direction is masterful, and he creates a palpable sense of tension and suspense throughout the film.

Do the Right Thing is a must-see for anyone interesado in film, race, or social issues. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing is a cinematic masterpiece that explores the complexities of race, morality, and justice. Set in a racially tense Brooklyn neighborhood on the hottest day of the year, the film follows the lives of several characters as they grapple with personal and societal conflicts. The film's powerful themes, captivating characters, and enduring legacy make it a must-see for anyone interested in film, race, or social issues.

Do the Right Thing: The People's Economist Speaks (Hoover Institution Press Publication Book 430)

by Walter E. Williams

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	979 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	202 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE