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Stereotypes In Do The Right Thing

1028 Words5 Pages

With the eighties being a powerful time in America that came with music, art, and movies with a meaning. These messages relayed back from the black community topics of racism, sexism, and etc. Spike lee presented that with his 1989 film Do the Right Thing. Lee’s film displayed how people deflect stereotypes in a community of tension and racial oppression. One of Lee’s important characters is Sal, an Italian business owner where his pizzeria enterprise is popular, for the being the only establishment of that kind in his Brooklyn neighborhood. Sal’s character in the film is often portrayed as “fair” equal individual to the black patrons of that community. Though, he encounters some scenarios with a few black customers that could say otherwise. …show more content…

He then wants to organize a community boycott against the business until Sal adds or changes the images. Sal’s response is that it’s his business, so he is free to display whatever he wants on the wall. While, Buggin Out feels that if Sal shall conduct business in a black populated community, he should recognize people of his race too. Another incident that justifies Sal’s character is the altercation with Radio Raheem. Twice Sal, voiced his hate for Raheem’s obnoxious loud music, which Sal calls it “jungle music.” In the film, “Fight the Power” is the only song he continuously plays from his jukebox. Raheem turned off his music and that ended the difference. However, the final conflict is taken at the pizzeria, but this time Buggin Out and Radio Raheem are teamed up. They stormed into Sal’s business. Buggin Out begins by yelling at Sal about the pictures, while Raheem stands there playing his music loudly. This led to an argument and Sal yelling racial obscenities and destroying Raheem’s radio with a bat. Sal then says, “I just killed your fucking radio” and Raheem says, “The music.” Next a full out brawl occurs and the police are …show more content…

For it allows “white viewers as a chance it imagine whiteness “from the outside.” Overall, all the characters in the film are “true” they’re not over exaggerated stereotypes. Lee presents this movie in a common-like situation. Where frustration can bring the worse in people no matter if they are not openly racist. It is difficult to determine Sal’s true persona as his actions spoke for him. Flory believes, “Lee encourages many of his white viewers to reflect on and devise a new belief schema for understanding race.” Do the Right Thing is a noteworthy film because the way Lee casts his characters. The play on stereotypes is a common theme among films, but what makes this film different and influential is the impression of “real” life

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