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Violence And Counter-Violence In Do The Right Thing By Spike Lee

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The film “Do The Right Thing” by Spike Lee has a lot of controversial issues in the New York community between different races. Each race tends to feel as though they deserve more recognition than the other, especially the African Americans. Throughout the movie we get to witness the stance amongst them dealing with their beliefs of being mistreated. This movie exhibits many different opinions, which cause uproar and riots to stir between many individuals. In this paper, I will discuss the concepts of violence and counter-violence as well as protest that occured in the movie.
Violence and counter-violence is defined as either using pure violence for harm or as a retaliation for self-defense. Within the movie a lot of violence occurs, but in which way they are using it is what determines what category one falls under. For instance, when Radio Raheem encountered Sal, the pizzeria owner, he had his radio with him turned all the way up to prove a point. The altercation then began with Sal telling Radio Raheem to turn …show more content…

In the movie, we get the chance to view many different stand points taken by the African Americans through their protest. The first protest that takes place is led by Buggin Out, another one of the main characters, against Sal’s pizzeria. Buggin Out believed that since his community supported and brought business to Sal’s, they should have African American’s pictures showcased on his wall of fame. Buggin Out decided to go around to the people of the community and ask to petition Sal’s place, although he had little success, he never gave up. Eventually others in the community started to see the issues with Sal and it led to his place being destroyed completely. Buggin Out demonstrated a strong protest in which he knew giving up would have served no purpose. By following his beliefs his protest ended up further and more successful in his eyes in the

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