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What is Do the Right Thing about?
Do the Right Thing is an emblematic narrative about racial tension, policing, and the consequences of pent-up frustration in a culturally diverse community. The film presents a microcosm of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, on the hottest day of the summer, where a boiling point of racial conflict reaches its inevitable climax. Central to this tale is the inherent paradox of “doing the right thing,” a theme that is complex and is constantly reframed, thereby triggering the audience to question its own moral compass.
The movie’s core conflict derives from the systemic divide and racial disparity witnessed within the urban neighborhood, projecting both subtle and overt displays of prejudice. From Sal’s pizzeria, a locus of contention due to its Wall of Fame lacking black celebrities, to the fatal chokehold incident, Do the Right Thing continually forces audiences to grapple with what is just and unjust. The film’s conclusion leaves an impression of cyclical violence, suggesting that the resolution of societal conflicts can’t be achieved through violent retaliation, but also pointing out that peaceful protests often go unheard. By not providing a clear answer to what the “right thing” is, the movie suggests that the path towards justice is labyrinthine and fraught with challenging ethical dilemmas.
Movie Guide table of contents
Cast
- Spike Lee – Mookie (also writer and director)
- Danny Aiello – Sal
- John Turturro – Pino
- Richard Edson – Vito
- Bill Nunn – Radio Raheem
- Rosie Perez – Tina
- Giancarlo Esposito – Buggin’ Out
- Ossie Davis – Da Mayor
- Ruby Dee – Mother Sister
- Samuel L. Jackson – Mister Señor Love Daddy
- Roger Guenveur Smith – Smiley
- Rick Aiello – Officer Gary Long
- Miguel Sandoval – Officer Mark Ponte
- Joie Lee – Jade
- Martin Lawrence – Cee
- Leonard L. Thomas – Punchy
- Christa Rivers – Ella
- Robin Harris – Sweet Dick Willie
- Paul Benjamin – ML
- Frankie Faison – Coconut Sid
The ending of Do the Right Thing explained
A recap of the ending
Buggin’ Out, Radio Raheem, and Smiley storm into Sal’s Pizzeria, protesting Sal’s Wall of Fame. Sal orders Raheem to turn off his blaring boombox, but Radio Raheem refuses. Fueled by the tension, Buggin’ Out becomes derogatory towards Sal and his sons, vowing to close the establishment until Black people are represented on the Wall.
Sal retaliates in a fit of anger, racially insulting Buggin’ Out and smashing Raheem’s boombox, sparking a brawl that quickly engulfs the pizzeria and spills onto the streets, attracting a crowd. As Raheem puts Sal in a chokehold, Officers Long and Ponte arrive to quell the chaos. Raheem and Buggin’ Out are apprehended, and in an alarming twist, Long chokes Raheem with his nightstick despite pleas from Ponte and the crowd. Raheem’s life is tragically taken and the officers, cognizant of their error, hastily drive off with his body.
The crowd, shattered and incensed over Radio Raheem’s death, hold Sal and his sons accountable. Da Mayor tries to reason with the crowd about Sal’s innocence but to no avail. Overcome by fury and sorrow, Mookie hurls a trash can through Sal’s Pizzeria window, catalyzing the mob to raid and wreck the establishment. Smiley sets it ablaze as Da Mayor rescues Sal and his sons from the impending mob, now fixated on Sonny’s store.
Sonny, in a state of dread, successfully dissuades the mob. With the arrival of the police, firemen, and riot patrols, the crowd is dispersed, and the fire is extinguished amidst continued discord and arrests. A bewildered Mookie and Jade observe the scene from a safe distance while Smiley, reentering the charred premises, places one of his photos on the remnants of Sal’s Wall.
In the aftermath, Mookie confronts Sal about his due pay, following an argument with Tina. The two men bicker, reach an uneasy truce, and Sal finally pays Mookie his wages. Local DJ Mister Señor Love Daddy memorializes Radio Raheem with a dedicated song.
As the film nears its end, contrasting quotes on violence by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X appear, followed by an image of the two leaders in a handshake.
Here is the quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.:
Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. It is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than to convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends by destroying itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.
And the quote from Malcolm X:
I think there are plenty of good people in America, but there are also plenty of bad people in America and the bad ones are the ones who seem to have all the power and be in these positions to block things that you and I need. Because this is the situation, you and I have to preserve the right to do what is necessary to bring an end to that situation, and it doesn’t mean that I advocate violence, but at the same time I am not against using violence in self-defense. I don’t even call it violence when it’s self-defense, I call it intelligence.
The film is then dedicated to the families of six victims of police brutality or racial violence: Eleanor Bumpurs, Michael Griffith, Arthur Miller Jr., Edmund Perry, Yvonne Smallwood, and Michael Stewart.
The escalation of racial tensions
The climactic confrontation in Do the Right Thing is a reflection of escalating racial tensions that have been brewing throughout the entire film. The tension between the different racial groups in the neighborhood is palpable from the onset, underscored by motifs of incredible heat and Sal’s Wall of Fame.
The heat represents the smoldering racial tensions within the community. The sweltering summer weather creates an atmosphere of restlessness and agitation that mirrors the community’s emotional state. It’s a visual and sensory metaphor for how racial tension and frustration can simmer below the surface, intensifying until they reach a boiling point.
Sal’s Wall of Fame acts as another significant symbol, representing the denial of racial recognition. The wall, adorned with only Italian-American celebrities, starkly contrasts with the predominantly Black neighborhood the pizzeria resides in. This omission doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by Buggin’ Out, and becomes a significant point of contention that adds to the building tension.
When Sal destroys Raheem’s boombox after a heated confrontation over the Wall of Fame, it is not merely an act of aggression but a metaphorical dismissal of the Black community’s culture and identity, thus igniting the existing tension into a full-blown conflict. The fight spills onto the streets, attracting a crowd and the police’s attention, which culminates in Raheem’s tragic death by chokehold.
Radio Raheem’s death thus underscores the deadly consequences of systemic racism and racial tension. Even though Sal didn’t instigate the fight, he becomes the community’s target due to Raheem’s unjust death, showing how racial tension can distort perceptions and escalate conflicts. This escalation reflects the destructive cycle of racial prejudice, illustrating how deep-seated biases can lead to unjustifiable violence.
The riot and its symbolism
Riots are often a manifestation of pent-up frustrations of marginalized communities. In Do the Right Thing, the destruction of Sal’s Pizzeria is the physical representation of this suppressed anger breaking free. The community feels disenfranchised, and this explosive display of defiance becomes a means to voice their longstanding grievances.
The riot, in this sense, becomes a form of catharsis, an emotional release for the community. For them, it’s a reaction against systemic inequities that they have been forced to endure. It is a destructive, yet significant, means of rebellion against a system that consistently overlooks their needs and concerns. While the destruction may seem senseless to an outside observer, for the people involved, it is an act of reclaiming power and agency, however transient it might be.
This act of rebellion is further underscored by Radio Raheem’s earlier “Love and Hate” speech. Here is that speech in full:
Let me tell you the story of Right Hand, Left Hand. It’s a tale of good and evil. Hate: it was with this hand that Cain iced his brother. Love: these five fingers, they go straight to the soul of man. The right hand: the hand of love. The story of life is this: static. One hand is always fighting the other hand, and the left hand is kicking much ass. I mean, it looks like the right hand, Love, is finished. But hold on, stop the presses, the right hand is coming back. Yeah, he got the left hand on the ropes, now, that’s right. Ooh, it’s a devastating right and Hate is hurt, he’s down. Left-Hand Hate KOed by Love.
That speech takes on an ironic tone as the riot unfolds. The community, driven by love for their own and a sense of justice, turns to what can be perceived as an act of hate: the destruction of Sal’s pizzeria.
This irony embodies the complex reality of racial struggles, where love for one’s community can lead to actions perceived as hateful. The riot, while destructive, embodies this struggle, highlighting the community’s desperate need for acknowledgment and change. It shows that when pushed to the brink, when love seems to be losing the fight, actions born out of frustration and a thirst for justice can be misunderstood as acts of hate.
Mookie’s act of throwing the trash can is a powerful image and a potent symbol for the ongoing struggle between love and hate that Radio Raheem talks about. Mookie loves his community and sees it suffer. He’s also aware that Sal’s pizzeria, at that moment, is a symbol of the community’s oppression—an embodiment of the racial tensions and the lack of recognition that sparked the fight and led to Raheem’s death. Mookie chooses an act of apparent hate, not because he hates Sal personally, but out of love for his community and a need for justice. You could also argue that he throws the trash can out of love in order to protect Sal and his sons.
The struggle for recognition and respect
In the aftermath of the riot, Mookie’s return to Sal to demand his weekly pay carries significant symbolic weight. Mookie’s insistence on being paid, despite the previous night’s catastrophic events, underscores a fundamental theme of the film: the struggle for recognition and respect.
Mookie’s demand for his salary, against the backdrop of the smoldering remnants of Sal’s pizzeria, isn’t just about money. It represents his assertion of self-worth and dignity in a system that consistently undermines it. Mookie, a pizza delivery man, has spent his days serving the community, and his demand for pay is symbolic of his fight for acknowledgment of his labor’s value, even amidst chaos. And Sal’s eventual decision to pay Mookie, albeit begrudgingly, signifies a moment of recognition.
This scene, however, doesn’t suggest a complete resolution of the racial tension. Instead, it reveals a moment of temporary truce within the ongoing struggle, a small step towards mutual recognition. It emphasizes that the journey towards racial harmony and recognition is fraught with conflict, but not devoid of the potential for understanding and change. This small act of transaction underscores the film’s commentary on the complex dynamics of race, labor, and respect in a racially diverse community.
Ending with contrasting philosophies
At the end of Do the Right Thing, Spike Lee presents quotes from two iconic figures in the civil rights movement: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. These quotes reflect their respective philosophies towards social change: King’s nonviolent resistance and Malcolm X’s belief in self-defense in the face of oppression.
King once said, “The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.” This speaks to his conviction that violent reprisals, while initially gratifying, are ultimately detrimental to the larger goal of societal harmony.
In contrast, Malcolm X once stated, “I am for violence if non-violence means we continue postponing a solution to the American black man’s problem—just to avoid violence.” This is emblematic of his belief in the legitimacy of violence as a tool for self-defense, asserting that black people have the right to protect themselves when institutions fail to do so.
Spike Lee’s decision to include these seemingly contrasting statements is a reflection of the complex nature of racial struggle, particularly as it’s depicted in the movie. The narrative doesn’t promote one approach over the other. Instead, it showcases the multifaceted and often conflicting responses to racial oppression.
By juxtaposing these quotes, Lee suggests that the film’s narrative is not a prescriptive solution to racial tensions, but an exploration of the myriad ways individuals might respond to the same. It’s a recognition that the struggle for racial equality is not monolithic and that different approaches can coexist, even if they seem contradictory.
In the end, Do the Right Thing doesn’t definitively answer what the “right thing” is. Instead, it encourages viewers to contemplate the complexities of racial tension and the multitude of responses it evokes. This makes the film not just a depiction of racial tension, but also a platform for dialo
The themes and meaning of Do the Right Thing
Racial tension
Racial tension is a pervasive theme in Do the Right Thing, manifesting through various characters, their interactions, and conflicts. The film provides a microcosmic view of the broader racial dynamics in America by focusing on a single day in a Brooklyn neighborhood. It presents racial tension not as an external force, but as an inherent part of everyday life in an ethnically diverse society.
The struggle for racial recognition
Racial recognition, or the lack thereof, serves as a significant driving force behind the tension and conflict in Do the Right Thing. The struggle for recognition and respect of one’s racial identity and culture is a shared experience among many characters, creating an undercurrent of resentment and frustration that fuels the escalating tension throughout the film.
The struggle for racial recognition is deeply entwined with the motif of Sal’s Wall of Fame. The Wall, solely featuring Italian-American celebrities, stands in Sal’s Pizzeria, a business operating in a predominantly black neighborhood and serving mostly black customers. The Wall becomes a symbolic site of contention because it omits representation of the black community, even though the pizzeria is a shared community space. This omission is a stark reminder of the broader societal bias that often overlooks the contributions of marginalized groups.
Buggin’ Out, recognizing this lack of representation, challenges Sal to include African American icons on the Wall. Sal’s refusal and his argument that it’s his pizzeria and he can display whomever he wishes shows an entrenched racial bias and disregard for the cultural contributions of his black customers. This conflict underlines the struggle for racial recognition, illustrating how the lack of representation can lead to feelings of erasure and fuel discontent.
The motif of baseball serves a similar purpose, highlighting the struggle for racial recognition within shared cultural experiences. The heated argument between Buggin’ Out and Pino over the best baseball player becomes a proxy battle for racial pride and recognition. Each character argues for a player of their own race, emphasizing the divide that persists even within universal cultural symbols like baseball. This conversation illuminates the fact that even in areas of shared national identity, racial disparities and the struggle for recognition persist.
In Do the Right Thing, these motifs accentuate the constant struggle for racial recognition faced by the characters. This struggle is not a mere subplot but forms the foundation of the narrative, driving the actions and reactions of the characters. The growing frustration and tension due to this lack of recognition eventually erupt in the film’s climax, manifesting in the form of the riot. The riot, therefore, is not just an act of wanton violence, but a bold assertion for racial recognition, marking a culmination of the characters’ long-standing struggle.
The use of racial slurs
Language plays a pivotal role in Do the Right Thing, serving as a mirror to reflect the simmering racial tension in the neighborhood and offering a critique of the casual prejudice that permeates everyday society.
Throughout the film, characters express their racial prejudices and underlying tensions through their choice of words and phrases, revealing how deeply ingrained these biases are in their everyday interactions. For instance, the loaded conversation between Pino and Mookie about famous African-Americans reveals Pino’s subconscious racial bias. Although he admires several black celebrities, he harbors prejudice against the black community in his immediate vicinity. His words, heavy with contradiction, illustrate how stereotypes and prejudice can coexist with admiration, underscoring the complex nature of racial bias.
A particularly potent example of language reflecting racial tension is the scene often referred to as the “racial slur montage.” Here, characters unleash a flurry of racial slurs against various racial groups, unveiling the raw, unfiltered racial prejudices that exist beneath the surface of their daily interactions. This verbal violence serves as a metaphor for societal tension, laying bare the stereotypes each racial group harbors about the others. By doing so, the film depicts the multifaceted nature of prejudice, where individuals can be both victims and perpetrators of bigotry.
The casual and conversational manner in which these slurs and biased comments are tossed around further demonstrates how racial prejudice has seeped into the fabric of everyday life, often normalized and unchallenged. This habitual use of racially loaded language illustrates how racial tension can simmer beneath the surface of a community, ready to boil over at any provocation.
The need to riot
The riot at the end of the movie is triggered by the unjust death of Radio Raheem, a black man, at the hands of the police. This brutal event resonates with real-world instances where violence against black individuals has sparked widespread public outrage and unrest, such as the murder of George Floyd. The representation of Radio Raheem’s death and the subsequent riot underscores the film’s critique of systemic racism and police brutality, issues that remain pertinent decades after the movie’s release.
The film portrays the riot as an eruption of pent-up racial tension, accumulated resentment, and shared frustration. It is a chaotic, violent, and emotional response to the violence inflicted upon Radio Raheem and, by extension, the black community. The act of Mookie throwing the trash can through the window of Sal’s Pizzeria can be interpreted as an act of deflection, diverting the mob’s wrath from Sal to his property, or as an act of rebellion, symbolically challenging the system that continually marginalizes his community.
In this context, Do the Right Thing is neither justifying nor condemning the riot but presenting it as a complex reaction to a deeply embedded societal problem. The film, instead of simplifying the event into a matter of right or wrong, forces audiences to grapple with the circumstances that lead to such incidents. It challenges viewers to question the structures and biases that perpetuate racial violence and injustice, eventually leading to such outbursts.
Ethics and morality
The theme of ethics and morality runs deep in Do the Right Thing, challenging audiences to grapple with what constitutes “the right thing” in a racially charged context. The film presents various characters wrestling with their moral convictions amidst escalating racial tensions, forcing audiences to reflect on the relativity of moral judgments.
What is the “right thing”?
The advice from Da Mayor to Mookie to “do the right thing” is a significant narrative element that sets the stage for the exploration of ethics and morality in Do the Right Thing. This seemingly simple advice, delivered early in the film, introduces the audience to the complex moral universe they are about to navigate.
By positioning Da Mayor, an older character with life experience, as the deliverer of this advice, the film establishes a sense of generational wisdom. Da Mayor is portrayed as a somewhat flawed but wise figure who has witnessed and understood the complex nature of morality in their racially charged environment. His advice underscores the inherent moral quandaries the characters face and positions him as a moral compass, albeit a nebulous one, as he doesn’t spell out what the “right thing” is.
The phrase “do the right thing” is deceptively simple but inherently complex due to its subjective nature. It presents morality as a fluid concept, shaped by personal perspectives, societal norms, and cultural backgrounds. This leaves room for interpretation, setting the stage for the moral dilemmas that unfold throughout the movie. It allows for multiple interpretations of what the “right thing” is, reflecting the diversity of viewpoints in the neighborhood and the wider world.
The climax of the film, where Mookie throws a trash can through the window of Sal’s Pizzeria, culminates in this theme of moral ambiguity. Mookie’s action can be viewed from different ethical perspectives: as a betrayal of his employer, as a justified act of defiance against a system that devalues black lives, or as a strategic move to redirect the mob’s anger away from Sal and onto his property.
The film does not provide a definitive answer on whether Mookie’s actions constitute “the right thing,” which aligns with the film’s broader approach to ethics and morality. It suggests that morality isn’t fixed or universally agreed upon, but rather a product of individual circumstances, societal influences, and personal interpretations. This approach encourages the audience to engage with these complexities, asking them to consider the factors that shape their understanding of “the right thing.”
Love vs. Hate
Radio Raheem’s “Love and Hate” speech in Do the Right Thing is a pivotal moment that delves into the thematic exploration of ethics and morality. Holding up his brass knuckle-adorned hands, one reading ‘LOVE’ and the other ‘HATE,’ Raheem delivers a dramatic monologue about the eternal struggle between these two forces.
Here’s the entire speech:
Let me tell you the story of Right Hand, Left Hand. It’s a tale of good and evil. Hate: it was with this hand that Cain iced his brother. Love: these five fingers, they go straight to the soul of man. The right hand: the hand of love. The story of life is this: static. One hand is always fighting the other hand, and the left hand is kicking much ass. I mean, it looks like the right hand, Love, is finished. But hold on, stop the presses, the right hand is coming back. Yeah, he got the left hand on the ropes, now, that’s right. Ooh, it’s a devastating right and Hate is hurt, he’s down. Left-Hand Hate KOed by Love.
This speech is a nod to the dichotomy of good and evil, love and hate that has been a central theme in literature and philosophy for centuries. It introduces the concept of ethical and moral dualism, the conflict between positive and negative moral forces, into the narrative. Radio Raheem’s hands become metaphors for these opposing forces, demonstrating how closely they can coexist and how one’s actions can tip the balance in either direction.
In terms of ethics and morality, this speech underscores the complexity of the characters’ choices and actions throughout the film. The struggle between love and hate is reflected in the characters’ interpersonal dynamics, their actions, and their reactions to the escalating racial tension. It symbolizes the ethical quandaries they face, the choices they make, and the consequences they bear.
For instance, Mookie’s decision to throw a trash can through Sal’s Pizzeria’s window can be viewed through the lens of this dichotomy. Was it an act of hate against Sal, or an act of love to divert the crowd’s anger away from Sal to his property, potentially saving his life? This act, like many others in the film, doesn’t fit neatly into categories of “right” or “wrong,” reflecting the intricate interplay between love and hate, good and evil, ethical and unethical.
Radio Raheem’s speech encapsulates this moral complexity, reminding viewers that actions are often motivated by a mix of love and hate, righteousness and anger, morality and immorality. It reflects the film’s overall stance on ethics and morality, demonstrating that these concepts aren’t clear-cut but rather a product of constant struggle and negotiation between conflicting forces.
Community and identity
Do the Right Thing presents community and identity as intertwined themes, exploring how individual identities contribute to community dynamics and vice versa. The motif of the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, with its diversity, is a melting pot of identities, all coexisting in a delicate balance of harmony and discord.
The tension between community and identity
Do the Right Thing delves into the tension between maintaining individual identity and fostering community harmony, shedding light on the complexity and delicate balance of multicultural societies. Throughout the film, characters grapple with expressing their unique cultural identities while cohabitating a shared community space, revealing the inherent challenges and conflicts that can arise from such a dynamic.
Sal’s Pizzeria serves as a central location for this tension. Sal, an Italian-American, runs this establishment in a predominantly black neighborhood, leading to clashes of cultural expression. The Wall of Fame, adorned with only Italian-American icons, is a clear symbol of Sal’s insistence on maintaining his individual identity. Yet, his pizzeria operates as a communal hub for a black neighborhood, raising questions about representation and the inclusivity of community spaces.
Buggin’ Out’s demand to include black icons on the Wall of Fame exemplifies the tension between individual identity and community harmony. Buggin’ Out seeks acknowledgment of the neighborhood’s cultural identity, believing that the community’s patronage should be reflected in the space they frequent. This is seen as a threat by Sal, who feels his personal identity within his business is being undermined.
The coexistence of community and identity
However, the film does not present this tension as a simplistic binary conflict. Characters such as Da Mayor and Mother Sister demonstrate a more harmonious coexistence of individual identity within the community fabric. Da Mayor, though often at odds with younger community members, ultimately embodies wisdom and peacekeeping. Mother Sister, while maintaining a somewhat aloof and watchful role, shows concern and care for her neighborhood.
The climax of the film underscores the devastating potential of these tensions when left unresolved. The riot that engulfs Sal’s Pizzeria can be viewed as an explosive expression of suppressed individual identities that felt unheard and unrecognized within the shared community space.
At the same time, the film emphasizes the strength of the community. Despite the conflicts, there is a sense of shared experience and mutual support among the residents. The community’s collective outrage at Radio Raheem’s death and the subsequent riot signify a shared sense of injustice and a collective struggle for change. This shared experience, born out of adversity, underlines the power of community and the importance of collective identity in challenging societal structures.
Why is the movie called Do the Right Thing?
The title Do the Right Thing might appear straightforward, suggesting a simple moral directive to make ethically correct decisions. However, as the film unfolds, it becomes clear that determining what constitutes the “right thing” is steeped in layers of complexity, ambiguity, and subjectivity.
Da Mayor’s directive to Mookie to “do the right thing” early in the film sets the stage for the narrative’s exploration of morality, ethics, and societal pressures. His advice, though seemingly simple, resonates throughout the movie as we observe characters navigating their personal moral landscapes amid escalating tensions. Initially, the quote seems to foreshadow a traditional morality tale where characters will face clear choices between right and wrong, a concept most audiences are familiar with.
The deeper meaning of the title lies in the fact that what may be deemed as “right” is often a matter of perspective. Depending on one’s values, experiences, beliefs, and even their place in a social or racial hierarchy, the definition of the “right thing” can drastically differ. For instance, the character Mookie throws a trash can through the window of Sal’s pizzeria, which, on the surface, is a violent act of vandalism. However, in the context of the story, it can be viewed as an expression of pent-up anger, frustration, and a desperate cry for justice following the death of Radio Raheem. Is Mookie doing the right thing? From his viewpoint, this act was perhaps a necessary measure to draw attention to racial violence. However, to others, his actions might seem destructive and unproductive, potentially escalating the conflict.
By the end of the movie, Da Mayor’s quote takes on a more profound significance. The climactic conflict at Sal’s pizzeria, culminating in Mookie’s act of throwing the trash can through the window and the subsequent riot, forces the audience to grapple with what the “right thing” truly means in such circumstances. Is it peace at the cost of justice, or is it a disruptive act to draw attention to a grave injustice? The ambiguity inherent in Da Mayor’s advice thus becomes a point of reflection for the audience, prompting them to reconsider their understanding of morality and justice.
In the broader context, the title serves as a commentary on systemic racial and social inequalities that still persist in society. It underscores the fact that individuals from marginalized communities often have to navigate a complex moral landscape where the “right thing” may differ vastly from the mainstream narrative. In the face of systemic oppression, their fight for equality might be deemed as an act of defiance, disobedience, or even criminal activity by those in power.
The title’s deeper meaning lies in its challenge to the audience. As viewers, we’re urged to question our notions of what is “right” and “wrong.” We’re prompted to examine our biases, our preconceived notions, and the societal narratives we’ve accepted. This demand for introspection and self-reflection continues to resonate long after the film ends, causing us to grapple with these issues in our own lives.
Important motifs in Do the Right Thing
Heat
In Do the Right Thing, heat is a constant presence that accentuates the rising racial tensions. The temperature, which continues to escalate throughout the day, not only aggravates the discomfort and irritability of the characters but also symbolizes their growing frustration and anger. The heat-induced exhaustion and agitation of the characters mirror the societal fatigue that stems from enduring racial inequalities. The film’s climactic riot occurs at the peak of the day’s heat, symbolizing that when tensions, like temperatures, rise too high, a boiling point is inevitable, resulting in an explosive reaction.
Sal’s wall of fame
Sal’s Wall of Fame serves as a constant visual reminder of the racial divide and lack of representation. By exclusively displaying Italian-American celebrities, Sal subtly dismisses the cultural contributions of his predominantly black clientele. This oversight escalates into an issue of contention, leading to the pivotal conflict in the movie. The Wall of Fame is a representation of the cultural erasure and systemic bias faced by the black community. Its destruction during the riot is a symbolic act of rebellion against this exclusion, highlighting the community’s demand for recognition and respect.
Love and hate
The “Love” and “Hate” rings worn by Radio Raheem serve as a metaphor for the societal and personal struggles the characters face. They depict the internal struggle between love, represented by understanding and acceptance, and hate, characterized by prejudice and anger. The symbolic battle between these forces reflects the volatile dynamics within the community. The narrative arc of these rings also mirrors the film’s progression: while Radio Raheem’s monologue about love conquering hate initially offers hope, his death at the hands of the police, a tragic symbol of hate, paints a grim reality.
Music
Music is used in Do the Right Thing to give voice to the community’s struggle. Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” resounds throughout the film, symbolizing the black community’s resistance against systemic oppression. It’s more than just a background score—it becomes a rallying cry that reflects the anger and defiance of the community. This repetition serves as a constant auditory reminder of the unresolved societal issues at hand. The conflict around the volume of Radio Raheem’s radio is also indicative of the clash between individual expression and conformity.
The trash can
The act of Mookie throwing the trash can through the window of Sal’s pizzeria is one of the film’s most iconic scenes. The trash can is symbolic of the pent-up frustrations, racial tensions, and simmering anger within the community. Mookie’s action is not merely an act of vandalism—it is a bold assertion of protest against racial injustice. This act of rebellion, caused by the metaphorical “heat” of the conflict, challenges the status quo and demands immediate attention to the unjust death of Radio Raheem, making the trash can a powerful motif of resistance and call for justice.
Radio Raheem’s radio
Radio Raheem’s boombox serves as an extension of his identity, broadcasting his presence and his defiance against the norms of society. The persistent blare of “Fight the Power” underscores the theme of resistance against racial injustice. When Sal destroys the radio, it signifies a violation of Radio Raheem’s personal space and an outright dismissal of his cultural expression. This act escalates the existing tensions, leading to the climactic confrontation. Therefore, the radio functions not only as a symbol of individual autonomy but also as a catalyst for the events that unfold.
Pizza
In Do the Right Thing, pizza serves as a symbol of cultural interaction and, paradoxically, cultural division. Sal’s pizza joint, a primarily Italian establishment in the heart of a black neighborhood, becomes a meeting point of cultures. However, Sal’s decision to only honor Italian-American celebrities in a place frequented by mostly black patrons underscores the racial disparities. The pizzas, sold to black customers but representative of Sal’s Italian heritage, also symbolize the economic transaction that doesn’t necessarily translate into cultural respect or understanding, reflecting the real-world dynamic often found in racially diverse urban settings.
The neighborhood
The Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in Do the Right Thing is not just a setting—it’s a character in its own right. The neighborhood, with its vibrant mix of racial and ethnic groups, embodies a microcosm of broader societal relationships. The dynamics between the residents, their shared spaces, and escalating tensions serve as a reflection of real-world racial conflicts and complexities. The tight-knit urban setting amplifies the personal and social issues faced by the characters, making the neighborhood a crucial motif in the narrative.
Baseball
Baseball, as a motif in the film, serves as a conduit to discuss racial tension and cultural pride. The sport, considered a quintessential part of American culture, becomes a battleground to challenge racial representation. The debate between Buggin’ Out and Pino over who the best baseball player is, with each arguing for a player of their own race, exemplifies the struggle for recognition and respect within the same national fabric. This motif underscores the racial divide that persists even within shared cultural experiences.
Police brutality
Police brutality is a recurring motif in Do the Right Thing, symbolizing the systemic violence and racial injustice prevalent in society. The unjustifiable killing of Radio Raheem serves as a stark reminder of this societal issue. The scene of the police car driving away after the act symbolizes the impunity often enjoyed by law enforcement in cases of police misconduct. This motif is a grim commentary on the ongoing struggle against racial discrimination and police brutality, resonating beyond the narrative of the film into real-life societal discussions.
Questions & answers about Do the Right Thing
Why won’t Sal put any Black people on the Wall of Fame?
In Do the Right Thing, Sal’s Wall of Fame becomes a focal point of the movie’s racial tension. It prominently features Italian-American celebrities, a fact that Buggin’ Out points out as problematic, given that the pizzeria is situated in a predominantly African-American neighborhood.
Sal’s refusal to put up pictures of black celebrities is a complex issue. It’s not merely an act of racism, but rather, a testament to his personal identity and history. Sal’s pizzeria, including the Wall of Fame, is a microcosm of his Italian heritage, a testament to the figures he admires and identifies with. In a neighborhood that is rapidly changing, it serves as a symbol of stability and tradition, something that he holds onto tightly.
However, this adherence to his tradition comes at the cost of acknowledging the changing demographic of his customer base. His customers are predominantly African-American, and his refusal to represent them on the Wall of Fame could be interpreted as a lack of respect for their culture and contributions.
Sal’s resistance to alter the Wall of Fame is a visual representation of the broader struggle for recognition and representation in the film. It becomes a symbol of racial tension and cultural clash, representing Sal’s unwillingness to fully acknowledge and respect the African-American community that sustains his business. It’s a potent symbol of the unspoken racial divide in the neighborhood, which ultimately escalates to the destructive climax of the film.
Why did Mookie throw the trash can?
Mookie’s act of throwing the trash can through Sal’s pizzeria window is a pivotal moment in Do the Right Thing and has been the subject of much debate. It’s a symbolic act that represents a culmination of the racial tension simmering throughout the film. Mookie’s act of destruction is not necessarily directed at Sal personally, but more towards the system that he sees as responsible for Radio Raheem’s death and the general racial inequality that the community faces.
Several interpretations can be drawn from this moment. Some argue that Mookie is redirecting the crowd’s anger towards property instead of people, possibly saving Sal and his sons from physical harm. Sal’s pizzeria becomes a stand-in for the systemic injustices they’ve been enduring. By targeting the property, Mookie sparks a riot that expresses the community’s rage and grief without directly harming the individuals they’ve associated with the cause.
Others interpret this as Mookie’s personal tipping point, where he can no longer remain neutral amidst the racial tensions. Despite his affiliation with Sal, he identifies more strongly with his community’s anger over Radio Raheem’s death, leading to his drastic action. It’s an act of rebellion against the racial injustices he and his community face, aligning himself firmly with them.
Regardless of the interpretation, this moment underscores the film’s central theme of racial tension and serves as a tangible manifestation of the community’s collective frustration and anger. Mookie’s act is a decisive response to an ambiguous command given earlier in the film: to “do the right thing.”
Now it’s your turn
Have more unanswered questions about Do the Right Thing? Are there themes or motifs we missed? Is there more to explain about the ending? Please post your questions and thoughts in the comments section! We’ll do our best to address every one of them. If we like what you have to say, you could become part of our movie guide!
