“Do the Right Thing” (1989), directed by Spike Lee, is a powerful exploration of race relations and urban tension set on a hot summer day in the predominantly Black neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The film examines the buildup of racial tensions over a single day, ultimately erupting into violence.
As a side note, I was living in NYC then, and the film closely reflects the tension escalating in New York City during that period. From the Tompkins Square Riots in 1988 to the Crown Heights Riots in 1991, there was a palpable sense of tension, and Spike Lee skillfully portrayed this on screen.
The main character, Mookie (played by Spike Lee), is a young Black man who works as a pizza delivery boy for Sal’s Famous Pizzeria, a neighborhood institution owned by Italian-American Sal Fragione (played by Danny Aiello). Sal’s two sons also work at the pizzeria: the racist and short-tempered Pino (played by John Turturro) and the more open-minded, easygoing Vito (played by Richard Edson).
Sal’s pizzeria is frequented by various local characters representing the neighborhood’s diverse population. Among them is the charismatic and eccentric Buggin’ Out (played by Giancarlo Esposito), who takes issue with Sal’s “Wall of Fame” featuring only Italian-Americans despite the pizzeria’s predominantly Black customers. His agitation eventually leads to a neighborhood-wide call for a boycott of Sal’s business.
As the day progresses and the temperature rises, tensions within the community also reach a boiling point. Mookie’s relationships with his sister, Jade (played by Joie Lee), his Puerto Rican girlfriend Tina (played by Rosie Perez in her film debut), and his friends reflect the complex web of loyalties and frustrations. Meanwhile, other key characters, like the elderly street philosopher Da Mayor (played by Ossie Davis) and the neighborhood DJ, Mister Señor Love Daddy (played by Samuel L. Jackson), provide insight and commentary on the growing conflict.
The climactic moment occurs when Buggin’ Out and Radio Raheem (played by Bill Nunn), a local man who carries a giant boombox blasting Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power,” confront Sal in his pizzeria. An argument over the music escalates into a physical altercation, and the situation spirals out of control when the police are called. In a tragic and racially charged moment, Radio Raheem is killed by the police in a chokehold, leading to a riot in the neighborhood. The pizzeria is eventually destroyed by an enraged mob, with Mookie himself throwing the first trash can through the window—a controversial act that sparks debates about his motivations.
The film’s closing moments offer thought-provoking answers. After the riot, Mookie and Sal have a quiet, tense exchange, suggesting that the physical and emotional damage will take time to heal. The film ends with quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, presenting contrasting views on violence and leaving the audience grappling with the complexities of race, justice, and morality.
The film “Do the Right Thing” provides an honest and thought-provoking portrayal of racial dynamics within a multicultural society. At its core, it is a powerful and timeless examination of how racial inequality, frustration, and misunderstanding can lead to violence. The film challenges viewers to consider what “do the right thing” means in such a complex and challenging societal context.
The Other Cinema 