Do the Right Thing

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

In the text, as well as the class discussion, the main topic of the racial issues brought up in Do the Right Thing and the controversy around it came up repeatedly. The conversation started off with discussion of Birth of a Nation, and how blacks were depicted during that time in very underrated and stereotypical roles. In addition, we talked about how Sidney Poitier was one of the first filmmakers to start to show black actors/actresses in a new light where they played established and professional characters. Unlike Poitier, Spike Lee did not necessarily show any of his characters in a profound role or in a “upstanding citizen” type way, but he gave the audience something much better than that… the truth about how blacks were actually treated during that time and how others really viewed them, but he told the story in such a way so that the black community could have a voice instead of others creating one for them and casting them in the shadows.

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content. 

The article that I chose is Matt Haber’s “The Little Known Story Behind ‘Do the Right Thing’”. This was a lengthy telling that’s starts with the early stages of Do the Right Thing when it was only to be called Heat Wave. Maneuvering through the preliminary years of Spike Lee’s career, Haber spoke of the goals Lee had for the film, and the things that would need to happen in order for Lee to be recognized instead of wiped under the rug. In addition, Haber tacked on a heap of information that brought to life the kind of upbringing Lee had and acknowledging Lee’s early works like Last Hustle in Brooklyn and She’s Gotta Have It. After giving the readers an enthralling but brief description of Do the Right Thing and the themes it encompasses, Haber went on to tell of how the project unraveled. Unfortunately, Haber points out that Paramount did not want to fund the project because of what may come from it and the response the audience may have to watching such a film that was bold enough to tackle some of the biggest issues at the time. In closing, Haber took time to the acknowledge the film for what is was, and give credit to Lee for a piece that would not only pave the way for others to come, but also live on to continue penetrating future generations forever.

***Link to article used*** 

Haber, Matt. "The Little Known Story Behind 'Do the Right Thing'" Mental Floss. 28 June 2015.Web. 01 Mar. 2016. <http://mentalfloss.com/article/57249/little-known-story- behind-do-right-thing>.

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.  

Haber’s article definitely helped to broaden my perspective of Do the Right Thing. The moment the end credits came up on the screen, I wasn’t too sure how I felt about it. In the moment, I could why the film was made, and the message that Lee was trying to get across, but for some reason I couldn’t get myself to say “I like this” right away. I believe this hesitation came from a place that was so shaken by everything that had just taken place on the screen, and by how unnerving the film was. Honestly, when Haber commented that Paramount thought the film may make white audience members feel uncomfortable, I actually agreed to an extent because I wholeheartedly believe that in certain situations it takes making someone feel out of place to get them to realize/see the entire truth even if they still choose not to believe it afterward. Through reading the article, I grew to love the movie more and more despite the fact that it was very depressing. It is real and raw and that is the beauty of it.

4) Write a critical analysis of the film.

My first thought, after reading more about the movie and really giving myself a chance to think about it, was to call the film timeless. I wanted to acknowledge that its themes, storylines and cruel situations mirror what is going on in the world today. On the other hand, the world depicted in Do the Right Thing is not one that I’d ever wish for and everyday I wake, I am hoping for change. I don’t want this film to be something that years from now, my children can still relate to the world that they live in. Instead, I want the world to be able to see a film like this and look to their world and see a vast difference from the hate and atrocity, but sadly that is not our reality yet. Instead of calling this film timeless, I will simply acknowledge and appreciate all that it has done so far in communities across the world. I will recommend this film to no end, helping people to realize not just the fact that it was a great film, but what it means for a film like this to just… be.

1) ( x ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class.

2) ( x ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper.

3) ( x ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text.

4) ( x ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper.

5) ( x ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read.

6) ( x ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography.

7) ( x ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality.

8) ( x ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.