Do The Right Thing Flashcards
(38 cards)
What political party was in power of the time of the release?
Republican Party under the George Bush Snr.
What effects of the Republican Party have on the people?
“Roll back period” described as. This is because political & social conservatism. Attack on welfare programmes & rise of traditional values. Also it created a divide within the whites and minorities as the party played on white fear to get elected. Creating and presenting damaging stereotypes.
Who was Koch?
The mayor of New York City.
Why was there a wall of graffiti saying “Dump Koch”?
K = Stifle black culture. He was anti - graffiti & to stop it he put wire fencing & dogs.
Lee called D’mayor in order to challenge & mock Koch.
What does the graffiti Tawana told the truth referencing too?
“Tawana told the truth” = Tawana Brawley rape in 1987. = group of white men abducted her & sexually abused her for 4 days. Then returned her in a bin bag. Didn’t go to trail and no one was prosecuted.
When was Do The Right Thing released?
Summer of 1989
Why is Do The Right Thing an important text in African - American cinema?
‘New black film wave’ ➕ director Spike Lee
Issues dealt with racism, inter-communal conflict, gentrification, poverty ➕ police brutality.
Still = relevance (society)
Who was Willie Horton and why did he become so important to the presidential campaign of 1988?
WH - jailed without possibility of parole (Armed robbery ➕ stabbed teenage 19 times + dumping him in the bin)
Life sentence received 10 weekend passes from prison “furlough”.
On pass - kidnapped a man and raped his girlfriend.
Exposes the bad practices
Effects of the Willie Horton ad?
Michael Dukakis 1988 - presidential run.
Minorities crowded prisons - increased racism in Republican Party.(fear through stereotypes.
What did the Republican Party present to American with the Willie Horton ad?
George W Bush against Michael Dukakis
Racist stereotypes still upheld
Fear mongering
“Dukakis not only opposes the death penalty, he allowed first degree murders to have weekend Passes from prison” - Narrator
People were outraged that the only man who looked up at the camera was a black man.
In NYC in 1989 who was Koch and why are we being asked to dump Koch?
“Dump Koch” - Lee’s hopes - outcome of Mayor elections
What immediate political change was Lee hoping to achieve through the film? Koch
Dislike Koch
Y = ❎ black culture - k = anti-graffiti ➕against black culture.
Koch introduced barbed wire ➕ armed police dogs by railways. Use to stop people by trains a black man died at the hands of one the coppers.
The use of the graffiti “Tawana told the truth” referred to throughout the film what message was Lee trying to convey?
1987 “Tawana told the truth” - taken ➕ abused = 4 days. By a group of white men. Then returned home in a bin bag. Grand jury found evidence against her claim, but no justice served.
A nod to the problems in the justice system
Howard beach
why do you think Lee added that in?
Howard Beach - inspiration for set of film.
“Howard Beach = 🇮🇹 neighbourhood. 2 black people were beaten to death with a baseball bat.
Shedding light on crimes on minority communities aren’t being persecuted properly. ➕ underling race issues that are still prevalent.
Mookie is seen wearing a jackie Robinson ‘42’ baseball shirt. What is the significance of this player to the context of the film and the character Mookie?
Jackie Robinson = 1st AA in Baseball
‘42’ ⬆️
Jackie Robinson day 15th April 2004 - every player = wear ‘42’
R= non-violent, influences culture ➕ civil rights movements.
1st black television analytic
1st president of major of corporations
1960’s helped establish freedom nation bank in Hareem New York
What are the ideologies ➕ themes presented?
Malcom X violence = defence Martin Luther King = non-violent protest
Awareness on rascial issues AA Y ✖ justice
Presenting stereotypes ➕ debunking them
🗣 = minorities challenge views
1989 racially ➗
Explain the piano scene ?
Difficult to wait
Aggressive
Zoomed onto close ups breaks the fourth wall. Each character makes a racist. Illustrates the underlying racist sentiments brought to the surface
The final conflict after Radio Reeham is chocked by the police officer, how does Mookie present his alignment with Malcolm X?
Mookie picks up the bin ➕ throws it through ~ 🍕 window “Howard Beach’’ ‘‘To fight the power”’- Radio Reeham’s 🎵.
Neutral - 🎥 end MX
How does Malcolm X Do the Right Thing and Martin Luther King come through in the film?
All different ways of protesting.
Da Mayor ‘says to him you know what Malcolm X said do the right thing’
What title does Spike Lee have?
Auteur
Writer, producers, director
List the cast?
Sal Da Mayor Mother Sister Vito Buggin' Out Mookie Radio Raheem Pino ML Coconut Sid Sweet Dick Willie Jade Officer Ponte Officer Long Clifton Tina Smiley Hector Kim Mister Senor Love Daddy
Where is the film set?
What is the period of time?
Black neighbourhood in Brooklyn New York
Hottest day of the year
Discuss the opening montage of Do The Right Thing?
Rosie Perez dancing to fight the power Red light flashing Blue leotard - end blue light Red boxing gloves Aggressive facial expressions Plane landing non- diegetic sound
What does Radio Loves dialogue “wake up wake up up you wake up you wake” convey to the active spectators in the opening sequence?
Agenda right away
Post modern in approach
