Opening Scene/ Hall of Fame MEANINGS (1) Flashcards
What were some of the lyrics for “Fight the Power”?
“Our freedom of speech is freedom of death”
“Most of my heroes don’t appear on no stamps”
“What we need is awareness, we can’t get careless”
“We gotta fight the powers that be”
“Cause I’m Black and I’m proud”
What could the lyric “We gotta fight the powers that be” mean?
“Powers that be” - Fighting against the systemic racism of White Americans that have targeted African Americans for many centuries.
Public Enemy is calling Black Americans to rise up and to demand for change through resistance & activism.
Symbolism of Tina dancing in opening scene?
Tina, a Hispanic girl used to portray how racial inequality isn’t only white vs black, other ethnic minor groups are also facing discrimination and want to rise against the oppressors as well.
What could the lyric “Most of my heroes don’t appear on no stamps” mean?
Black heroes are not important, they are not in the spotlight like White heroes. Reinforcing the systematic racism
What could the lyric “Our freedom of speech is freedom of death” mean?
Black Americans voicing their own opinions is not allowed, they are oppressed by White Americans who believe they don’t have the right of free speech at all.
What is the importance of Public Enemy to Spike Lee?
Spike Lee asked Public Enemy to write this song for Do the Right thing, it shows his determination in authorship to perfect the message of racial inequality.
Meanings of the Wall of Fame
One sided story being told that White Americans are more superior than Black people. Only White Americans are successful
No African American achieved enough to qualify into the Wall of Fame, promoting racial inequality.
Bugging out’s comment on it was to fight for justice for Black People in a White American Italian pizzeria.
What does Sal say in response to Buggin Out? And the meaning..?
“Free, no free here I’m the boss”. Shows white supremacy whilst intimidating Bugging Out. Looking down on him, as he’s Black.
Holding a Bat aswell
A quote that Buggin Out said about the wall?
“How come there ain’t no brothers on the wall?”
What does Bugging Out say to Mookie as he leaves? + Meaning
“Mook, stay black” - A reminder of his identity and who he is inside, not outside; the external factors like working for Sal, a White Italian American.
Why did Spike Lee paint the wall a vibrant Red?
Anger, heat, intensity that constantly builds throughout.
Bloodshed, and violence could foreshadow the conflicts in communities later on into the film.
What does one of the Red Wall men say?
“If the heat continues, it’s going to melt the polar caps and the whole wide world”
Meaning of the Red Wall man’s quote?
Lee spreading awareness about Global Warming
Also, talking about the conflicting heat that will eventually damage society permanently, because violence always has consequences.
