Do the Right Thing POSC 160 Civil Rights Braunwarth.
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Transcript of Do the Right Thing POSC 160 Civil Rights Braunwarth.
Do the Right ThingDo the Right Thing
POSC 160POSC 160
Civil RightsCivil Rights
BraunwarthBraunwarth
Development of Civil RightsDevelopment of Civil Rights
EqualEqual treatment by government of all treatment by government of all citizens, and guarantees of equal citizens, and guarantees of equal citizenship for all Americans.citizenship for all Americans.
Lofty IdealsLofty IdealsDeclaration of independence: Declaration of independence: allall
men created equalmen created equalBut early FailuresBut early Failures
Constitution: failed to reform slaveryConstitution: failed to reform slavery
Race Politics in FilmRace Politics in Film
Film has long been fascinated by the Film has long been fascinated by the history of race relations; why?history of race relations; why?
Provides conflict, opportunity for Provides conflict, opportunity for underdog following just cause to underdog following just cause to overcome adversityovercome adversity
Favorable to either Whites of BlacksFavorable to either Whites of BlacksOften an venue for the perpetuation of Often an venue for the perpetuation of
negative stereotypes negative stereotypes D.W. Griffith’s D.W. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation, Gone Birth of a Nation, Gone
With the WindWith the Wind, etc., etc.
Reform: laws came into line Reform: laws came into line with our idealswith our ideals
The 'Civil War Amendments'The 'Civil War Amendments'13th: Outlawed Slavery13th: Outlawed SlaveryThe 15th: Extended voting rights to the The 15th: Extended voting rights to the
former slaves and all citizensformer slaves and all citizensWhat was the state of Civil Rights What was the state of Civil Rights
following the Civil War?following the Civil War?Segregation, Jim Crow Laws, Denied Segregation, Jim Crow Laws, Denied
the right to vote, etc.the right to vote, etc.De Jure SegregationDe Jure Segregation
Civil Rights MovementCivil Rights MovementBrown v. Board of Brown v. Board of
Ed’n 1954Ed’n 1954Civil Rights Act of Civil Rights Act of
19641964No more segregation No more segregation
and discriminationand discriminationVoting Rights Act of Voting Rights Act of
1965 1965 armed 15th armed 15th
amendment with real amendment with real teethteeth
Civil Rights MovementCivil Rights Movement
How did the depiction of race on film How did the depiction of race on film change with the Civil Rights Movement change with the Civil Rights Movement and erosion of de jure segregation?and erosion of de jure segregation?
Blacks acceptable as long as not sexual or Blacks acceptable as long as not sexual or powerful (i.e Sidney Poitier in powerful (i.e Sidney Poitier in Guess Who’s Guess Who’s Coming to DinnerComing to Dinner); why?); why?
Films reflect changing politics and fears of Films reflect changing politics and fears of the White majoritythe White majority
White heroic protagonists often White heroic protagonists often substituted for Black collective actionsubstituted for Black collective action
Mississippi Burning, Long Walk HomeMississippi Burning, Long Walk Home, etc., etc.
Civil Rights in PracticeCivil Rights in PracticeFollowing the Civil Rights MovementFollowing the Civil Rights MovementWhite “flight” to the suburbsWhite “flight” to the suburbs
Escape Busing laws designed to end school Escape Busing laws designed to end school segregationsegregation
encouraged by realtors and mortgage lendersencouraged by realtors and mortgage lendersDe Facto SegregationDe Facto SegregationAchieved in Practice what could not do Achieved in Practice what could not do
legallylegallyWe have, to a large degree, segregated We have, to a large degree, segregated
ourselvesourselves
Contemporary EffectsContemporary Effects Disenfranchised inner citiesDisenfranchised inner cities Flight to suburbs was Flight to suburbs was
motivated by both race and motivated by both race and classclass
When middle and upper class When middle and upper class left, they took their left, they took their businesses with thembusinesses with them
Few Economic opportunities Few Economic opportunities remainremain
Especially in post-industrial Especially in post-industrial global economyglobal economy
BulworthBulworth
U.S. Per Capita Income, by U.S. Per Capita Income, by Race and Ethnicity Race and Ethnicity
Structure of SocietyStructure of Society
Differences are not simply a matter Differences are not simply a matter of individual choice but are affected of individual choice but are affected by the structure of the systemby the structure of the system
But it is very difficult to discuss But it is very difficult to discuss larger social forces in our larger social forces in our individualistic societyindividualistic society
Does not mean that these larger Does not mean that these larger social forces do not exist or do not social forces do not exist or do not impinge upon individuals.impinge upon individuals.
Do the Right ThingDo the Right Thing
Intended as a wake-up call to America (note Intended as a wake-up call to America (note Samuel Jackson at beginning)Samuel Jackson at beginning)
Lee wanted to expose the racial tensions Lee wanted to expose the racial tensions simmering underneath the placid appearance of simmering underneath the placid appearance of race relations in the U.S.race relations in the U.S.
Why does this take place on the hottest day of Why does this take place on the hottest day of summer? summer?
Do African-Americans have complete equality in Do African-Americans have complete equality in politics and society?politics and society?
What is necessary to bridge the gap between What is necessary to bridge the gap between races?races?
Lee argues that both sides need to overcome their Lee argues that both sides need to overcome their stereotypical preconceptionsstereotypical preconceptions
How does he try to facilitate that process in this How does he try to facilitate that process in this film?film?
Film as a Reflection of SocietyFilm as a Reflection of Society
After Radio Raheem dies, crowd calls out After Radio Raheem dies, crowd calls out names of Michael Stewart and Eleanor names of Michael Stewart and Eleanor Bumpers, two African-Americans who died Bumpers, two African-Americans who died in 1988 as a result of the use of in 1988 as a result of the use of unnecessary force by the policeunnecessary force by the police
Lee also alludes to the Howard Beach Lee also alludes to the Howard Beach incident in Queens when three black men incident in Queens when three black men were attacked with baseball bats after were attacked with baseball bats after eating at a pizza parlor in an Italian eating at a pizza parlor in an Italian neighborhoodneighborhood
Motivated Lee to make a film about a race Motivated Lee to make a film about a race riot from on African-American perspectiveriot from on African-American perspective
Society as a Reflection of FilmSociety as a Reflection of Film
White youths were not convicted and Police White youths were not convicted and Police are often not convicted for unnecessary use are often not convicted for unnecessary use of force (i.e. Rodney King), why not?of force (i.e. Rodney King), why not?
Must use authority to do their job but also,Must use authority to do their job but also, Perception of blacks as more violent, less Perception of blacks as more violent, less
law-abidinglaw-abiding In part a reflection of depiction of blacks on In part a reflection of depiction of blacks on
filmfilm What is perception of judicial system from What is perception of judicial system from
the perspective of African-Americans?the perspective of African-Americans? How did African-Americans respond to the How did African-Americans respond to the
ruling in the O.J. Simpson case?ruling in the O.J. Simpson case?
Dialectical FormDialectical Form
Film is a constant play of opposite messages Film is a constant play of opposite messages clashing against one anotherclashing against one another
In 1920s, Sergei Eisenstein, inspired by In 1920s, Sergei Eisenstein, inspired by Marx, created cinema involving a constant Marx, created cinema involving a constant juxtaposition of opposites (thesis and juxtaposition of opposites (thesis and antithesis) with the goal of creating a new antithesis) with the goal of creating a new synthesis or higher consciousnesssynthesis or higher consciousness
Lee wanted to liberate audience from fixed Lee wanted to liberate audience from fixed stereotypical images of the conflict between stereotypical images of the conflict between black and white Americans and open their black and white Americans and open their minds to the more subtle awareness of minds to the more subtle awareness of racism in American society and the danger racism in American society and the danger that racism poses to us all; does he do this?that racism poses to us all; does he do this?
Dialectical CinematographyDialectical Cinematography
Eisenstein wrote, “Absolute realism is by Eisenstein wrote, “Absolute realism is by no means the correct form of expression”no means the correct form of expression”
What did he mean by this?What did he mean by this? The greater the disparity between The greater the disparity between
expected proportions and the artist’s expected proportions and the artist’s deviations, the greater the emotional deviations, the greater the emotional powerpower
How is this done with extreme camera How is this done with extreme camera angles?angles?
Da Mayor and Mother Sister, Radio Da Mayor and Mother Sister, Radio RaheemRaheem
Dialectic of Love and HateDialectic of Love and Hate
What about Rosie Perez’s opening dance What about Rosie Perez’s opening dance to Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power”to Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power”
In what ways does the scene contain In what ways does the scene contain clashes of opposites?clashes of opposites?
Male voice/female body, dancing/fighting, Male voice/female body, dancing/fighting, sex/aggression; also stylistic clashes: long sex/aggression; also stylistic clashes: long shots with extreme close ups, extreme shots with extreme close ups, extreme color filterscolor filters
Even seems to be fighting with herselfEven seems to be fighting with herself Film also addresses tensions within races Film also addresses tensions within races
as well as within individualsas well as within individuals How does this scene prepare us mentally How does this scene prepare us mentally
for what is to come?for what is to come?
Set/mise-en-scSet/mise-en-scèènene
Shot on location in Bedford-StuyvesantShot on location in Bedford-Stuyvesant But dialectically countered by the distinct But dialectically countered by the distinct
non realistic theatricality of the clean and non realistic theatricality of the clean and freshly painted neighborhood; why?freshly painted neighborhood; why?
Encourages viewers to confront their Encourages viewers to confront their stereotypical expectations of litter, stereotypical expectations of litter, prostitutes, drugs, violenceprostitutes, drugs, violence
Note how garbage reappears in scenes Note how garbage reappears in scenes after the riotafter the riot
Why all of the warm and hot colors?Why all of the warm and hot colors? Life, vitality warmthLife, vitality warmth Sense of heatSense of heat
Dialectical CinematographyDialectical Cinematography
Two times Lee distorts time with Two times Lee distorts time with overlapping editing (same action overlapping editing (same action twice)twice)
What are they and why these two What are they and why these two scenes?scenes?
Rosie’s Hug and the Garbage CanRosie’s Hug and the Garbage CanEmphasizes two important moments, Emphasizes two important moments,
one attached to love and the other to one attached to love and the other to hatehate
Dialectic ContentDialectic Content
Central Clash is between Mookie and SalCentral Clash is between Mookie and Sal Makes Mookie’s act of violence seem Makes Mookie’s act of violence seem
simultaneously justified and a betrayalsimultaneously justified and a betrayal How does Mookie act as a protector of Sal?How does Mookie act as a protector of Sal? How does Mookie express resentment toward How does Mookie express resentment toward
Sal?Sal? Why does Sal tolerate it?Why does Sal tolerate it? How is Sal exploitive or racist?How is Sal exploitive or racist? How would it have been different if Buggin’ How would it have been different if Buggin’
Out had set off the violence?Out had set off the violence? It would not make as strong an impression or It would not make as strong an impression or
make us thinkmake us think
Dialectic ContentDialectic Content What about the conflict between Sal and Buggin’ Out?What about the conflict between Sal and Buggin’ Out? Sal’s refusal (why?) to bow to the demand for African-Sal’s refusal (why?) to bow to the demand for African-
Americans on the wall of fame indirectly leads to the Americans on the wall of fame indirectly leads to the violenceviolence
Sal says open your own restaurant (other references Sal says open your own restaurant (other references criticizing African-Americans for not opening their own criticizing African-Americans for not opening their own businessesbusinesses
But it’s African-Americans who spend their money But it’s African-Americans who spend their money therethere
Both sides have a point, not necessarily right or Both sides have a point, not necessarily right or wrong, just conflicting ways of looking at the same wrong, just conflicting ways of looking at the same issueissue
Why do both parties get so bent out of shape about Why do both parties get so bent out of shape about this issue?this issue?
Good v. Evil in Good v. Evil in Birth of a Birth of a NationNation
D.W. Griffith’s D.W. Griffith’s Birth of a NationBirth of a Nation was was also a political film that sought to also a political film that sought to justify violence, justify violence,
rioting black soldiers are depicted as rioting black soldiers are depicted as purely evil and the Klan are depicted purely evil and the Klan are depicted as noble and purely goodas noble and purely good
Clear cut victory of good over evil in Clear cut victory of good over evil in racist termsracist terms
Good v. Evil in Good v. Evil in Do the Right Do the Right ThingThing
Lee doesn’t divide characters into good and evil – Lee doesn’t divide characters into good and evil – i.e. Sal, Radio Raheem, Mookiei.e. Sal, Radio Raheem, Mookie
Sal is both racist and tolerantSal is both racist and tolerant Radio Raheem is the victim and martyr but is Radio Raheem is the victim and martyr but is
depicted as an intimidating bully; how so?depicted as an intimidating bully; how so? How would emotive response of audience been How would emotive response of audience been
different if victim were depicted more different if victim were depicted more sympathetically?sympathetically?
Why does Lee make the victim of the white police Why does Lee make the victim of the white police resemble the stereotypical black thug feared by resemble the stereotypical black thug feared by white America?white America?
Through the dialectical strategy of making the Through the dialectical strategy of making the bully the victim, Lee compels the audience to bully the victim, Lee compels the audience to think about the issue on a higher level of think about the issue on a higher level of consciousnessconsciousness
Power v. FreedomPower v. Freedom How do people fight back against power in this How do people fight back against power in this
film?film? Mookie tries to convince Vito to stand up to his Mookie tries to convince Vito to stand up to his
brotherbrother Korean store owner screams back at Radio Korean store owner screams back at Radio
RaheemRaheem But what happens when Radio Raheem fights But what happens when Radio Raheem fights
back against white power?back against white power? Why the close-up of Radio Raheem’s feet Why the close-up of Radio Raheem’s feet
dangling several inches off of the ground?dangling several inches off of the ground? Metaphor for the helplessness and vulnerability Metaphor for the helplessness and vulnerability
of even the most powerful black man in the of even the most powerful black man in the face of institutionalized white powerface of institutionalized white power
Like a lynchingLike a lynching
Violence in Violence in Do the Right Do the Right ThingThing
Does it matter that Radio Raheem is big?Does it matter that Radio Raheem is big? Is this reminiscent of any other films we Is this reminiscent of any other films we
have seen?have seen? What is Lee’s implication about race What is Lee’s implication about race
relations and power in the United States?relations and power in the United States? Interestingly, it is Mookie, who stands by Interestingly, it is Mookie, who stands by
Sal, who deliberately instigates the riot, Sal, who deliberately instigates the riot, why?why?
Many thought the film was an incendiary Many thought the film was an incendiary call for black uprisingcall for black uprising
Does the film tell you what is the right thing Does the film tell you what is the right thing to do?to do?
Violence in Violence in Do the Right Do the Right ThingThing
Is violent retaliation the only way for Is violent retaliation the only way for African-Americans to respond to racial African-Americans to respond to racial inequality and physical oppression?inequality and physical oppression?
Or does it create a self-fulfilling prophecy?Or does it create a self-fulfilling prophecy? Must simply endure like Sydney Poitier?Must simply endure like Sydney Poitier? Two statements at the end of the film:Two statements at the end of the film: MLK: “Violence as a way of achieving racial MLK: “Violence as a way of achieving racial
justice is both impractical and immoral.”justice is both impractical and immoral.” Malcolm X: “I am not against the use of Malcolm X: “I am not against the use of
violence in self-defense. I call it violence in self-defense. I call it intelligence.”intelligence.”
Who gets the last word?Who gets the last word?