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?