Topic > The embodiment of the civil rights struggle in Do the Right Thing

Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing is a touching film that provides insight into the ongoing civil rights struggle against racial profiling, the brutality of policing, systematic racism and discrimination. Do the Right Thing is a Grammy and Golden Globe nominated film known for its unique and controversial take on different cultures and races within a community. On the hottest day of summer, tension increases as the temperature gradually rises. The heat of the summer rays accumulates until the intensity becomes unbearable and uncontrollable, giving rise to violent tendencies and actions. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Sal, played by Danny Aiello, is an Italian-American man who owns Sal's famous pizzeria; one of two activities evident in the community. Sonny, played by Steve Park, is a Korean-American entrepreneur, known for his fruit and vegetable business. One of Sal's most prized pizza delivery men is Spike Lee's infamous character Mookie; the protagonist of Do the Right Thing. Mookie is a young African American who works for Sal. Although Mookie is a quiet man who delivers pizza for a living, he always seems to be at the center of community gossip. Essie Davis plays the role of Da Mayor, a troubled black man who embodies an alcoholic drunk. On the other hand, Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn) is an African American who doesn't have much to say. Wandering the streets of Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, Radio Raheem carries a large stereo that plays Public Enemy's Fight the Power over and over again. Although Radio Raheem is a quiet man, his music serves as his voice and saying. Do the Right Thing embodies the ongoing struggle and civil rights movement regarding police brutality, racial profiling and stereotyping. This film was a harbinger of events that occurred after the release of Do the Right Thing in 1989. Rodney King, an unarmed African-American man, was beaten to death in 1991 after four officers stopped Rodney for speeding. A year later, in 1992, a four-day riot broke out in Los Angeles after the four officers were found not guilty of the murder of Rodney King. Similar to the Rodney King case, Michael Brown was subjected to racial profiling and police brutality in August 2014. Unarmed and surrendering, an officer shot Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. After the murder of Michael Brown, an African American, protests erupted in favor of justice for Michael and to combat continued racial profiling and police brutality against people of color. Spike Lee does an amazing job of visualizing racial tension in the heat of a summer day. Although this is a controversial and emotional topic, Spike Lee uses contrast and confrontation between racial heat and tension, in order to enhance the public's perception of racial profiling and police brutality. As the temperature rises, tension increases among the citizens of the culturally diverse community, until inter-racial violence erupts within the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. While Spike Lee does an amazing job of demonstrating the film's historical context and deserved rating, its entertainment rating is much more muddled. If audiences were expecting a satisfying ending to Do the Right Thing, they were wrong. Traditional films often end with a conclusion, where the audience is provided with a rewarding conclusion to a film's plot. However, Spike Lee decided that a.