The racial controversies depicted in Spike Lee’s film Do the Right Thing are unfolded in a vivid form, which is depicted in the confrontation of characters and the opposition of love and hate. These virtues are portrayed as the two manifestations of distributing power in society, while hate representing bad people appears to dominate. Throughout the film, Radio Raheem constantly plays the song “Fight the Power,” the meaning of which is in the justification of self-defense in the unjust world where racial disparities prevail. One of the quotes from the song holds that “now that you’ve realized the pride’s arrived, we got to pump the stuff to make us tough” (Lee 00:01:57-00:02:08). In this lyric, the author correlates pride and toughness as the two intertwined concepts where violence and the ability to fight for your power help restore justice.
The quote from the song “Fight the Power” sounds in accord with the quote of Malcolm X, which is presented at the end of the film. In particular, Malcolm X stated that “you and I have to preserve the right to do what is necessary to bring an end to that situation;” Malcolm X is “not against violence in self-defense” (Lee 1:53:07-1:53-11). This quote reflects the message of Radio Raheem’s words and music since both advocate for confrontation and demand power to gain justice since racial inequality had been built on violence.
Given the context and complexity of the film, Spike Lee was trying to portray inequality in a harsh manner to demonstrate that oppression and discrimination should not be tolerated. Doing the right thing is fighting, delivering one’s position even in an aggressive way, and restoring justice. The director views love and hate as inherent parts of a multiracial society, with the two continuously being in opposition.
Work Cited
Do the Right Thing. Directed by Spike Lee, Universal Pictures, 1989.