Do The Right Thing

I want to start by saying this was my favorite movie of Art of Film this year. I thought it was unique how Spike Lee was able to not just push one side of the issue of racism, but rather to show a possible real life conflict from both sides.

The question I have thought about is whether Sal is a racist. On one hand, he has providing a business in a very tough neighborhood, and is subject to tough conditions. Though, Sal doesn't have any pictures of African Americans on his wall. This for me does not make him a racist. I believe Sal is a racist because of his idea that he is superior than African Americans. He has every right to run his business the way he wants to. At the same time, I really believe Radio Rayhem's death was not Sal's fault. Radio Rayhem entered his business blaring music. Sal took it to the next step by smashing his radio. Radio Rayhem then took it took a physically harmful level when he threw Sal over the table. After the brawl was sorted out, the cops killed Radio Rayhem. I don't think it is right to blame Sal for Rayhem's death. It was a fight that had been brewing up for a while, and escalated fast. Sal was a racist, but was not responsible for Radio Rayhem's death in my opionon. In terms of the cops, there is never an excuse for what they did.