'Do the Right Thing' - Dialogue

From the very beginning of Spike Lee’s ‘Do the Right Thing’, dialogue seems to take a racial stance; from Buggin’ Out’s “Stay black!” comment to the three unemployed men on the corner (Sweet Dick Willie, Coconut Sid and M.L.) talking down to the Korean corner-store owners. Spike Lee uses dialogue to his advantage to illustrate reality. Lee’s film depicts a typical Brooklyn neighborhood in the late 1980s and the problems facing its interracial residents. Personally, it is hard to relate to this film. I am a 90s-child, and since my very first day out of the womb, I’ve been rockin’ the suburbs with the rest of my generation. However, my eyes have truly been opened to facing of racial degradation after watching ‘Do the Right Thing’.
The profanity, vulgarity, and rudeness in this film, makes Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” a far leap from joining ‘Cinderella’ or ‘Finding Nemo’ in the Disney vault. It can be expected that in every scene, curse words delicately fly around as if they are terms of endearment. The films message is not to offend with improper words, but to emphasize the outrageous truth of unsuccessful communication between the races. In several scenes, disrespect takes the stage as the people of different races argue over simple matters. Spike Lee used these scenes to depict the severity of racism leading to violence.
Despite the over use of every other known profane word, the “N-word” is not a common word used. Society throws a plethora of combined words and racial slurs, some worse sounding then others, but the “N-word” is kept silent. A great depiction of this in the film is when each member of a different race or ethnic background rambles off about someone of a different race or ethnic background other than their own. Stevie, a Puerto Rican living in the small suburb, passionately describes the Korean store owners, as well as the entire Korean race, as, “me-no-speak-American, own every fruit and vegetable stand in New York, Reverend Moon, Summer Olympics ’88, Korean kick-box(er).” Then oh-so friendly police officer responds, describing the Puerto Rican as, “Goya bean-eating, fifteen in a car, thirty in an apartment, pointed shoes, red-wearing, Menudo, medameda Puerto Rican(s)...” Spike Lee, shows the diction that the society uses to show the audience the reality of not only what people actually think and say but to also show them how words cause stereotypes and segregation.
Senor Love Daddy, the commentator of the story and the MC of LOVE radio, is the peace maker of the small suburb of Bedford-Stuy Brooklyn. His diction in the opening scene creates the tone of the film, giving the viewers a half open eye of what to expect. Spike Lee uses Senor Love Daddy to depict racism in the society, giving a buffer and a safety zone to fall back upon when things get rough. “Cool Out,” a phrase often used to keep the peace has a stronger meaning then the actual definitions within. As a watchful eye over the popular hangout and eating place, Sal’s Pizzeria, Senor Love Daddy see’s all and tries to keep control of things. Though when things begin to get out of hand and the glass shatters, Senor Love Daddy is stuck behind the glass and is left to observe the falling out of the small suburb. From his window at the radio station, he witnesses the riot and sits in outrage not knowing how to react. “My people, my people, what can I say, say what I can. I saw it but didn’t believe it, I didn’t believe what I saw. Are we gonna live together, together are we gonna love?” After the riot, Jackson says this quote in disbelief of the outcome of the community’s hatred. It seems that through the film his messages go unheard. He tried to keep peace between the races but their hatred had overpowered their sense. Whenever Jackson spoke, the views could sense his desperation for love and acceptance and when he speaks after the riot; his feeling of defeat is very evident.
Radio Raheem, another central character of the film, carries around a large stereo which constantly blares Public Enemy’s ‘Fight the Power’ while Raheem blares out on his own toward some of the neighborhood locals, such as Sal and the corner-store Korean’s. Mid-film, Raheem releases a power-house on his friend Mookie when he tells his story of ‘Love’ and ‘Hate’ (taken directly from 1955s ‘The Night of the Hunter’)…

“RADIO RAHEEM: I just copped them. Let me tell you the story of Right-Hand--Left-Hand--the tale of Good and Evil. HATE! (He thrusts up his left hand.)It was with this hand that Brother Cain iced his brother. LOVE! (He thrusts up his right hand.)See these fingers, they lead straight to the soul of man. The right hand. The hand of LOVE! The story of Life is this... (He locks his fingers and writhes, cracking the joints.) STATIC! One hand is always fighting the other. Left Hand Hate is kicking much ass and it looks like Right Hand Love is finished. Hold up. Stop the presses! Love is coming back, yes, it's Love. Love has won. Left Hand Hate KO'ed by Love.”

It is this speech which projects throughout the rest of the film, bringing up several questions about the neighborhood and their actions.
“Fight the power” is the popular song played many times throughout this Bedford-Stuy Brooklyn set film directed by Spike Lee. “Do the Right Thing” is an ethnically diverse film based on the differences of race and extremities of hatred. When Sal, the local pizzeria owner, is harassed by Buggin-Out about his all-Italian Wall of Fame, Buggin-Out decides to protest against it with his only follower, Radio Raheem. Violence soon erupts at the restaurant as Sal, and his sons are pushed to their boiling points as well as their breaking points. Once the cops arrive, chaos breaks out and Radio Raheem is killed. Left in disbelief, the riot continues and the angry citizens of this community burn down the pizzeria. Hate and racism takes over their lives and defeats all forms of love.
Through ‘ Do the Right Thing’, Spike Lee gives his audiences the chance to make their own decision of what the ‘right thing’ is by using dialogue as an aid for understanding the meaning behind his films immense diversity. At the end of the film, two quotes appear on the screen; one by Martin Luther King Jr. and the other by Malcolm X. Martin Luther King explains that violence leads nowhere, where as Malcolm X says violence is okay as long as it is self defense. Two completely different quotes, yet both are ever so powerful. Lee uses these two quotes, allowing the audience to judge what the right thing to do really is.

I typed this up. It is a combination of Cassie, Erin and my paper, with a few added ideas from Sam and Brittany's.