Race isn’t what breeds the alienation of gentrification, it’s the position that the new imports take. – Spike Lee
Film-maker Spike Lee was never one to shy away from the issues prevalent in society; instead, he is notable for being outspoken in making both statements and films that are very confrontational. His stirring film, Do the Right Thing, addresses many of the issues – such as (systematic)racism, gentrification, and police brutality- that he viewed around him and that are still prevalent to this day.
In Vanishing New York: How A Great City Lost Its Soul, Jeremiah Moss discusses a very crucial strategy utilized by those in power as a means of keeping themselves on top. This strategy was the implementation of institutional racism; a plan put in motion by the powerful elites out of fear that interracial mixing would pose a great threat to them. By successfully achieving this goal, the elites also pitted immigrants and blacks against one another for limited resources. In the film, this can be seen through the businesses viewed in the immediate area. A Korean family is seen as the owners of a grocery store and at times exchange racial slurs with a Hispanic man living on the same block. The same can be said for the Italian-owned Sal’s Famous Pizzeria – another family-owned store that finds themselves at odds on multiple occasions with the some of the African-American residents of the neighborhood.
The film illustrates a sense of community that while fractured, still had a harmonious feel to it. Mookie, the character portrayed by Spike Lee himself, can be seen walking down the street and pausing to greet people along the way. This can also be seen amongst other people on the street as they interact with one another frequently. Moss points out this loss of community connections and courtesy amongst neighbors. The above quote comes from an article that discusses how Do the Right Thing predicted people’s current frustrations with gentrification. An infamous scene from the film is when Clifton, a white man, bumps into Buggin’ Out and does not excuse himself for doing so. This was a “display of entitlement and obliviousness, as if he was totally unaware of his surroundings.”(Kimble). The man did not apologize until he was called out on what he did, which soon leads to Buggin’ Out cursing out gentrification. Lee uses the term “Bogarting” which he explains as coming in and just taking over. Lee refers to characters such as Clifton as “gentrifiers who move into urban areas without displaying any appreciation for the neighborhoods or their inhabitants.” As gentrification continued on a great scale in New York City, Moss stated that, “haughty hostility has become the city’s atmosphere.”
As Do the Right Thing approaches its 30th anniversary, it is unfortunate that the issues displayed in Lee’s film are still relevant, if not more so than they were then. The cost of living in New York City continues to rise and those with less wealth are being forced out of their homes/stores. Racism and police brutality are an intertwined sick and sad reality that has failed to be eradicated in this day and age. Spike Lee leaves the film open-ended in that he never actually defines what the “right-thing” is. He leaves it to the audience, to the everyday people with their own struggles with racism, discrimination, or frustrations with gentrifications. He leaves it to the people of New York, and of the world, to determine what doing the right thing means for them.
Questions:
- Part of Spike Lee’s motive with this film was to defeat Ed Koch and have him removed from office. He filmed graffiti of “Dump Koch” to the tune “Fight the Power”, and encouraged people to vote through the movie’s radio man. Seeing as Koch’s mayoral run ended in 1989, do you feel that films have a big influence on matters of politics?
- Moss stated that “haughty hostility has become the city’s atmosphere.” and Lee hinted this through Clifton’s obliviousness and disregard for his actions. Do you agree with this? Has New York City become a place where common courtesy is becoming increasingly rare? Or do you find that people still exhibit politeness in everyday interactions?
- Whether in regards to the film or present day, what do you feel it means to “do the right thing”? When viewing and learning about issues effecting us as New Yorkers, do you feel that politicians and those in power are doing the right thing?
