Violence against grace, racism against diversity, and fame against infamy are only some of the following motifs that put Do the Right thing against Mad Hot Ballroom. Personally, I enjoyed both films but identifying myself with one of them was definitely the challenge.
New York I’m sure is something we all have a point of view on. Whether it’s the Big Apple, or the City that Never Sleeps, everyone has some kind of definition of New York City. However, when we sit back and reflect on our idea of New York, do we think of ballroom dance competitions in public schools? How about racism and boom-boxes blasting Public Enemy’s “Fight the power”? I definitely did not have any idea of this. New York is a city with so many features that they end up being fused into one general idea. That is why when I saw Mad Hot Ballroom and Do The Right Thing, I was definitely in for a New York outside my element.
New York in Mad Hot Ballroom is one that is somewhat recognizable. A very quiet and calm neighborhood with several apartment buildings is one thing that I am used to. As the film is documented, I noticed that nothing much seemed to go on within the neighborhood. If this is the case, how come these children knew so much about different topics such as divorce and infidelity? It makes you wonder how much has happened over time and what is going on in the neighborhood itself. To be exposed to certain things and experience so much at a young age would be very hard. As a result of these hard times, I think that dance was used for the children as a means of comfort. I mean whenever we go through tough times, how many of us want to find an escape? How many of us want to flee from that overwhelming stress that we have. That is why I think providing schools with the opportunity to dance was important, it gave them the chance to not only have some recognition but to find an escape from other problems. The children could now have the grace it comes to dancing and the fame it comes to winning dance titles. Dance allowed them to see a New York that was totally different from what they and even I was used to.
Do the Right Thing was different than Mad Hot Ball Room in all aspects. Turbulence, racism, and violence are but a few of the ideas that revolve around this film. You wonder what kind of New York is portrayed here and it may not be as easy as first. First Spike Lee portrays a typical melting pot of a neighborhood, an area filled with different races. In Mad Hot Ballroom you do see more than once race portrayed, but it is documented in a way that displays them living separate lives. They would go from the Spanish group and then to the Caucasian schools throughout the film. In Spike Lee’s film, there is coexistence between races that heightens racial tension and violence. We see diverse New York neighborhoods almost from borough to borough, but in reality do we suspect tension? I know I did not in the least respect. I would never think that New York would have any kind of tension in diverse neighborhoods. Even though Spike Lee shows a geographical community, they are not bonded in anyway. It is more of an ethnic community, in which different groups are established by race. Sometimes I have seen several ethnic communities associate only with those of their own race. That is something that has not changed in New York for some people. In the film it is this that created the heightened racial tension as seen when Buggin’ Out wanted African Americans on Sal’s Wall of Fame. He wanted his race to be recognized and glorified and when it was not it led to violence.
Mad Hot Ballroom did not have any violence within its film but it shows a certain kind of community. Different races that came together bonded by dance. They have established a dance community, before if these kids were put together they would not give the other the time of day. They would push each other away,but now they have created a community based on dance which is so nice to see. It reminds me of my graffiti experience, I used to not give it a second look but I established a community with those who viewed the art as well for its beauty.
Now from these two films what concept of New York can be familiar to me? It was hard but when you look at it, you realize how similar it is. One aspect of New York is Sal’s Pizzeria. Now I am not talking about the New York food being the same but I am referring to common places. People of all races not caring about people’s flaws or differences, but just coming together to have a good time or even some food. That is the New York I know. In Do the right Thing that is how Sal’s Pizzeria was used. The blacks and spanish would come together to eat pizza, the only time there was no animosity. I go to places filled with different races just to have a good time that is what is known to me. That is my New York.
