“Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today. I want to be a part of it.. New York, New York.” (Frank Sinatra. “Theme from New York, New York.” New York, New York. Capital, 1997. Audiocassette.)

“And since I made it here, I can make it anywhere; yeah they love me everywhere… In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of there’s nothing you can’t do. Now you’re in New York, these streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you.” (Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys. “Empire State of Mind.” The Blueprint 3. Roc Nation, Atlantic, 2009. MP3.)

“South side Jamaica, Queens where its crazy.” (Nicki Minaj featuring Drake. “Moment 4 Life.” Pink Friday. Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Motown, 2010. MP3.)

There are so many songs about New York. So many movies. So many stories about going to New York to make a name for yourself, to become famous, to have a fresh start. In class we’ve watched quite a few films, each of which relates in some way to a lyric listed above. Some have been moving, some have bored me out of my mind, and I thought some were so stupid that I’d rather be dumped into a bin of toxic waste.

Each movie presented a different perspective on the New York lifestyle. Some depicted the greed, class differences, and power struggle while others presented a view of the crime, racism, stereotypes. On the other hand, some even painted an ethereal and dreamlike picture.

By far, my favorite movie we’ve watched is Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing. Before class, I’d heard of the movie and seen some short clips (mostly those played whenever I’d watch the Black To The Future specials on VH1), but all I knew was that it was about what goes down on the hottest day of the summer in Brooklyn. But boy did I have some feelings about this movie.

As many of you may have noticed, if not from my video blog or my brown skin, I’m black. And this movie struck a chord with me for that very reason. At this point, too many black lives have been taken cruelly and meaninglessly. And honestly, some of the commentary made in class was really bothersome and opened my eyes to the reality of how some people think. The fact that some people were more sympathetic and upset about Sal’s business being burned down than Radio Raheem dying appalled me. That’s a human life! A living, breathing, feeling person lost their life and all some people were concerned about was Sal’s pizzeria?!?!? Calm down guys, he’ll probably get an insurance check; don’t even lament the fact that someone lost their life, because it’s no big deal, right? And this isn’t still happening today, right? No way!

YES WAY! Here are just a few of the unarmed black men killed this past summer:
Eric Garner, age 43, Staten Island New York, July 17, 2014
John Crawford, age 22, Beavercreek, Ohio, August 5, 2014
Michael Brown, age 18, Ferguson, Missouri, August 9, 2014
Ezell Ford, age 25, Los Angeles, California, August 11, 2014
Dante Parker, age 36, Victorville, California, August 12, 2014

Do The Right Thing showed the harsh reality of the situation for young black people not only in New York, but pretty much everywhere in America. Being black means that I can’t leave the house without my ID (less so than if I were male, but still important). It means that I always have to be extra careful, and always be on the lookout. I have to receive a speech from my parents damn near every time I leave the house. I really hope I don’t have to give my children that speech one day.

 (Sargent, Ben. Still Two Americas.  Comic. GoComics. 26 August 2014. Web. 23 Nov 2014.

The reality of the situation is that (a) police use an extensive and excessive amount of brutality and (b) there is a complete and utter disregard for black lives in America.

On a brief side note, another thing that people just don’t seem to understand is Buggin’ Out’s passion about getting black people on the wall of fame. I cannot tell you how much representation for young black people matters. All I’ll say is that it’s not so great growing up and seeing a bunch of white people on the wall or having a Eurocentric idea of beauty. Personally, I can understand Buggin’ Out’s strong feelings about the situation, I probably wouldn’t have gone about it the same way, but I definitely understand. I’m proud to live in a time where we can see a black Cinderella, or a black Annie, and black ballerinas in the American Ballet Theater; I don’t need to hear or read opinionated comments about how those characters aren’t black.

Call me an oversensitive black girl, but this movie really hit home. And more people need to pay attention. And I think actor Jesse Williams said it best, “…every time a black person does something, they automatically become a thug worthy of their own death…” So what Radio Raheem caused a scene? So what he was a nuisance? For God’s sake, even after he was killed, he the police continued to kick and assault him! He was a person and his life should be valued. BLACK LIVES MATTER.