Racial Tension Heats Up the Neighborhood

Spike Lee’s film, ‘Do the Right Thing’ deals with racial tension and violence. A 

motley crew of colorful personalities gather in order to appease their misery. With their 

limited opportunities, they search for affirmation. The neighborhood is multi-cultural, 

(African-American, Puerto-Rican, Korean) each misunderstanding the other. During 

their quest to quench the unrelenting heat, due to lack of air-conditioning, the denizens 

open a fire hydrant. Thus, the racial tension begins.

A gang of riffraff hangs out in an Italian pizza joint, which features a ‘wall of fame’. 

In a less than prudent move, it  is determined that an African-American should be 

included in the all-exclusive Italian pizzeria. Sadly, only the movement consists of three 

protesters. 

The owner of the pizzeria, Sal, has a covert intolerance for the African-

Americans. He merely tolerates them because they consider his business a landmark. 

Only when Sal’s patience is pushed to the limit and he emits a racial slur, does the 

situation become violent. Neither side - the Italians or the African-Americans make any 

attempt to reason with or understand the ‘opposing force.’ Sal is attacked. The cops 

arrive, adding fuel to the fire. As one of the African-Americans is killed by the cops, the 

angry mob chases them. The police flee, leaving Sal, Sal’s family, and the raging mob. 

A guy, Mookie, hurls a garbage can through the restaurant’s front window, diverting 

attention from Sal. The mob trashes and burn the restaurant. 

Sal feels betrayed by Mookie, when Mookie only tried to save him. Neither side 

still understood the other. Each felt superior and were unable to let go of pride. Lee’s 

production realistically portrayed existing racial tensions.

-Lisa Silversmith 2014