On the night of Aug. 23, 1989, 16-year-old Yusuf Hawkins went with his East New York friends to the predominantly Italian-American neighborhood of Bensonhurst, responding to a used car sales ad. After being misidentified as the boyfriend of a local girl, Hawkins was attacked by an angry mob of young white men, and was eventually shot dead. His death sparked outrage, bringing simmering racial tensions to a boil, leading to an aftermath that engulfed the city as Hawkins’ family demanded justice. Directed by Muta’Ali Muhammad (“Life’s Essentials with Ruby Dee”) the HBO documentary, “Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn,” relives that tragic night that exposed deep racial prejudices which continue to haunt the country today.
Ahead of the opening of Spike Lee’s incendiary ”Do the Right Thing” just a month prior on July 21, 1989, a few mostly white critics predicted that the film’s portrayal of racial divisions in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood might lead to riots.
Ahead of the opening of Spike Lee’s incendiary ”Do the Right Thing” just a month prior on July 21, 1989, a few mostly white critics predicted that the film’s portrayal of racial divisions in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood might lead to riots.
- 8/12/2020
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Similar News
Inside Jonathan Majors’ Two Big Netflix Roles
- 5/13/2024
- by Diedre Johnson
- Tudum - Netflix
Mike Tyson Wanted to Play a Shakespearean role
- 5/12/2024
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Afterburn Starts Filming with Dave Bautista and Samuel L. Jackson
- 5/10/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
7 Best Shows Like Apple TV+’s ‘Dark Matter’ To Watch If You Love The Series
- 5/13/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Rumor: Mark Strong Joins DC’s ‘The Penguin’ Series in a Villainous Role? Who Could He Be Playing?
- 5/13/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
Apple TV+ Reveals New Trailer for ‘Fancy Dance’ Starring Lily Gladstone – Film News in Brief
- 5/8/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay, Lexi Carson and Selena Kuznikov
- Variety Film + TV
Rosie Perez Lost Respect for Jay-Z After Nas Feud
- 5/10/2024
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Denzel Washington Wasn’t the Only Actor Spike Lee Bonded With
- 5/8/2024
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Spike Lee Says He ‘Didn’t Even Know’ What AI Was Until Steven Spielberg’s Film: ‘He Had a Crystal Ball on That’
- 5/6/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.