The subtleties of interactions are amazing here. Note, for example, the racial and ethnic diversity - there are African American blacks, Jamaican American
blacks, Irish American whites, Italian American whites, Puerto Rican Hispanics, Salvadoran Hispanics, Korean Americans, and (by reference) Jewish
Americans. Where are the WASPS? They probably own the brownstones, but
they never show up in the neighborhoods!
I think that Lee sought to show that everybody could be doin' "the right thing" by their own code, and yet the people are still jobless and poor and without air conditioning, and there are larger differences in this society.
"Doing the Right Thing" here means seeking/demanding visibility for minorities that are overlooked, except when they riot. Doing the Right Thing means
operating your restaurant the way you want. Doing the Right Thing means
stopping a violent riot with police force. Doing the Right Thing means insisting on respect for you as a customer and a person (even if you express your person with your music). Each one of these people is trying to do good, and is very human and sometimes falls short. And even that is not enough to provide a
secure life with dignity. Bravo, Spike Lee!
blacks, Irish American whites, Italian American whites, Puerto Rican Hispanics, Salvadoran Hispanics, Korean Americans, and (by reference) Jewish
Americans. Where are the WASPS? They probably own the brownstones, but
they never show up in the neighborhoods!
I think that Lee sought to show that everybody could be doin' "the right thing" by their own code, and yet the people are still jobless and poor and without air conditioning, and there are larger differences in this society.
"Doing the Right Thing" here means seeking/demanding visibility for minorities that are overlooked, except when they riot. Doing the Right Thing means
operating your restaurant the way you want. Doing the Right Thing means
stopping a violent riot with police force. Doing the Right Thing means insisting on respect for you as a customer and a person (even if you express your person with your music). Each one of these people is trying to do good, and is very human and sometimes falls short. And even that is not enough to provide a
secure life with dignity. Bravo, Spike Lee!