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The White Out · 10-28-2007, 06:02 AM

I just watched this movie on tv, and wow, it blew me away. I really missed out when I was younger.. but that being said.. how much can you appreciate a great film at 11?

Anyways, sorry for not having a quote, but, roughly paraphrasing, Spike Lee said that only white people ask if Mookie was right to throw a trash can thru the window at the end, because they're secretly or at least inwardly saying the loss of a white mans property is more important to them than loss of black life. However, if you examine this a little further, you will find it amazingly hypocritical when you consider Radio Raheem attempts to murder Sal over his radio being busted (black property, white life). The cops arrive, and one of the cops clearly steps over the boundaries, and murders Raheem (excessive force).

Further examining the ending, I think Mookie acted horribly. He betrayed Sal, someone who in the film talked about being proud to feed the black youth as they grow up on his food, someone who clearly is more tolerant than he. Mookie tossed the trash can thru the window, and later, after the pizzeria is burned, one of the rioters posts a picture of MLK and Malcom X(I think thats who they are anyway). Sal didn't murder Radio Raheem, yet a riot is incited in response to an "innocent" black death. I put quotes around innocent because, if I go into someones store and try and choke them to death.. I clearly am taking my life into my own hands when someone tries to stop me. This magical movie moment, glorifying a riot, is insanely irresponsible, and really bothers me. It's not a victory for the black neighborhood, it's a blemish.

Spike Lee presents the rioters as heroes and civil rights trailblazers. He presents an attempted murderer(over a radio), killed by police, as some sort of martyr. I admit, I have a very big problem with this movie, and I think it only goes to widen our difference (racially).. encourage white fear of blacks, and black hate of white people. At the very least, I believe Spike Lee to be at the core, just a smidge racist towards white people.. and the movie.. while terrific.. sort of .. or really.. racist.

10-28-2007, 06:02 AM	#1
The White Out Lifetime Suspension Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tuscany Exp:	Do the right thing, a Spike Lee "joint" I just watched this movie on tv, and wow, it blew me away. I really missed out when I was younger.. but that being said.. how much can you appreciate a great film at 11? Anyways, sorry for not having a quote, but, roughly paraphrasing, Spike Lee said that only white people ask if Mookie was right to throw a trash can thru the window at the end, because they're secretly or at least inwardly saying the loss of a white mans property is more important to them than loss of black life. However, if you examine this a little further, you will find it amazingly hypocritical when you consider Radio Raheem attempts to murder Sal over his radio being busted (black property, white life). The cops arrive, and one of the cops clearly steps over the boundaries, and murders Raheem (excessive force). Further examining the ending, I think Mookie acted horribly. He betrayed Sal, someone who in the film talked about being proud to feed the black youth as they grow up on his food, someone who clearly is more tolerant than he. Mookie tossed the trash can thru the window, and later, after the pizzeria is burned, one of the rioters posts a picture of MLK and Malcom X(I think thats who they are anyway). Sal didn't murder Radio Raheem, yet a riot is incited in response to an "innocent" black death. I put quotes around innocent because, if I go into someones store and try and choke them to death.. I clearly am taking my life into my own hands when someone tries to stop me. This magical movie moment, glorifying a riot, is insanely irresponsible, and really bothers me. It's not a victory for the black neighborhood, it's a blemish. Spike Lee presents the rioters as heroes and civil rights trailblazers. He presents an attempted murderer(over a radio), killed by police, as some sort of martyr. I admit, I have a very big problem with this movie, and I think it only goes to widen our difference (racially).. encourage white fear of blacks, and black hate of white people. At the very least, I believe Spike Lee to be at the core, just a smidge racist towards white people.. and the movie.. while terrific.. sort of .. or really.. racist.