Do The Right Thing Analysis

In the film, Do the Right Thing, Rosie Perez (Tina), became a well-known figure in one of the greatest films of all time. She played Mookie’s (Spike Lee) ostentatious girlfriend. Tina’s character allowed viewers' reactions to the issues of classism. Many were offended claiming that this is not a positive representation of who Latinos and African Americans. I would conclude that Spike Lee believed that any classist or racist response would only come from White people, but it didn’t.

Do the Right Thing, opens with Tina, dancing to the song by Public Enemy “Fight the Power.” She is seen wearing vibrant, colorful dancewear; then red boxing gloves and a black and white boxing robe. The colors of the robe symbolize the black and white races, and the red boxing gloves represent the rage and fury between the two races. The use of symbolism sets the stage for the
However, Tina represents a society of the woman who are pursued by men at an early age with empty promises! At first, the film compromised women regarding their reputations. Nevertheless, concerning the times, women were required to spend their time performing their maternal duties. The resentment of these stereotypical female roles matches the quality, or lack thereof, male trustworthiness and loyalty.

In regards to the climax of the film, did Mookie do the right thing? My answer is that nobody does the right thing; not Sal, not Buggin' Out, not Mookie, and certainly not the New York Police. People who are decent and good, often do the wrong things at the wrong time. Roger Ebert wrote, "Lee does not ask us to forgive them, or even to understand everything they do, but he wants us to identify with their fears and frustrations. Do The Right Thing doesn't ask its audiences to choose sides; it is scrupulously fair to both sides, in a story where it is our society itself that is not fair."