Do the Right Thing is an iconic film released in 1989. Directed and written by Spike Lee, it highlights racial tensions in New York City’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood. The film features a host of memorable characters and powerful quotes that are still relevant today. These Do the Right Thing quotes explore themes of racism, violence, and family dynamics, and challenge viewers to think about how their choices can shape their lives.1. “It’s like a jungle sometimes, it makes me wonder how I keep from going under.”
2. “Hey, you take care of yourself and forget the rest.”
3. “Bed-Stuy is Brooklyn. Brooklyn is New York. New York is the United States of America and the world.”
4. “Wisdom is what’s in front of you right now, knowledge is what you learn from then on.”
5. “You can’t just break down people’s spirit, because when you do that, they’re not human anymore.”
6. “Every day I walk around the street, I see brothers and sisters who are in despair but won’t show it. They put on a face like everything is alright, but it ain’t though. It ain’t though!”
7. “A man has got to have a code he can live by and die by…and mine is: Do The Right Thing!”
8. “You don’t have to be scared of me; I’m not gonna do nothing to you; unless you do something to me first; then all bets are off! But until that time comes: be cool! Relax!”
9. “I don’t give a damn about no riots; all I want is for black folks to have some of the same opportunities as white folks! That’s all I want! That’s all we’re fighting for!”
10. “If we had more understanding between us we’d probably have more love between us too.”
Do The Right Thing – An Overview
Do the Right Thing is a 1989 American comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by Spike Lee. The story follows a Brooklyn neighborhood’s simmering racial tension, which culminates in tragedy on a hot summer day. The film stars Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro and Samuel L. Jackson. Do the Right Thing is arguably Spike Lee’s most iconic work and earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay in 1990.
The film focuses on a single day in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. It follows Mookie (Lee), an African-American pizza deliveryman who works at Sal’s Famous Pizzeria alongside his friend Radio Raheem (Jackson) and other characters from the neighborhood. Racial tensions between characters reach a boiling point when Sal (Aiello) refuses to put up a picture of African-American activist and boxer Muhammad Ali in his pizzeria. This ultimately leads to violence between different groups of people living in the neighborhood and culminates in tragedy.
Do the Right Thing is an exploration of race relations that highlights the importance of understanding one another’s perspectives and opinions. It also serves as a comment on police brutality against black people and comments on institutional racism that still exists today. The film has been praised for its use of cinematography to capture the heat of the summer day as well as its use of music to effectively set moods throughout each scene.
Lee’s Do the Right Thing has remained an important work since its release over three decades ago due to its relevant themes that can still be seen today as well as its powerful performances from each cast member. It stands out as one of Lee’s most iconic films and has helped shape conversations about race relations around the world.
Do The Right Thing
The 1989 film “Do the Right Thing” directed by Spike Lee is an iconic representation of racial tensions in America. The movie follows a day in the lives of an African-American community living in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. It explores the complexities of racism and prejudice and how it affects individuals, their relationships, and their communities. While this movie was released over 30 years ago, its themes are still relevant to society today.
The characters in “Do the Right Thing” experience racism throughout the movie, which is unfortunately still an issue that many people face today. From subtle comments and microaggressions to more overt acts of racism, there are still far too many instances of people being treated differently due to their skin color or ethnicity. This type of discrimination can have serious consequences on individuals and communities, just as it does in the movie.
The film also highlights how misunderstandings can lead to violence when tensions are high and people lack understanding or empathy for one another. This is a theme that has been seen time and time again throughout history, including recently with protests against police brutality fueled by a lack of trust between law enforcement and minority communities. It is important for individuals to try to be more understanding of one another in order to prevent these types of conflicts from escalating into violence.
“Do The Right Thing” also tackles issues like gentrification and class divisions within minority communities which are still present in society today. Gentrification often leads to displacement as well as a loss of culture within certain neighborhoods, something that is seen clearly in Lee’s film when Mookie’s pizzeria is destroyed due to racial tensions between two rival gangs. This can create further divides among members within a community who may already have different perspectives on social issues such as race or politics.
Through its powerful story and engaging characters, “Do The Right Thing” remains one of Hollywood’s most timeless films exploring racial injustice and inequality in America today. While some aspects have certainly changed since 1989, many of the themes remain just as relevant now as they did then.
Famous Quotes from ‘Do The Right Thing’
Do the Right Thing is a 1989 American comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by Spike Lee. It stars Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Richard Edson, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, and Samuel L. Jackson. The movie was nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Original Screenplay and for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama. It is widely regarded as one of Lee’s greatest films and has become a cult classic. Here are some of the most famous quotes from Do the Right Thing:
“It’s not just about being black or white; it’s about doing right.” – Mookie (Spike Lee)
“Hate can’t drive out hate; only love can do that.” – MLK (Martin Luther King Jr.)
“Always do what you feel is right.” – Sal (Danny Aiello)
“The only thing that can turn a man into an animal is hate.” – Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn)
“Racism isn’t born, folks; it’s taught.” – Da Mayor (Ossie Davis)
“The truth is on the side of love.” – Mother Sister (Ruby Dee)
“There ain’t no future in yo’ frontin’.” – Buggin’ Out (Giancarlo Esposito)
Analyzing the Characters and Quotes in ‘Do The Right Thing’
Do The Right Thing, Spike Lee’s 1989 classic, is a film that is filled with memorable characters and quotes. The movie follows the lives of several people living in a Brooklyn neighborhood, as they grapple with racial tensions and conflicts. Each character offers their own perspective on the issues, and their words help to further develop the themes of the film. Here we will look at some of the quotes from Do The Right Thing that stand out and analyze how they help to further explore the themes of racism, violence, and justice.
One of the most iconic quotes from Do The Right Thing is delivered by Buggin’ Out (Giancarlo Esposito). After being told he cannot sit at a restaurant that only displays pictures of white celebrities on its wall, Buggin’ Out screams, “This wall is whack! Where’s my wall? Where’s my brothers and sisters up on this wall?” This line serves as a powerful statement about racism in America: it speaks to how black people are often excluded from representation in mainstream media. It also highlights how white supremacy has been institutionalized and normalized throughout American culture.
Another powerful quote comes from Mookie (Spike Lee), when he says “Sometimes you have to do something wrong for the right reasons.” This line speaks to Mookie’s inner conflict over whether or not to join in on the riots that erupt after Radio Raheem (Bill Nunn) is killed by police officers. It serves as a reminder that sometimes even moral people can be driven to do immoral things when faced with injustice or oppression.
Finally, there is Sal (Danny Aiello), who delivers one of the most heartbreaking lines in Do The Right Thing: “I look around me and I see all these strangers; I don’t know who they are or where they come from…and then I realize they’re my neighbors.” Sal’s words serve as an acknowledgement of how racism has divided communities and caused people to lose sight of their shared humanity. His words also serve as a reminder that we must strive to build bridges between different communities if we are ever going to create lasting change.
The characters and quotes featured in Do The Right Thing offer insight into some of the most pressing issues facing society today; racism, violence, and justice. From Buggin’ Out’s demand for representation to Sal’s plea for understanding between different communities, these characters speak volumes about what it takes for us all to “do the right thing”.
Unforgettable Quotes from ‘Do The Right Thing’
One of the most iconic films of the late 1980s, Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing has become a classic for its powerful messages and unforgettable quotes. Here are some of the most memorable quotes from the movie:
“Hey, hey, hey, it’s not about you. It’s about everybody.” – Radio Raheem
“The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it’s still on my list.” – Mookie
“Hate can’t drive out hate; only love can do that.” – MLK Jr.
“I’m not a bigot, but there are certain elements that I don’t want in my neighborhood.” – Sal
“We’re all black. Black ain’t nothing but a color.” – Buggin’ Out
“It ain’t about how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” – Radio Raheem
“This is our family store, and we don’t want no trouble here today.” – Da Mayor
“Hey baby, I like your style!” – Pino
Do The Right Thing
Doing the right thing in any situation is one of the most important aspects of living a meaningful life. It means doing what is morally right and just, even if it is not easy or convenient. It means standing up for what is right and speaking out against injustice. Living by the meaning behind “Do The Right Thing” quotes can help us to stay focused on our values and beliefs and guide us through difficult decisions.
Be Honest
Honesty is a key factor when it comes to doing the right thing. Being honest with yourself and others can help to ensure that you make decisions based on your true values rather than trying to get away with something that may not be in your best interests. Being honest also requires being open-minded and willing to listen to different points of view before making a decision.
Consider All Perspectives
When faced with an ethical dilemma, it is important to consider all perspectives before making a decision. This includes looking at the potential consequences from all angles, including any unintended ones that may arise from your decision. It also means understanding that there may be different opinions on what constitutes an ethical action, so listening to different views can help you make a more informed decision.
Think Before You Act
It’s important to take some time to consider all angles before making a decision or taking action in any situation. Taking time to reflect on the choices you have can help you make sure that you are doing what’s right for everyone involved in the situation, including yourself. Acting impulsively or without thinking often leads to regretful decisions, so taking a moment to pause and think can save you from having remorse later down the line.
Make A Plan
Once you have considered all perspectives and taken some time to think about your options, it’s important to make a plan for how you will proceed with doing the right thing. Having a plan in place helps ensure that you stay focused on your goal of doing what’s best for everyone involved and makes it easier for you to follow through with your intentions without feeling overwhelmed by the task ahead of you.
Living by the meaning behind “Do The Right Thing” quotes requires commitment, courage, and consistency but can ultimately lead us towards living meaningful lives full of integrity and honor.
Impactful Lines From ‘Do the Right Thing’ Movie
“Do the Right Thing” is an iconic movie from 1989 that has left a lasting mark on American culture. The movie was written, produced, and directed by Spike Lee and stars Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, John Turturro, and Rosie Perez. The movie follows the story of a day in the life of a Brooklyn neighborhood as racial tensions rise between the black and Italian-American communities. Throughout the movie there are many powerful and impactful lines that have stayed with audiences for decades. Here are some of the most iconic lines from “Do The Right Thing”:
“It’s gonna be a hot summer.” – Radio Raheem
“You ain’t never gonna be nothin’ more than what you are right now.” – Buggin Out
“I’m black, you’re white. You’re gonna be judged by the color of your skin.” – Mookie
“Wake up! Wake up! Time to go to work!” – Da Mayor
“It’s not about who’s right or wrong, it’s about doing what’s right.” – Sal
“This is my home; I’m not leaving!” – Mother Sister
These powerful words still resonate today and remind us of the importance of doing what is right despite our differences. “Do The Right Thing” continues to inspire generations of people to stand up for justice and equality.
Conclusion
Do the Right Thing is a landmark film that has stood the test of time. Its powerful messages of self-discovery and racial harmony are as relevant today as they were at the time of its release. While Spike Lee’s classic film may be nearly 30 years old, its words of wisdom still hold true for us today. Whether it’s about standing up for yourself, being true to your beliefs, or fighting injustice, Do the Right Thing offers valuable life lessons that will continue to shape generations to come.
In short, Do the Right Thing is a powerful movie that contains many thought-provoking quotes and lessons that can be applied to all aspects of life. From its captivating dialogue to its poignant themes, this timeless classic will continue to entertain and inspire viewers for generations to come.