Do the Right Thing

This movie was difficult to watch for me. I cannot stand racism. In fact, there are only two subjects that I get outwardly angry and offended by, and racism is one (sexism is the other). Immediately my mind started racing. Was racism that outward and horrible in Brooklyn in the late 1980's? If it was then, how much has it changed now? Unfortunately, I am ignorant when it comes to these questions because I live in a happy little suburb where racism is still a problem, but I do not witness race riots or anything like that.

This brings me to the question of, did Mookie do the right thing by throwing the trash can in the pizza parlor at the end of the movie? I'm not sure. If Mookie did not throw the trash can throgh the window, the crowd might have inflicted violence towards Sal. On the other hand, it may have blown over after a lot of yelling, or the police might have stopped the fight. But, do I blame him for being that upset? Not at all. In fact, I really blame Radio Raheem more than anything. If Radio Raheem had not started all of the violence by choking Sal, then he would probably still be alive and a lot of things would have been avoided. Yet, I also blame Sal for being so racist in the first place and losing his temper.

Overall, this movie left me feeling upset, annoyed, frustrated, and confused. I can see why it is an important film to see, but I don't think I will be watching it again.