Prior Film Experience 

The Prior film experience I chose to look back upon is the critically acclaimed film; "Do The Right Thing". The 1989 blockbuster was directed by a young Spike Lee and became a staple for racially charged films such as "Schindler's List"(1993) and "Django Unchained"(2012). The movie begins with the opening scene of supporting actress Rosie Perez first dancing to the unofficial NAACP anthem and later to Public Enemy's "Fight the Power". This scene is so memorable because of the the elaborate use of symbolism to show the change of black culture. As the slow, graceful, melody of James Weldon Johnson's "Lift Every Voice" turned into the thumping bass of " Fight the Power" exhibits the aggressive, "Never Say Die" attitude that sets the tone of the mindset of the Black man during the 1980's. Perez's exchange of  ballet-esque routines for hard hitting hip-hop dancing and shadow boxing accompanies the song to visually show the change in black culture. The following scene shows Love FM radio host Mr. Senior Love Daddy sets the mood with a peaceful description of Bed-Stuyvesant that is quickly ruined by by bed-stuy local, Radio Raheim blasting "Fight the Power" in his boombox. This initiates conflict between Raheim and other various bed-stuy residents showing how one person can turn a good place into a bad neighborhood.While Raheim can be very aggressive, he has good intentions and this can be shown through his choice of music. Although his music causes a disturbance, the lyrics of the song talks about the community coming together and fighting the powers that be. In this case the powers that be are the shackles of oppression the white man has put on the community. The message is strong and in your face just like Raheim and the community didn't understand the message. It took Raheim to die for bed-stuy to come together and turn back into the neighborhood that Mr. Senior Love Daddy described on Love FM.