We're all Buggin Out

       At first glance, there are very few characters to which one can relate in Do the Right Thing. Most, if not all, of the characters are filled with a distinct hatred for anything different than themselves. These people lived in a different time than we do now, one of racism and scapegoating. But the truth is, we are all subject to the same human condition: fear and the decision of whether or not to fight that fear by whatever means we find necessary. So while our initial issues may be different, I doubt there is one person who watched the riot scene where Radio Raheem was killed and felt nothing. Black, White, Hispanic, Italian or Jewish, we all have the capacity for empathy, which has no color.
       

       Therefore, despite the fact that few people, fictional or real, can put up with the character of Buggin Out, his righteousness inspires others to take some sort of action, to fight that ever so human feeling of fear. In his case, Buggin Out is fighting his fear of being insignificant, of being unrecognized and unappreciated. This is made clear by his conversation with Sal when he demands that there should be black people on the wall of fame. I personally agree with Buggin Out, I think that all of these people are intertwined more than they know. After all, they grew up on Sal's Famous Pizza.

       But by fulfilling this request, Sal would be consecrating the bond between the members of a new, multiracial community. And at this point in time, they are simply not ready for that because of fear and racism. Much like the weather throughout the whole movie, the racial climate in this community is too hot, and it is coming to its tipping point. There was a choice to be made, either put the pictures on the wall and take steps toward living in peace despite race or previous community bonds, or deny Buggin out his request, deny change.

       While I believe this to be the case, I think that Wendell Berry might disagree. He may say that the Italians are not a part of the community, but rather an outside influence, much like the media is to the modern communities Berry describes. I think that this may be based simply on different ideas of what community is. I believe that it is more based on day to day interaction, and not necessarily different beliefs or cultures. In my opinion, the Italians are just as much a part of that community as Mooky or anyone else. Berry may say that Buggin Out's response is simply the clash of two worlds far from each other. But similar to Mamet's theory, we are too human to be so distant from each other. For better or for worse, all of these people affect one another every day because, whether or not they know it, they are fighting the same human condition, trying to do what is right to live not in fear but in peace and, for most in this case, equality. The riot at the end was not a clash between two worlds, but rather one world correcting itself, adapting based on the fact that Sal wouldn't accept more positive change.