Do the Right Thing
Spike Lee’s 1989 film Do the Right Thing takes place on the hottest day of the year in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. Lee wanted the look of the film to “be bright … almost blinding AFROCENTRIC bright!” Carter took Lee’s direction and used the costumes to reflect the styles of the time and place, with Mookie, Tina, and Radio Raheem dressed in vibrant reds, yellows, and greens that nod to Afrocentrism and bring energy to the film.
The film addresses themes of racial tension and police violence that, unfortunately, remain relevant today. Do the Right Thing was inspired, in part, by the racially motivated death of Michael Griffith, who was hit by a car while fleeing a mob of Italian-American men, and the killing of Michael Stewart, a graffiti artist who was severely beaten while in police custody; the cause of death was disputed but was likely due to a chokehold. The final scene of Do the Right Thing shows quotations by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., advocating peaceful protest, and Malcolm X, advocating violence as self-defense, followed by a photograph of both civil rights leaders shaking hands.
Film details
Do The Right Thing, 1989
Character Tina played by Rosie Perez
Materials
Cotton knit, elastic belt, leather shoes and gloves
Credit
Courtesy of Ruth E. Carter Costume Archive
Film details
Do The Right Thing, 1989
Radio Raheem, played by Bill Nunn
Materials
Cotton with paint, cotton, leather accessories Shoes: Nike Air Revoluntion
Credit
Courtesy of Ruth E. Carter Costume Archive
Notes
Radio Raheem’s gold LOVE and HATE rings, produced at the Fulton Street Mall in downtown Brooklyn, are a reference to the 1955 film, The Night of the Hunter. In the film, the actor Robert Mitchum tells a story of the struggle between love and hate illustrated by his tattooed knuckles. In Do The Right Thing, Radio Raheem tells a similar story to Mookie with his custom rings. The scene takes place with Public Enemy’s song, Fight the Power blaring in the background.
Raheem’s colorful, hand-painted t-shirt was created by a Brooklyn artist named NaSha at Carter’s request. The slogan “Bed Stuy Do Or Die” hints at the thematic of neighborhoods, belonging, and gentrification.
Supporting Imagery
Supporting Imagery notes
Photographer Jamel Shabazz is known for his street style photographs that capture the feel of 1980s Brooklyn hip hop culture. This image, 'Young Bloods' from 1982, shows a kid playing music on a "ghetto blaster" or boombox. Long before ipods and iphones, boomboxes, were portable music devices.
Film details
Do The Right Thing, 1989
Character Mooki played by Spike Lee
Materials
Synethic, leather accessories. Nike Air Trainer3
Credit
Courtesy of Ruth E. Carter Costume Archive
Notes
For Mookie’s look, Carter worked closely with Spike Lee. He picked out the bowling shirt and Carter customized it with an embroidered logo for Sal’s Famous Pizzeria. The shoes, Nike Air Trainer III Medicine Ball sneakers, were brought to set by Lee, who had by 1989 already directed several commercials for Nike.
Supporting Imagery
Supporting Imagery notes
1988 Magazine Advertisement for Nike Air Trainer SC featuring Bo Jackson. In the film Spike Lee wears a pair of Nike Air Trainers from the SC line, in the Medicine Ball colorway. Later the name was changed to Nike Air Trainer III.
