Fight the Power and Do the Right Thing

I chose this song not only for the message of it, and because Module 14 is for rap music, but also because of its connection to one of the best movies I've ever seen, Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing (1989). Released by Public Enemy, the song was single and was asked as a request for Spike Lee, who they've worked together on other projects before, as a musical theme for his film. 

The song acts similar to the protest songs of the NWA, in that it is meant to protest the inequality towards the African-American community at the time. The song was released the same year as the film, 1989. During that decade, racial tension had already begun to form, at which point, Public Enemy rose to fame. The group tackled political, media, and of course, race related issues with their music. Making them a perfect fit for Spike Lee's new movie. 

The song works as both a protest song and an empowering song. Lyrics like Lemme hear you say, Fight the Power, Lemme hear you say, Fight the Power, We've got to fight the powers that be, are meant to empower members of the black community to take action and rise up. However, lyrics like Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps, Sample a look back you look and find nothing but rednecks for 400 years if you check, were meant to be criticisms of America ignores the struggles and inequality the black community faces. Acting as a double edged sword.

In the context of the film, it mirrors the events that happen on screen. The song is primarily heard through the boombox of Radio Raheem, who plays the song none-stop, wanting all to hear. This maybe what Spike Lee's intention is for this song and it's themes, for all to hear it. Even after the boombox is destroy, the song still plays. For everyone to hear the message Public Enemy and Spike Lee are trying to say. Look at what is happening in the black community. This is enforced in the film's climax when Radio Raheem is killed by police, and although there are a bunch of witnesses, nothing is done. The police who murdered him walk away. You must fight the power, when faced with inequality.