I missed the first part of the movie due to work and have been unable to find a copy of it in order to watch it in it's entirety. The last half of the movie I watched in class on Tuesday and it left me quite disturbed. First off, I've never really examined race relations in America and wasn't aware of the manner in which generations of American's have treated African-American's. This movie, if viewed with the correct perspective, highlights the discrimination visited upon a cultural group, along with the utter disregard for humanity in another cultures perspectives. Secondly, this movie is a form of entertainment, made to send a message, yes, but also a means in which to make a profit. I have never seen a Spike Lee movie, but now having experienced one, I recognize the importance of his statement, yet disagree with the manner in which it was made. He seems to be making money while making a mockery of himself, short-changing his culture and highlighting the racial divides among our country. I walked away from this with a feeling that he wants that divide there, needds it there in order to continue making his cultural comments.
As for the Trickster, I believe I missed the boat on the definition of this character. I see the Trickster as someone using knowledge for personal gain, not enlightenment. I guess I have a mind that is twisted towards the deviant, but in my experience, those that are playing with definitions and withholding information, are generally so self absorbed, they forget that they are a small role in a large production and fail to see the damage they create through their actions.
I think this is particularly well-said:
ReplyDelete"I recognize the importance of his statement, yet disagree with the manner in which it was made. He seems to be making money while making a mockery of himself, short-changing his culture and highlighting the racial divides among our country. I walked away from this with a feeling that he wants that divide there, needds it there in order to continue making his cultural comments."
I'm not sure that I agree with your take on Lee's motives, though. I think he might be forcing us to watch our past so that we have an immediate and emotional response to it, and the response (hopefully) will inform our understanding our actions today.
That said, I think I understand what you're arguing, and I definitely see that point.
The Trickster figure is a hard one. Sure, he uses knowledge for his own advantage, and in that way he's a selfish figure. But he also brings enlightenment to the masses through his trickery, and in that way he is selfless. The Trickster is a paradox, a walking bundle of contradictions, and just as soon as you think you have him figured out, he changes shapes and disappears. I always think of the end of "The Usual Suspects" as a great example of that.