Do The Right Thing Quote Discussion

"... I have to preserve the right to do what is
necessary to bring an end to that situation, and it doesn't mean that I advocate violence, but at the same time I am not against using violence in self-defense. I don't even call it violence when it's self-defense, I call it intelligence."
- Malcolm X

Malcolm X's views on self defense, as observed from this quote and many of his other speeches can  relate clearly to the screenplay of Do The Right Thing. The members of the community were not violent until police violence killed Radio Raheem. The pain and frustration lead them to destroying Sal's pizzeria. Radio Raheem and Buggin' Out were not violent with Sal until Sal destroyed the boom box with a baseball bat. Once the angry mob moved to the Korean Store Owner, who was non-violent, they spared him any destruction. Malcolm X's quote and his ideas count violence as a necessary part of self defense. The community in Do The Right Thing used violence as a way to express their anger after seeing their friend murdered in front of them. The racial tensions of 1980's Brooklyn weighed heavily on the members of the community. Even Mother Sister, who is a well respected member of the neighborhood was said to have joined the mob, after a lifetime of oppression and violence, to stand up for herself and the people in her community.
In this Malcolm X video he speaks about how African Americans are peaceful people, but once violence is committed against them, they will retaliate. The question is which side is doing the "right thing?" Personally, I think that it was not feasible to keep peace between African Americans and their violent, white oppressors. Malcolm X's views are realistic; if someone is hurting you, defend yourself, even if that includes using violence.

Children in Brooklyn, 1980's