WAKE UP, WAKE THE FUCK UP!

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It was 1989 and I was going into my sophomore year of college. There wasn't a whole lot you could tell me. I was a dance major studying under the masters in the field and I was unveiling a host of new experiences that made me feel quite worldly. I'd seen Spike lee's, "She's Gotta Have It" after seeing a tiny add in my local newspaper when I was 16. My sister and I were excited at the notion of a young black director from NY debuting a film. We were very at odds back then, my sister and I. She is 7 years my senior, beautiful, feminine and an Ivy league grad. I was always into her things like her sweaters from London or her lipstick, but mostly her 7 pack of Dentine gum she always had stashed in her secret hiding place.


 I was the worst of all little sisters. I stole from her, lied about doing it and got away with everything she was punished for. My bother, Brian would steal on her whenever I complained, and you know I always put extras on it. But on that day, we were going to see Spike's film. Together. That was a proud day for my mother who usually had to pull us off of each other in a death grip. I don't need to tell most of you what that film did for our generation, as it was beyond pivotal. So when "Do the Right Thing" was debuting, we already knew what to expect from Spike. While "School Daze" made every black kid wish they had gone to a black college, "Do The Right Thing" gave you the platform to revolt.
There were so many issues that Spike tackled in that film while Public enemy raised the bar for soundtracks and how they could set the tone for a generation. Being pigeon toed was the new bow legged thanks to Spikes' character and the “Mookies” around the world felt the best of themselves. And as if that wasn't enough, the then unknown DJ Samuel Jackson delivered lines that would be heard around the world. "WAKE UP, WAKE THE FUCK UP!" Spike was a ripe 32 and this was only his third release, yet this film captured the essence of the racial tension in America most directors wouldn't touch in their glory years. How many of you demanded more parmesan on your pizza and scoped your neighborhood praying to find the 3 cats on the corner talkin' all kinds of realness? I was too young to truly comprehend the gravity, layers and context of much of what I saw that day. Much like a recipe book passed down from your grandmother, which was passed down from her Mudear, this film became one of our cultural heirlooms.

Speaking of Mudear, mine would wonder how we went from Spike to Tyler Perry? She would be so puzzled, challenge his cultural references and uproot that family tree immediately. Why? Because it’s a short cut at the expense of very precious history and women who have lived long enough to know better. His range or lack there of is exactly what we don’t need more of. It’s hard enough to constantly dispel the stereotypes that follow us like shadows, he could at least soften the blow by giving his actresses decent wigs. Is this how he sees black woman? Mothers? Matriarchs? Clearly. Which is why I have to say Spike was way ahead of his time on so many levels. I can say the same for my late Mudear would was far too dignified to go anywhere without a long-line bra or girdle.

So... if ever I meet Mr. Perry, I'll be sure to get really close to him and whisper, "WAKE UP, WAKE THE FUCK UP!" But not too close, I wouldn't want to get hit with one of his prosthetic breasts.