The excerpt “How Bigger Was Born” connected to Buggin’ Out because of his call to action in Sal’s pizzeria. Richard Wright discussed his encounters with multiple Bigger’s in the world and how they carry rare personality traits. People who resemble Bigger never accept defeat or follow orders from a superior race. In Do The Right Thing, a white owner named Sal would not put any members of the black race on his wall of fame. Buggin’ Out decided to follow the theme of struggle for progress and argued the fact that black people should be on the wall of fame not just white Americans. Richard Wright uses a quote to describe Bigger, “And again I’d hear Bigger Thomas, far away and long ago, telling some white man who was trying to impose upon him: I’ll kill you and go to hell and pay for it.”(444) Buggin’ Out resisted Sal’s orders to leave his restaurant and wanted a proper excuse to why brothers aren’t on the wall. Buggin’ Out like Bigger stood up for what he believed in even if it involved standing up against a white man. Buggin’ Out also compares to Bigger because of their similar responses toward dominant civilization. According to Richard Wright, “Second, he was trying to react to and answer the call of dominant civilization whose glitter came to him through the newspapers, magazines, radios, movies…”(434) Buggin’ Out did not want to eat his meal surround by the white race looking down upon him on the wall of fame. Bigger and Buggin’ Out strongly disagreed with the white race which controlled civilization. Buggin’ Out can also be referenced to as a Native Son to our country for being able to voice his opinion and wanting to develop a new culture within the pizzeria.
At the end of the film I felt sympathy for Sal and his two sons. I don’t believe Radio Raheem and Buggin’ Out’s actions were the right thing to do. Even though Sal used offensive words and disallowed black people on the wall of fame, I truly believed he was a good man to the community. His pizzeria lasted 25 years in the town and always welcomed people no matter what race they may be. Radio Raheem and Buggin’ Out initiated the disputes by being loud and obnoxious in his restaurant. Sal has the right to do what he wants in his restaurant without the public’s opinion. Vandalizing Raheem’s radio was also not the correct path to go in which started the physical fight. Sal should not be held responsible for Radio Raheem’s death once the police get involved. Buggin’ Out and Raheem asked for trouble by causing a ruckus in Sal’s pizzeria. Once the community starts destroying Sal’s restaurant that is when it gets out of control. His restaurant has fed tons of people within the town and they should not have burned down his restaurant which was so dear to him.
