Abstract

The filmographies of Black directors Oscar Micheaux and Spike Lee center, among other things, on racial tension, segregation and violence in the black and white communities. Producing films in two different time periods, their cinematography not only differs in technique and intended audience, but also overlaps in content and perspective pertaining to race. How does each director manipulate the audience's sympathies? This presentation will explore two films – Do the Right Thing and Within Our Gates – to compare and contrast the directors’ perspectives upon race in America