School Daze

School Daze

In 1988, a movie came out that raised the eyebrows of African Americans in every social class, and at every age. That movie was Spike Lee’s “ School Daze” and it was his second film as a director. The film touched on several issues within the black community that no other film dared to address. Lee broke new ground with this film and it did not go unnoticed. Critics in the black and white communities took notice of the messages, but of course they were received very differently. The black approach to the movie would understandably be very different; the experience would hit closer to home. It was easier for the black eye to see the humor when it was intended and the seriousness when it was appropriate. “School Daze” addresses several issues within the black community and through African American criticism they can be brought out and examined. Using this form of criticism allows the critic to take a look from several different angles and throughout ...