The Obamas Congratulate Spike Lee on the 25th Anniversary of ‘Do the Right Thing’

Instagram and Facebook are understandably lit up with pictures of Dave Chappelle, Erykah Badu, Chuck D, and more from the blowout Bed-Stuy block party in Brooklyn Spike Lee hosted Saturday, June 28, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his classic film, Do the Right Thing. But our country’s two most important people got in on the celebration the night before.

Out on the West Coast, Lee was on hand for a special anniversary presentation of his film at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where he signed books and participated in a Q&A about the film moderated by John Singleton, who was inspired to become a filmmaker in part by Lee’s films. Cheryl Boone Isaacs, the first Black president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, introduced Lee. Casting director Robi Reed, production supervisor Preston Holmes, Roger Smith, who played Smiley, Richard Edson, who played Vito, and hip-hop legend Chuck D, who penned the film’s anthem “Fight the Power,” were also on hand to share insights about the pivotal film. Right before the film screened, Lee unleashed a huge surprise on the overflow crowd: a message from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

“Sorry, we can’t be with you today,” began President Obama, “but we wanted to congratulate Spike and all of you on the 25th anniversary of Do the Right Thing.” Then the First Lady chimed in that “Do the Right Thing was actually the first movie we saw together, on our first official date.”

Later in the video, President Obama offers more praise to Lee as well as a reflection on the film’s continuing significance and impact. “So Spike, thank you for helping me impress Michelle, and thank you for telling a powerful story,” he continues. “Today, I’ve got a few more grey hairs than I did back in 1989. You don’t look like Mookie anymore. But Do the Right Thing still holds up a mirror to our society, and it makes us laugh, and think and challenges all of us to see ourselves in one another.” The First Lady also reminded all that the great Ruby Dee, who recently passed, was also a part of the film, in her closing remarks.

Although loved by the film elite today, that was not the case at the time of its June 30, 1989 release. Many in the industry worried that a $6 million independent film from a polarizing Black director like Lee about racial tensions in the United States would ignite real-life tensions, with some theaters shying away. When that proved untrue, it was practically ignored at the Oscars, garnering just two nominations: Best Supporting Actor for Danny Aiello, who played Sal, and Best Original Screenplay for Lee. It was not even nominated for Best Picture, which was ironically awarded to Driving Miss Daisy.