The Debate Over ‘Jungle Fever’ : PRO-NJERI
T imes staff writer Itabari Njeri’s commentary on Spike Lee’s film “Jungle Fever” (“Doing the Wrong Thing,” June 23) has prompted an outpouring from readers, with responses supporting Lee outnumbering those supporting Njeri about 2 to 1. A sampling:
A Meaningful Critique
Thank God and Itabari Njeri for a meaningful critique of the mean-spirited and racist “Jungle Fever.” I am infuriated by the white press’s adoration of Lee.
Her more complex understanding of black-white love--as love --uplifted me and made me want to say, “Hey, Spike. Where’s your heart?”
Njeri distilled in one sparkling moment the problem with “Jungle Fever”: It does not illuminate the “mental and emotional chaos raging in America over color and culture” but merely fans the flames of xenophobic racism.
ALEX DOWNS
Los Angeles
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