Thursday, February 27, 2014

Spike Lee Statement On Whites Moving Into Black Neighborhoods


Here is his statement:



Anonymous said...

Spike Lee makes some awesome movies. But I do believe he's got some reverse racism in him. I've met him in person years ago and this struck me as true then too.

His anger is misdirected -- it should be toward the city for not picking up the trash. Not toward the white mothers and babies. I wouldn't fault him hugely for it -- there is a reason to be angry. but -- it's not the new neighbor's fault, absolutely agreed.

You'll get no argument from me on this one.

Anonymous said...

It's not reverse racism. It's racism.

Anonymous said...

Beyonce never has white men in her videos.

Anonymous said...

black toward white racism is usually called reverse racism. but fair enough -- it's racism.

Anonymous said...

Spike is racist.
Disliking a whole group because of skin color=racism.

Nic said...

Spike Lee is rich, yet he talks like he's not educated, disenfranchised and harbors anger and resentment towards white people who he places at a "higher level". He sounds racist.

As recently as the 80's crime was an epidemic throughout Manhattan and its boroughs. (Times Square was full of druggies, pick-pockets, prostitutes, etc.) Race had nothing to do with who was victimized/robbed, etc. Whomever carried a purse/wallet/wore headphones were a 'mark'.

Even today, I know people who have visited Manhattan and refused to use the subway.

Anonymous said...

Shouldn't he be happy that the areas that he's talking about now have police available, trash pick up, and whatever else he's so (ironically) mad about?

Trigger said...

"When you see white mothers pushing their babies…"

Is he referring to single mothers on welfare who are moonlighting to increase their income by "pushing" drugs that are hidden in baby strollers?

What he is saying doesn't make sense.

Anonymous said...

I didn't even look at it that way until I read your comment Claire. I then read the post again. Good point. There's a difference between being racist and expressing an observation, although his track record may lead people to question it's accuracy. Anyway, there's generally no room for debate here. I guarantee he deletes both our comments.

Princess Buttercup said...

Peter -

Would you do an analysis of the letter sent to Tim Miller from the alleged killer regarding the Texas Killing Fields? I just saw an episode on 48 Hours about this case and thought that the letter which is a series of words taken from magazines, etc. would be good to analyze.

Anonymous said...

Agree with Claire.

Nic said...

Claire said:
He is clearly saying that it took white people moving into the area to get an improvement in services. It´s an observation.

"white people" moving into the neighborhood didn't improve services, Claire. The MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT improved services for the TAX PAYERS (read residents) via MUNICIPAL TAX DOLLARS they pay semi-annually.

Both home owners and renters (via their rent money that the landlord pays on tenants behalf) pay taxes.

Municipal dollars pay for
*garbage pick-up
infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, lights)
social services

Spike Lee is rich and a leader of his community. Conversely, he is ignorant and demonstrative of his own prejudice... against "white people" insinuating that the black community wasn't good enough for whom to make improvements to living conditions in the neighborhoods he cites. When the truth of the matter is, the improvements had to have been made FIRST before people, be they black, white, hispanic, ect., felt safe enough to live in the communities.

Ignorance beget racism and a whole host of attitudes that make a group feel disenfranchised. Spike Lee is a leader. His time and position would be better spent encouraging his community to improve THEIR OWN situation by getting a good education and pursuing a CAREER, rather than perpetuating/fueling resentment against a another community that ARE NOT responsible for the choices/consequences they had no say.

Nic said...

In addition to above, interesting that Spike Lee doesn't own a (part-time) residence where he grew up. He would be a beacon for his community (If you work hard, you can be 'me'".) At the same time, he would be in touch with the real societal problem which is apathy. Instead he chooses to play the blame game.

We are each responsible for **ourselves**, first. Accept responsibility for the choices/decisions we make for OURSELVES and then find a way to make a (better) way.

USA said...

Nic, shut up. Do you still live in Canada? No need for you to try to educate us Americans on American lifestyles.

rob said...

Spike Lee said Tyler Perry's work was "coonery and buffonery". Yet he shows blacks as drug dealing killers. Ain't no making Spike happy. He don't like nobody.

Nic said...

USA, are you saying that racism is an "American" lifestyle? I can assure you, it's not. You just have to read the world news to know it thrives all over the world, including in Canada.

Re trying to educate "us Americans". There is only one tax payer. If "you" learned about how your tax dollars were spent, you'd know who to be angry at.

Lastly, no. I will not shut up.

Kellie Sue said...

LOL Some of the worse racial tension I've ever experienced is between Canada and the province of Quebec! Anglophones and Francophones fighting over what constitutes a Canadian Lifestyle vs A French Lifestyle. So I think Canadians have a firm grasp of the problem!

Nic said...

Kellie Sue...

Word. Another exodus is eminent. Google and read about the store owner being forced to translate her FB acc't into French. It's madness.

Kellie said...

OMG Nic the madness continues.

The on-going civil war of the language police in Canada is so complex it defies description! It took me several minutes to decide if I should say BETWEEN Canada and Quebec or WITHIN. It almost defies description and is, at once, laughable and sad!

I guess if we have any Quebecers posting here Peter better hurry and get this translated! :D Est-ce-que vous parlez Francais?

Nic said...

Pas aussi bien qu'auparavant. :0)

Until recently, my sis-in-law lived in Vancouver. (Moved for university and stayed.) Her and my brother-in-law were visiting and took public transportation to the Museum of Civilization in Hull. Easy peasy. Trying to get back was difficult. Every time a Hull bus stopped and they spoke English (enquiring if that bus would take them back to Ottawa,) the driver would close the door on their face and drive off. Nice.

I steer clear as much as possible.