Spike Lee slams Clint Eastwood for being racist
By Alexandra Heilbron on May 22, 2008 | 104 Comments
Spike Lee has slammed legendary actor/director Clint Eastwood for failing to include black soldiers in his films Letters from Iwo Jima (2007) and Flags of Our Fathers (2006). The Inside Man director claims Eastwood should have included African-American soldiers in the films about the Battle of Iwo Jima—considering hundreds took part in the 1945 battle. Lee launched his attack on Tuesday at the Cannes Film Festival, saying, “There were many African-Americans who survived that war and who were upset at Clint of not having one (in the films). That was his version: the negro soldier did not exist. I have a different version. But I know it was pointed out to him and that he could have changed it. It’s not like he didn’t know.”
take a chill pill Spike
He’s right.
Clint didn’t do the right thing.
Who’s the racist?? I don’t think there’s an over abundant amount of white actors in Spike’s films is there?
“That was his version: the negro soldier did not exist. I have a different version.”
Well, I have a different version of MOST movies made but then again, I am not the director of those movies am I?
Wanna talk racism? Try United Negro College’s!! There are NO colleges or programs out there SPECIFICALLY for WHITE people, are there? And if there were….ALL BLOODY HELL WOULD BREAK LOOSE!!!!!!
i agree tony – if there are white actors in lee’s films they’re infrequent, and usually there as racists and bad guys typecast.
if only lee and others like him would look at themselves and their own racist views before they get so critical of others.
It’s the pot calling the kettle black.
OMG whatever, Spike Lee needs to get over himself…it’s bull and a little said.
Clint e. got whatever the hell he deserved. there were hundreds and maybe thousands African americans who took part in not only Iwo jima but for all of WWII
black filmakers can make movies with all the africans on drugs and killing people but if africans get left out of a movie made from a white person its racist thats crap
Actually spike lee’s “inside man” had jodie foster in it, a white woman and her character was very powerful and at the top of intelligence, so i don’t no what you guys are talking about.
what does his race have to do with his intelligence?
Who’s Spoke Lee? I know who Clint Eastwood is, probably one of the best action actors and directors of all time, but who the heck is Spoke Lee?
I think Spike Lee has a valid point, this is a period piece film, so it should reflect all aspects of that period. If there were blacks documented that fought in Iwo Jima, then Clint Eastwood must accurately show that. Otherwise, his film loses credibility.
Spike Lee = angry black man. The type of anger that is unproductive and does not promote harmony and balance in society. We must all transcend such emotions.
I find that after reading the comments on Spike Lee, that the United States of America is certainly not ready for a black president.
In the battle of Iwo Jima the USMC combat units involved did not include any African-Americans. The naval vessels had African-Americans as part of their crew but few, if any, saw combat on the island. They did fight off Japanese air attacks on their vessels and apparently some were involved in manning the LCTs and Amtracks that took the Marines ashore. USN shore parties and beachmaster’s logistics groups included African-Americans, but these areas are not shown as anything other than long-distance background shots in Clint’s epic. Spike should check his facts before showing his ignorance.
I completely agree with you TankerSteve69. Spike definitely did not check his facts before making such an ill-informed comment.
Spike must have a movie coming out. Any free press, is good press.
I totally disagree with Mary.
The United States of America has long had it’s own inner turmoil between races and classes. It needs to heal and having an intelligent black man such as Obama in power is the first step. If you choose to ignore that there is a problem that does not make it go away. Dealing with the injustices that for example the blacks have suffered in their own country is a good second step.
If you don’t think there is a race issue in the U.S.A. … why did it take sooooo long for the people of New Orleans (majority being black residents) to get any help when the levies broke? It was disgusting to see human beings in a country as rich and powerful as the United States of America suffer needlessly because a white man couldn’t get past his prejudice and simply send in help.
Spike Lee may not say it in an elegant manner but he does know history and perhaps Mr. Eastwood should have done a little more homework on his period piece before submitting it to the masses for consumption.
Just my two (okay, maybe five) cents.
I know that ever since political correctness struck, revisionist history seems the order of the day, but ignoring a fact doesn’t change it…the armed forces were not desegregated until the time of the Korean War.
Why should a screenplay be altered just because a few knee-jerk liberals don’t like facing the REAL past. Ken Burns delayed the release of his latest documentary about World War Two until he could apease the Latino community who also felt THEY were not adequately reflected in his film. Excuse me?? Why stop there? I’m sure Polish-Americans would like a re-do,oh and while you’re at it Ken, see what you can do to bend over backwards and make sure the Swedes,Finns,Norwegians and Danes aren’t left out. What a frinking joke.
I think you guys are racist.. not all but most. Spike Lee is a very great director, who has noticed one of Clint Eastwoods faults. after doing research it is very apparent that it is true.im a professional actor/model and i have heard talk like this for the past 4 years of eastwood, he is a great guy, but it is true. and whats wrong with some of you stupid people, negro schools aren’t racist. they help a visible minority group get better education. and it deals with many problems that you don’t have
Its really pathetic, that Spike Lee will lower himself to grab some much needed attention as his lack of revenue for his movies to slam someone else, furthermore to assume a person is racist is ridiculous!!!
Spike Lee and most African American type of movies do not include white/indian or other ethnic backgrounds, and is marketed towards blacks only.
Lets face it there is BET television but not WET, as in white entertainment television.
I am tired of people like Spike Lee who always blames the “white” person for being racist,when what I have noticed is more black people are racist towards whites!
Then I guess Stephen Speilberg is anti-everyone except Americans. Because according to Saving Private Ryan, there were only 2 factions – Germans and Americans, and all other Allied Forces were invisible. Ever see Eddie Izzards take on that film? Hilarious!
I love ya Spike, but chill. And wasn’t there a scene in an all-black female movie where they were bashing white females. I guess that’s ok. I guess it’s ok to have all black pageants, magazines, colleges, award shows. Imagine if there was a White Miss America Pageant, or the Caucasian Achievement Awards, or a magazine called White People Weekly? IT WOULDN’T HAPPEN because it would be deemed racist. Ah hypocrasy, thy name is racism…
L. A.
Hahaha. That’s hilarious. SPIKE LEE calling someone a racist. You know Spike reverse racism is still RACISM. Treat others as you’d like to be treated Mr. White men can’t jump!!!
So Chris, Spike had ONE movie with a strong White Female character and that makes it all better? Was that movie based on a historical event?
Good points Chris!
Why should movie makers throw in a race to “represent” if that historical event did not include that particular race in the specific situation? Wasn’t the same “slam” made of Saving Private Ryan and proven that historically Black people were not on the front line (or something along that line…)?
I think that Clint is wonderful for presenting the Japanese point of view of the war. Are there any other movies that have shown a true cultural story instead of turning it around to somehow make it to be “all american” and how the other races/cultures are idiots and terrible people?
There is a word for people who use comments like Spike…..Reverse Racism!
Oops, that is two words. Reverse Racism is worse that Racism IMO!
Reverse Racism doesn’t exist, and yet white people seem to be more upset by it that real racism.
Having said that, I don’t think Eastwood is necessarily racist. After all, he made a movie with an almost entirely Japanese cast in the Japanese language – very daring for an American director. He didn’t cast non-Japanese actors in those roles as other Hollywood directors have done.
If however there were black soldiers who participated in these historical events, his films ought to have reflected that. By not doing so, he did a disservice not only to those soldiers but to his own films as well by making them less historically accurate.
sounds like a bunch of racist are on here.
all spike asked for is 1 black person in the damn film.
Spike has never had a movie where white people do not exist. the fact of the matter is that there are not a lot of white people in Brooklyn. Go watch Do The Right Thing and see how many Italians are very important characters. I am sure you racist have never bothered to watch it
oh PLEASE reverse racism does so exist! It is quite alive too.
I do agree with your comment Don about it being nice that Eastwood cast Japanese actors in Japanese role…unlike Memoirs of a Geisha and other movies.
Yes, I agree that if there were black soldiers participating in the events presented in the movie they should also be included but if they were not in those specific events in the movie then adding them is not relevant.
As a Canadian of mixed decent (African-American and Italian) all I have to say is forget about it and lets just relax and have a couple cold ones 🙂
No, Spike didn’t ask for 1 black person in the damn film. Read his comments before you start calling people racists.
He contends that black veterans of the battle wanted representation in the film. He was not asking for a token black actor to throw into the mix.
My question is – if it is (was) such a big deal, why did Mr. Lee wait until two years after the film was released to say something? I’m tending to agree with Jeremy, he musy=t have a movie coming out soon.
Whites, blacks- where’s the native americans, the asians, in the any W.W. II movies?
Anonymous on May 23 @ 8:51 am wrote, “and whats wrong with some of you stupid people, negro schools aren’t racist. they help a visible minority group get better education. and it deals with many problems you don’t have”
OMG! I am the one who brought up THAT topic and you should listen to yourself!! I am definately NOT a stupid person, but I am white and I can tell you right now that ANY public place, such as a college as I specified, that does not allow someone to enter/join due to the colour of their skin or ethnic background is RACIST!! No if, and or buts about it!! Every ethnic group has specific problems with their ethnicity, not just black people! Imagine what would happen if there was a place called ‘United Caucasian College’….in which of course, they help a visible minority group get better education and deal with many problems that YOU don’t have!!…….”whats wrong with some of you stupid people”….HA…..LOOK IN THE MIRROR!!
Spike Lee is an idiot! He has absolutely no freaking business telling another director..who, by the way, has been in ‘the biz’ wayyy longer, what he should or should not have included in his films! I don’t recall reading that Mr. Eastwood asked this losers opinion!! And he did not only put down Mr. Eastwood at the film festival, he also put down two other directors as well, saying that HE portrays death the way death is supposed to be portrayed and THEY portray it as funny like, ha ha, look at the blood squirting out of the side of his head! Who the f*ck died and made him GOD!!!
Give it a rest Spike. I can count the number of whites people in your movies on one hand.
Flags – ok, check your facts Clint. Letters: Uh, isn’t this movie about JAPANESE SOLDIERS???? But has anyone here actually seen either of these movies? I haven’t and neither grossed exceedingly well. Why is this an issue now? Is Putin going to come out and complain about there being no Slavs in Enemy at the Gates? Soviets with British accents. Guess that’s ok though because I guess all Europeans are the same…..
Hay spike get a life
Spike’s noticed this so good for him, but going out to cry him a racist is sooo reaching. I bet if I looked hard enough, I could find clues to anti-semitism or sexism in the film as well.
Hell, I still think the thing I dislike most about Do the Right Thing is it’s sexism, and that film was released nearly 20 years ago. I loved “When the Levee Broke” Spike, but you make me lose respect when you randomly jolt out like this.
To Tony Friesen: actually, there is quite a lot of white characters in Spike Lee’s joints, from “Do The Right Thing”, all the way to “Inside Man”.
See, that’s the difference between white folks and black folks: you can actually act as if we don’t exist, but WE CAN’T. We have to acknowledge continuously your existence, in movies just like in real life, and guess what? Most black directors got no problem with it. It just would be nice to receive the same type of consideration from white directors, that’s all…
But calling Eastwood racist over that, that’s just another case of poor judgment from Spike. Every way, the dude got to say something stupid, so I guess he was do for that…
I don’t know where some of you get your info, or if you just choose ignorance. Say what you will about Spike Lee’s comments about Clint Eastwood, but don’t try to turn the racism tag back to him.
Spike has almost 40 directing credits, several of which featured white actors in the starring roles. He also has a habit of casting actors, again, many of them white, in several of his films. For instance, John Turturro has been in 8 Spike Lee Joints, and Michael imperioli has been in 5.
By contrast, Clint Eastwood has only 5 black actors in starring roles in his directorial features; Morgan Freeman 3 times, Laurence Fishburne, Forest Whitaker, Lisagay Hamilton and Isaiah Washington.
Spike Lee also has a number of white people in his social circle, whereas Clint Eastwood is not known to to have any close black friends, except perhaps for Morgan Freeman (I guess everybody gotta have 1).
Nancy…while we’re on the subject of stupidity and idiocy…
There is NO NEGRO COLLEGE in the USA! There is not a single school at ANY educational level that prohibits white people from attending. Perhaps you made a mistake and meant Historically Black Colleges (I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt).
HBC were formed when blacks were not allowed to attend WHITE universities and colleges. Today, they still have majority black pupils, but they ALL accept people from ANY race.
Or maybe you meant the United Negro College FUND? Again, that was styarted to give blacks kids a chance at an education that had previously been denied them. And guess what?
The UNCF finances educations for people of little means, REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE! In fact, it would be illegal for them to only grant blacks funding.
Check YOUR facts before you start spewing what really does sound like Redneck Rhetoric. You probably have ONE black friend, too, huh?
You state that Spike Lee is known to have numerous white friends, while Clint Eastwood has very few.
Can you tell us where you get your info? Or do you just choose ignorance?
Also, if you are attempting to paint one director or another as a racist, try coming up with an argument first.
Does Spoke Lee even make movies anymore?
I can’t think of one movie that he made. Clint, on the other hand, is an Academy Award winner.
Says quite a bit about the quality of their work, and the quality of the people.
Sounds like Spoke Lee is a bitter, jealous, guy who’s realized his career sucks, and is lashing out at Clint Eastwood, a stand up guy who everyone respects except Spoke Lee.
Perhaps someone should call Dr. Phil or maybe Oprah to get some healing going on for poor old Spoke Lee, all washed up, and no career to remember him by.
Lawl, what a useless thing to complain about. Why not take your publicity and do something to contribute towards global warming. I mean a movie is a movie isn’t it? A piece of art?
O.o Oops! I meant getting rid of global warming >.>
Academy Awards don’t mean anything – I wouldn’t judge the quality of a movie or a career on the Oscars. You don’t win Oscars, you buy them.
This whole debate is ridiculous. Remember Pearl Harbor? (the movie, not the event or place). Horrible movie….but anyways, the producers/directors/studio received extreme mixed reviews or the role of Cuba Gooding Jr. One complaint: it was a true story yes but why the focus on one African American? Second complaint: they just picked a token African American story to throw in there.
So as a director, what do you do? Token or omit? Clint’s movie was about the flagbearers (who were white) so do you include the involvement of the 8th Marine Ammunition Company and the 33d, 34th, and 36th Marine Depot Companies (African-American companies) ? No matter what you do, someone ends up being offended. Solution? Make a movie just about these companies? Discuss.
People…if you want to take a look at the absence for racial representation on a body of work, can we take look at WOODY ALLEN?
Not too many Blacks or Asians in his flicks and when there are, they are horrible stereotypes of the people ‘ he imagines’ live in those other neighbourhoods in NYC.
That said, he used to do great work. ANNIE HALL and DO THE RIGHT THING are classics, and Clint’s body of work speaks for itself.
Why can’t these people all get along??
Sorry–should have read..Allen’s ANNIE HALL and Lee’s DO THE RIGHT THING….not that the clarification is really necessary.
Remember: we must all continue to support independent filmmakers, including those who have ‘made it’ somewhat but still are able to challenge the film goer and get us thinking.
Can we all stop with the “racists card” now???!!!!
it’s getting a little much with people blaming each other for different things all because of the color of their skin. We need to get real.I haven’t read this whole story cause as soon as I read racism–I think oh here we go again,and it doesn’t interest me any further to read.
But that’s my opinion. Everyone choses to believe what they want.But I chose to ignore the racism card!!
MightyMad on May 23, 2008 11:49 am
You say that I can act as if you don’t exist, but you can’t act as if I don’t exist. Ok, that is a very strange comment, it doesn’t make any sense to me. The community I live in is mostly white, I will give you that, but not by a very big margin. How could I, and why would I want to, act as if my friends and neighbours don’t exist? Actually, my brother-in-law is native North American, his wife is black and white, so you can guess what my little 2 year old niece is. How could I act like they don’t exist? I can’t, and I wouldn’t want to anyway, why would I want to deny myself the love and friendship I get from them? I think part of the problem is, you and people with your opinion expect white people to bend down and kiss your feet, while you don’t bother to try to see it from my perspective.
I’m not entirely sure why these comments are being made now. I could be cynical and say he’s got as movie coming out, but we don’t know the whole conversation that took place where the comments were made.
I agree with those who stated that there are more ethnicities than African-American that were left out… of all WWII movies.
But I will give Clint Eastwood credit – a native actually played a native. That doesn’t happen very much.
Spike Lee is one of the more daring modern film makers. Do The Right Thing, School Daze, Malcom X and 25th Hour are must watches for all of the ignorant people on here who chalk him up as a second rate director. Espically the guy who keeps on calling him Spoke Lee – stop watching Brett Ranter garbage and think a little.
And on a technical note: There is no such thing as reverse racism. It’s just racism.
That’s right, but we usually call it reverse racism when it is a black person who is racist against white people. I think the reason is because when someone just says the word “racist”, everyone assums it is a white person who is being racist, even though that may not be the case. And to those who think that doesn’t happen, get your head out of the sand. It happens each and every day.
Spike Lee. Maybe a good director but perpetuating the myth that whites hate blacks does not do one bit of good to anyone. When Spike makes a film that potrays blacks in a bad way, he is ‘filming as he sees it’ If a white director did the same thing, let us just say all hell would break loose. Spike, taqke a valium and relax, or am I now perpetuating the myth that all blacks do drugs. Get a life Spike and deal with your own life.
Again, F U :> Jealousy will get you nowhere as I said before!! It all has to do with racism…read the article..:>
Mr. Majic: Yes, they do allow other races into their colleges but, they are predominantly black and if it were not for being against the law, ONLY blacks would be allowed in, otherwise they would change the name to something other than ‘Negro’, wouldn’t you spew? And you should not call others ‘Rednecks’ unless you like being called a ‘N’! You know what I mean? As for me having ONE black friend….nah, just a black servant!!……………..CHILL PEOPLE!!! LMFAO!!
Oh, the sh!t is going to hit the fan now, isn’t it!!!!!!
You know reading the previous comments, really opens my eyes to the ignorance that is widely out there NO matter what race/colour your born of…and the long way this Society has got to over come to really be a nation and EVOLVE into something better, wiser and less trival. If I gave ya all a bat you’d be clubbing each other over the head like cavemen! There’s a reason that wars were fought…for our FREEDOM or someone elses, whether it was white,black, yellow or brown soldiers it was RED BLOOD that flowed from the hearts and bodies of the soldiers that fought it. Unless there’s a movie going to portray why the war was fought and not so much to show the indignity of the blood & guts that were shed of the Human beings that were fighting than as far as am I’m concerned directed by a white or black director the film ain’t nothing more than for the sick pleasure & financial gain of the entertainment industry and of no historical relevance or documentation of a tragic war.
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD!
Afican-Americans have to be included in absolutely everything, othetrwise its racism!!!
Some people will do anything to promote themselves. Has anyone bothered to ask Clint Eastwood why there were no black soldiers in the movies? I would think that is the place to start.
Also I agree with the comment :Chill Spike.
There is enough hatred in the world already. Why promote more?!!!
There is a lot of ignorance here. But the truth is that Spike Lee is calling out Clint when it is just a technical error.There should be black people in the film, regardless. I’m an Actor in Canada and it is very hard for blacks to get on screen. The film and television industry is geared more towards Caucasian people then blacks.Clint did million dollar baby with Morgan Freeman, their on screen chemistry is real. Spike is an amazing director, who id like to work with one day. There is obviously something else here that we don’t know about. But on the other hand, black colleges were made for a reason. at the end of the day people are people.before that blacks were slaves, and they were treated wrongly. still today many Minorities are treated wrongly.people are finally doing something about it. But Anyways what effect do they truly have on your lives for you to be getting upset about it?? 😛 well peace and 1 love
I understand that black colleges were made for a reason…key word ‘WERE’. Change the name is all I’m saying. If there was a sign for a city named, ‘Caucasian City’, that was say, 95% white people and %5 black people….how long can you honestly say that that city would have THAT name? Anyways, it doesn’t really affect me, I’m just stating A FACT!! I’m not racist and have taught my children not to be either…even though some kids at school say certain things. I just think that the door should swing both ways, that’s all. I absolutely think that Spike Lee should just mind his own business though. I think he is just jealous that Clint produced these films and not him!
well thats cool, your idea. but seriously there must be something going on between them for him to say what he has said. Spike doesn’t want to be Clint. They are both remarkable film makers. Beleive me, they aren’t in any competition.
Oh yes, Clint Eastwood is a major racist. Let me see, who did he co-star in his movie “Unforgiven (1992)” and “Million Dollar Baby (2004)”? Oh yes, Morgan Freeman, one of the best actors alive that I know of (had to add that, I’m a fan). Of course in the movie Heartbreak Ridge (1986) he didn’t have any co-stars that were african american, did he? Oh wait, I think Moses Gunn and Mario Van Peebles are among others in this military movie. I’m sure there are other films, but I”m not an expert on the subject.
Wow Spike, take a pill before pouncing on somebody like that! Take a good look in the miror buddy, before making THAT accusation!
HEY MAJIK
WHY DON’T WE ASK MORGAN FREEMAN IF EASTWOOD IS A RACIST. SPEAKING OF WHICH….TO CAST A BLACK PERSON IN A WESTERN. ESPECIALLY AS A FREE MAN, IS NOT WHAT I WOULD CALL RACISM.
Andre,
If You’re a “Canadian” of mixed descent, why describe yourself as an “African-American and Italian” and not “African Canadian and Italian”?
Awaiting your reply, you un-patriotic devil!!!
Spike Lee can go F-#k himself. He’s ignorant, and he stinks. Take THAT to the bank….
I totally agree with Killerfox. I am sick and tired of other racial groups whining and complaining about being discriminated against. In most cases those races stick together and hire their own kind, discriminating against the whites. Clint Eastwood is a wonderful actor/director/writer he has had black people in many of his movies. Is Spike jealous of Eastwood’s talents?? Don’t see him having white actors in his films!! Spike is the discriminator.
Spike Lee made a very stupid comment and should be called on it himself. What Eastwood’s film has to do with black schools, black presidents etc. I’m really not sure. And I really don’t care.
He should be smart enough not to look to Hollywood for historical accuracy. See The Great Escape or U-571 for perfect examples.
Dan, African-Americans don’t need to be included in everything. Unless you have something more to add.
By the way, Hitchcock never won for best director. Does that make him any less of a director
Ok, this whole thing is crazy! You want to talk about racism in Hollywood movies, there are so many other offensive movies out there that depict unreal and unjust ethnic and racial stereotypes. With terrible casting! Why aren’t we talking about those? Are we afraid of putting Adam Sandler out of business?
I completely agree with TankerSteve69. Spike Lee should have done some research before he spoke. If you actually watch “Flags of Our Fathers”, you do see African-American soldiers on the navy ships going towards Iwo Jima.(briefly in the meeting scene where the boys are being told of the location) But you do not see them in combat on ground because they most likely served on the navy vessels at Iwo. This fact was addressed before, I believe.
Race is still a very touchy topic in North America and Spike Lee was a pioneer that pushed the dialogue forward back in the day. It’s disappointing to me that he would make such a careless remark without doing research.
..this is just so pathetic…I think (oh,,hmmm..how not to enter this so everybody in the whole frigging world is not offended…)I think that black, brown,blue,yellow, green, red…are all part of the world…and so it is ..that we are all HUMAN BEINGS! Who gives a crap what colour we are??
Spike is right. Clint failed to portray a racial mix in his films. But Spike Lee certainly does have a large number of whites in his films. How about Edward Norton and Barry Pepper who were the two leads in 25th Hour? Jodie Foster, Danny Aiello, John Turturro, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Brian Cox, Anna Paquin, John Leguizamo, Adrien Brody, Mike Star, Ben Gazzara, Anthony Lapaglia, Milla Jovovich, Ned Beatty, Harvey Keitel, Annabella Sciora, John Savage. The list goes on.
And as far as that racist woman and her comment on the United Negro College; It’s a fund, not a school you imbecile. They fund fund about 40 colleges. If blacks were not oppressed they would not need such an institution. I bet she voted for Bush. Redneck.
Has anyone seen a typical black rap music video. Quite often they demonstate acts of crime, immorality, and violence. Mabey some white police officers showing up to break up the ‘fun’, followed by undertones of oppression. These are not the types of images that should be presented to the black community on channels such as BET. It is important that blacks also contribute the forward motion that we have been having since the abolishion of slavery.
It has been established that black people are sometimes (not as often as some would like to think) socially predisposed to a lesser amount of opportunity. However it is up to blacks to correct this for themselves, not by complaining, but by simply contributing to society as best as possible.
Even back in the early 70’s when Clint was doing Dirty Harry, he had a black partner, a female partner and I think he had sex with a black woman! That sexist, racist pig!
Maybe if Spike has something to say, he should get into the ring with Clint and they can settle it like men.
I have to agree with an above poster. I have seen parts of both films, and I have to say, isn’t Letters from Iwo Jima about Japanese soldiers from their perspective? Kinda hard to talk about the black experience where the Allies, whether they were white or black, aren’t really featured. Maybe Clint could have done something differently in Flags, I don’t know. But what I do know is that Spike’s career ain’t what it used to be, and although his new film sounds good, his words smack of self-promotion.
Wouldn’t Andre be an African-Canadian and an Italian-Canadian? Or an African/Italian-Canadian?
Jeez, I’m glad white people don’t have to add all that crap in to their nationality, I am decended from several European countries, but I am just a plain old CANADIAN.
So does the comment that spike Lee made on Arsenio Hall years ago count as a racist remark? He referred to white women as “MUGLY”… mutt ugly. I think this guy needs some sensitivity training.
see that’s the problem with moolies…there is a BET network but it is forbidden to have a white Entertainment Network…Get Outta here!
Moolies – Hey Joe,
Pick the definition:
a) Comical, nonsense/comic-slang word for the testicles. Pioneered by the British comic Kenneth Williams in the 1960s. I almost got kicked in the moolies by that nutter in the pub.
b)Moolies meaning more then one Moolie -short for moolinyam Italian for eggplant and commonley used as a racial slur for blacks
By the way, Joe; you must mean “a” because as for balls you don’t have any. Don’t like a network, Joe don’t watch it. No one put a gun to your head. Or did they? Looks like Spike and you will have study common sense with your sensitivity training.
Blacks generally are offended at most anything because it works for them. It’s the song and dance that most everybody is now sick and tired of hearing. If they don’t get their own way, they always claim it’s because of their colour. Time people all stood up and took pride in their colour and ethnic background instead of blaming life’s hardships on it. White people seldom get their own way in life either, the only difference is that they don’t get to blame it all on their colour.
I totally agree with you here, Minerva.
As for Anonymous on May 24 @ 12:54 am…..I’m not an imbecile and definately not a ‘Redneck’, A-HOLE! There is a United Negro College Fund yes, and also negro colleges. I am not racist…you ‘redneck imbecile’. You said “if blacks were not oppressed, they would not need such an institution.”….GIVE IT UP…OPPRESSED MY ASS! Now, why in the hell do you think I would vote for Bush? I could F-ing care less, you see…as I am Canadian!! So, shove Bush up your @$$….sideways!!
Hey, Minerva, haven’t seen you on here in a long time. And for once, I totally agree with you. I have this one particular black friend who is 39 years old and hasn’t worked a day in his life, and totally blames it on his race. 39 years old, never worked, still lives with his mommy, only will apply to the big companies where you have to work hard (he is the laziest person I know), they don’t hire him because he is obviously lazy, they aren’t racist, they have a very diverse staff. But even though he is my friend and a really nice guy, he is using his race to his advantage. The funny thing is, he is racist against black people himself! He refuses to date black girls!
The majority of black people use racism to their advantage every chance they get, not because they are opressed, but because they are trying to opress white people.
A few years ago at my kids elementary school, it was near lunchtime and people from the school board brought in a bunch of pizzas. My kids, all the kids, got really excited thinking they were getting a pizza party. But when they went to the room where the party was happening, they were told they couldn’t come in BECAUSE THEY WERE WHITE!!!! Then later in the playground all the white kids got picked on by the black kids, teased over it, and ever since, on the bus my kids hear chants etc coming from the black kids, things about black is best, white people suck, etc. So we have a whole new generation growing up already resenting each other.
Spike Lee can kiss my *ss!
So MightyMad, try and see this through MY children’s eyes, would you? No wonder they (and all of us) are getting more and more resentful of black people.
Nancy is totally right…..there ARE donations accepted exclusively for black students. Now, I just wish I could remember when, and by whom, but I remember watching on TV when the (then) president, I believe it was Bill Clinton at the time, was standing on stage accepting a huge donation from some very rich black woman who was donating several millions to be paid out in scholarships for black students. What do you think would happen if a white person donated a huge sum of money to be exclusively put towards scholarships for white students!!! Everyone knows the answer to that………..SO!!!…I have to ask….why was it legal to accept such a donation for any purpose that would exclude students of other colours or ethnic backgrounds???? Why doesn’t Human Rights apply when it concerns blacks and all the rules and laws are bent for them? A free country but with such double standards makes no sense.
Easy Spike. How many whites do you use in your films? All whites in your films are considered bad !!! Who’s the racist?
I think both directors are good but this is ridiculous. First of all million dollar baby had morgan freeman in it and last I checked he is black,and this outburst reminds me of kanye west and the whole bush racism shit. I mean everyone is intitled to his/her opinion but like come on people, think before you speak.
Something needs to change in our society – that’s obvious from the comments here.
Barack ’08 = Change
“Barack ��08 = Change”- No sir
Barack `08 = Hope
Sorry to correct you buddy!
In consideration of all the tensions and double standards which still exist between blacks and whites; the USA is NOT READY for a black president. But who knows, mabey Barack is capable of impartiality, which I believe must be thoroughly demonstated in any democratic political candidate at any level in regards to race and some other things.
Man this guy Spike makes more racist remarks then one can shake a stick at. I myself am sick to death of listening to this repeated whinnying every time some groups don’t get what they want they whine racist and there are two of them that are obsoletely sickening about it. There use of it and have for so long it doesn’t mean anything anymore. I have seen racism when i served in the Military during Nam and that was racism but this stuff where one thinks there is with no real proof of it is baloney. Here is food for thought so what if he is what ever happened to freedom of choice? I see black movies all the time and i see a channel that is especially for blacks isn’t that racism? I also know for a fact that there is far more racism against whites now then any other race or people.
If you are going to talk about the US president office maybe you should just put a puppet in the white house and that way there would be no confusion at all . OH ya there already is well maybe one with a wood for a head Oh ya got that too. well maybe one where some body puts there hand up its butt and makes it talk for them Oh ya . LOL need i go on. If you folks dont vote Hillary in so you can have health care now your nuts….all of you
Hay I dont think there where any Japanese blacks in WW2 in fact i don’t think there where an in Korea or even Nam but if i remember it right there where American blacks in just about every conflict that nation has fought. Spike is slipping his popularti is has been stat now so he is digging for what ever can draw him a little attantion.
Alem….when Hillary wins a state, she wins by a landslide. When Obama wins a state, it’s by a very thin margin. Obama has most of the delegates, not the votes. He’s been a close part of a very racist church for more than 20 years….Oprah left her church because she didn’t agree with the pastor. What does that say about Obama? Anytime there has been a debate, Obama never answered the questions first, he needed to see what Hillary would say about it first, as he has so few ideas of his own. Ever listen to the guy speak? He stops after everu second word to pause….he has no idea what to say, he stalls for time. Not a fast thinker. I sure couldn’t listen to him for very long, I keep saying….oh spit it out…get on with it…duh! I agree with Derek that the USA isn’t ready yet for a black president, because the scales are already tipped against the whites with the blacks always crying racism to get their own way….how do you think it will be once one is in the driver’s seat for the country….especially one who belongs to a church that spews white racism with such hatred and anger??? Think about that!
I have thought about that Minerva, and it is a very scary thought indeed. If he is elected president this fall, the terrorists won’t even have to bother coming into the U.S., the black people will probably go on a rampage and more conflict than the taliban could even think of! Now that being said, I also have thought about the possibility of a woman being president, I don’t think it would be nearly as chaotic, BUT, all the extreme feminists in the U.S. will be making extreme demands. So if Obama wins, white people are going to have to flee, if Clinton wins, men are going to have to flee. Maybe McCain will take it.
Tributegirl: I’ve thought about what you just said and now, I’m hoping that Clinton wins…so all the men will have to flee! Maybe they will come to Canada and then we will have some REAL men here instead of ‘boys’!!
Did you hear? Obama won, but Clinton has now said she will go for vice-prez, just to give their party the “dream ticket” in the fall.
Jesus, more men? I can barely stand the one I’ve got!!!
Oh, no I didn’t hear that. Ah well, I was kinda hoping the men to women ratio in Canada would be similar to that of Alaska!! LOL
That way, us women would have alot more choice and we probably wouldn’t put up with alot of the things we put up with now.
Are you available now? I’ll tell ya, if I was, I wouldn’t hitch up ever again! He’d have to be pretty damn special for me to commit!
Actually, yes. And I love it! With the exception of my kids…I pretty much do what I want. It is great being single! I had enough BS to last a lifetime.
Me too, but I’m still dealing with it. For now anyway!
Uhhh, yeah! None for me thanks, but whoever posted it can go right ahead. 🙂
It is a director’s perrogative to put whomever he wants in any combination or non-combination of race. I am very disappointed that Spike Lee would take a punch at Clint – sounds like sourgrapes, paranoia and frankly: Mr. Lee must have too much time on his hands as he is supposed to be such a well-known director – where’s the professionalism for your industry peers? I once went to a Detroit convention and on the marquis there was a sign that said: Young Black Accounts Convention. Change that word to ‘White’ and let’s see what’s going to happen. Thank you.
Ro on May 23, 2008 10:09 am
sounds like a bunch of racist are on here.
all spike asked for is 1 black person in the damn film.
Spike has never had a movie where white people do not exist.
—That’s crap. Ever heard of School Daze? No white actors. But he didn’t get shit for it.
Ever seen Mo Better Blues? His portrayal of Jews was the most racist thing I’ve ever seen. Ever seen Jungle fever? He has a personal bias against interracial relationships.
I think it’s all to do with interpretation and I don’t think racism plays a role on either side. I am a visible minority and I’ve always believed that the Jews that dominate Hollywood were at one time ostracized by the WASP’s because they were Jewish and formed their own entertainment needs…and this is how Hollywood was born. Spike Lee is doing the same thing and trying to make the Black people more than the stereo typical and has done an incredible job in his work and that is why there aren’t too many Caucasians in his movies. We ALL have a bit of racism in us, it’s human nature.