In Williamsburg, Spike Lee talks about race, shooting

The Virginian-Pilot ^ | March 27, 2012 | Bill Sizemore

[Free ThinkerNY]

WILLIAMSBURG - Spike Lee told a crowd of college students Tuesday night that his film "Do the Right Thing" was an all-too-accurate predictor of life in America nearly a quarter-century later.

As evidence, he pointed to the killing last month of Trayvon Martin, the black teenager shot by a neighborhood-watch volunteer in a gated community in Sanford, Fla. - an incident that has generated a national furor.

In the light of that episode, Lee said, his 1989 film, which depicted a culture of racial bigotry and hatred that exploded into violence, "was like a crystal ball."

"Here we are in a so-called post-racial society, and we're not there yet," he said. "So, people, we've got a lot to do as Americans."

Lee has joined the social-media conversation about the Martin case, even posting on his Twitter account the purported home address of George Zimmerman, the man who shot the teenager.

He did not dwell on the case, however, in his talk at the College of William and Mary.

His comment came in response to a question from a student in the capacity crowd in Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall.

[Major Matt Mason]

I hope Shelton makes a lot from his movies because he'll be shelling out some money for tweeting that incorrect address.

[NMCicero]

I haven’t watched a Spike Lee movie in a long time, but I have seen a few of them, and Do The Right Thing is one of the better ones. (Actually it’s really quite good, and worth watching, even if you can’t stand Spike Lee.)

Now, having said that, let me clear about one thing. I think that this whole Twitter fiasco will end up in litigation, and I’m certain that Spike Lee will end up writing a rather large check, as well he should. His actions were both irresponsible and ignorant, and he ought to reflect on the message of “Do The Right Thing,” and well... do the right thing.

Man up Spike, say you’re sorry, and write a check. It’s not like you can’t afford it.

[Viking2002]

No, Spike. It never was about any 'post-racialism'. It has nothing to do with your version of 'Americanism'. It's always been about you and yours inculcating the rest of America to a distinct quasi-foreign sub-culture within the larger American fabric, and attacking your own if they decided that the 'plantation' didn't hold the key to their dreams. I can remember several decades ago, being the only white man in a room full of blacks, and if one black in the room disagreed on the side of common sense, regardless of the issue, another black man would give him a glare and say, "Man, you Tommin' on me". Mindless, lock-step hive mentality. No, Spike, you're no sage, visionary, or whatever you see in the mirror. You're nothing but a petty, sniveling little black punk who wields Guilty White Man's Money. And you're such a failure at it that your black militant Twittering is the only thing that can get you any notoriety these days. Go find a niche cause that the likes of Sean Penn hasn't usurped, you bug-eyed little shit bag. We no longer have the room, luxury, or time for your bullshit. And history shall record that you and yours destroyed any potential for a truly color-blind civilization.

"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats."

--H.L. Mencken, The Sage of Baltimore

[TigersEye]

I find it hard to believe that Spike had more problems in life because he was black than he did because he’s a dweeby runt.

[TigersEye]

Elderly couple abandons their home after address is posted on Twitter as that of George Zimmerman

Re-Tweeted several times by Spike Lee.

[jonrick46]

For these Black Separatists, freedom is a concept the white “crackers” use to get over on them. Their idea of freedom is getting the free stuff. That way they can get from the rich ones without having to steal from them. This is primitive thinking which has detached itself from Western Civilization and sunk into mob rule. We are witnessing a moral degeneracy that operates as a mob organism, sucking in as many mentally susceptible sops as possible.

[SampleMan]

It’s getting to the point that black thugs cannot attack even another minority with impunity. Clearly racism is at play.

[PJ-Comix]

Yet isn’t he the one who not only tweeted the alleged address, but now it turns out to be inaccurate?

LAWSUIT? I think the elderly couple at the address that Spike Lee INACCURATELY tweeted as being that of George Zimmerman have great grounds to SUE Lee. Go for the gold! Drain Spike Lee's profits from his crappy movies.

[Wordkraft]

“Lil Spike” is just trying to resucitate a moribund career.