Spike Lee Gets Uppity!

6 Jun 2008 Author: dnA

You may have thought that when Spike Lee pointed out there were few to no black soldiers in Clint Eastwood’s film Flags of Our Fathers, that he was making an accurate critique of the way American historical epics exclude the black experience. But in fact, MSNBC reporter Courtney Winzlett points out, he was just being uppity, as black folks tend to get when we’re not properly restrained, say by chains or Sundown laws. Fortunately Clint Eastwood put that uppity Negro back in his place by telling him to “shut his face”.

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Anonymous
I saw that clip live this morning on MSNBC and I couldn’t believe my ears. There is a fine line between political correctness and having absolutely no sense of history or proportion, and I think Winzlett’s statements fall into the second category. She doesn’t strike me as classically educated. She’s a show-business reporter (probably cutter-and-paster is more appropriate); we need to lower our expectations somewhere around the level of the person who scoops up the elephant poop at the circus. On second thought ….
Lastly, I like Clint Eastwood. Millions Dollar Baby was one of the best films I’ve ever seen. It’s a free country; if Spike and Clint want to debate this in public using magazine articles – whatever. I paid almost $98 to fill up my truck this morning. I’m not really focusing on a debate between two rich people right now.
heartsandflowers
You know this story is kinda old and since Spike Lee said it during Cannes he got a rather wide audience when lodging his complaint. He was also promoting his latest film. He is famous, male and wealthy and will be just fine.
How about a post on songwriter Tanya White who was thrown out of the Beverly Hills Hotel and referred to as an ‘it’. She is a lesbian and African American.
Or how about focusing on the death of Mildred Beaubrun. Where is the outrage about this young woman being killed by some idiots for not wanting to give them her phone number!
It’s really time to give equal consideration to the struggles and attacks on Black women be they by whites or Black men and stop spending so much time focusing on the plight on the oppressed Black male theme.
Black American Princess
OK I’m gonna have to stop coming on to this blog cause yall gon have me randomly cussin out white folks on sight in a minute. Not that she called him “uppity,” wowwww…..
Christopher Chambers
Come on people. Spike can be a true fool sometimes. This is one of those times, and it cheapens the Miracle at St Anna project. He had now reason, right or cause to open his damn mouth in the first damn place. Nuff said.
to wit:
http://natturnersrevenge.blogspot.com/2008/05/rafbn-2-miracle-at-st-anna.html
Anonymous
Sorry, but Eastwood has it right this time. “Flags of Our Fathers” was specifically about the men raised the flag on Iwo Jima, none of whom were black. So it was not an active act of exclusion on Eastwood’s part, it was to try and stay as true to the story as possible. Eastwood noted that when he directed “Bird”, his 1988 film about Charlie Parker, he got grief from Lee for being a white director about a black musician, even though most of the cast was black.
- KXB
Christopher Chambers
PS–anonymous: if you need a truck for work, etc. Fine. Otherwise, sell the damn thing and buy a Prius or something.
By the way: Clint wrote, produced and directed the Charlie Parker flick (Forrest Whittaker’s first starring role)
Spielberg: Amistad, Color Purple.
Spike: Malcolm X. OK, our sentimental fav and powerful. Also one of the THE most long winded movies ever made. I think we need to say before Aaron McGruder makes a Boondocks episode of it that Spike has a ways to go before he can attack anyone, and doing so a stupid means of promoting the otherwise beautify story in McBride’s book is inexcusable. Why do we cut him so much slack?
Kat
I heard about the MSNBC “reporter” comment, and my impression was that she is not malicious, just stupid.
As far as Lee v. Eastwood, I wish Eastwood had found a more mature way to express himself. But I also don’t understand Lee’s logic here. I mean, how many black people can Eastwood put in a film before it becomes a film ABOUT black people and therefore shouldn’t be directed by a white guy?
Christopher Chambers
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say if Spike had done Bird, the film would have sucked and the last you’d seen of Forrest Whitaker would’ve been in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Point two: Spike did 25th Hour and Inside Man–both about white men (more or less). Did white people go nuts? No. As a matter of fact, I’d assert that 25th Hour was one of Spike’s best because there was none of this preachey, heavy handed bullshit in it (or at least, not as much).
What does this have to do with politics? It’s culture, and culture IS the prime element in politics. Not power. Because the power issue is tied to cultures and tribes competing.
miss-opinion
What does a plantation have to do with anything? Is Spike Lee capable of having a conversation with a white person without being a bigot himself?
How about this. How about they both shut their faces up? I would enjoy that, deeply.
heartsandflowers
The core issue is the lack of equal representation in front of and behind the camera of stories of quality and interest about men and women of color. Studios are rejecting stories that would universal appeal because they won’t look past their own limited views. It’s why Sex and the City’s box office numbers are a “surprise” even though it stars a cast of white women, change the race of characters if they do greenlight a movie or perpetuate the same tired stories that employ a level of exploitation.
Also there is an intentional revisionist history at play in the stories that are told because the screenwriters and directors only choose to focus on limited themes. Taking the Eastwood/Lee debate if you evaluated the long list of war movies you would find the majority of them are focused on the contributions of and situations involving white men. There is an absence of a BALANCE. For example – How many people went into the film Windtalkers knowing the US gov’t used Navajo military personnel as code breakers?
Media provides a powerful means of shaping opinions – as we have seen throughout this campaign.
Christopher Chambers
No, the core issue is that Spike Lee acts crazy sometimes. Don’t read the rest of it into his antics because that’s exactly what he wants.
If he wants to attack somebody–how about Tyler Perry, or Martin Lawrence, for the same old low brow (or faux-high brow when Tyler tackles “serious” relationship issues LOL)? Or the fact that most of the good black male dramatic actors out there are BRITISH because we want rappers and comedians here. Stuff like that. But no, rather than articulating a great position in a forum like Cannes, Spike shoots his mouth off. It could have been a constructive pulpit. He just wants to play little big man.
Anonymous
You really should google:
African Americans+Iwo Jima
and check out the link to the
government archives. Not really hard research…
Thanks Spike, for raising awareness. Blogs are rapidly turning into main stream sources of information.
No research, no links, no mention of links, no attempt to inform, to educate,just endless ‘off the cuff’ commenting.
See what a little exposure does….how easy it is to morph into what you despise!!!
Clint Eastwood who rolled in the gutter of black exploitation films…against Spike Lee!!!
Are you kidding….and I am only 53. Do some research….ya got google…
Sad.
Anonymous
Chris – indeed I need the truck for work – I’m in the motorcycle business. Can’t carry bikes with a Beemer. I’m definitely going to put a little cash into my hooptie and try and use it at every opportunity. I swear I’d buy a little Italian scooter if I could get around without getting killed by people on their cell phones.
As far as Spike and Clint, my main point was that the reporter could have framed the disagreement between Clint and Spike better. I don’t know why two (moderately) rish people can’t have a disagreement without one of them getting “uppity”. Take that cartoon character Bob Johnson for instance; when he opens his mouth and sticks his ass in it, I don’t think he’s being uppity.
Anonymous
“Not only is Clint Eastwood a better filmmaker, he’s depicting history. There are stories of black heroism in WWII, tell those instead of inserting them where they weren’t. Spike Lee is an idiot.”
The above quote is from Oliver Willis’ Blog…..
The point is that to be historically correct….if that is what your claiming…and it is what Eastwood is claiming…then you must have blacks, women, natives, and latinos in the picture. That is the historical reality, obviously, unbeknownst to Willis and sadly to many youth.
Spike is a master at his craft…that is why we know about him…period!!! He knows the medium of which he speaks.
Latinos have already stated their displeasure with being left out of history….you know…that history that Eastwood is so concerned about preserving… that is easily found with ‘teh google’.
IMHO Spike Lee correctly shined a light at a light shining event… Cannes.
Although it is not the pressing issue of the day…to denigrate his efforts is sloppy blogging.
Part of the problem with race is how the races/cultures are depicted through the lenses of Hollywood…which Eastwood is also very well aware of.
Just acknowledge the documented history by the national archives whose job is to:
“Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1%-3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept by us forever.
Those valuable records are preserved and are available to you, whether you want to see if they contain clues about your family’s history, need to prove a veteran’s military service, or are researching an historical topic that interests you.”
Quote from the National Archives
Because of Hollywood’s abject failure…it is fortunate that our story is part of the 1-3% of history archived.
In the rush to a post racial America… be careful that you don’t trample on history in an effort to create a new story.
Note:
I normally link Willis from your blog.
Publicity will do a number on you if your not careful….
Be careful!!!!
Webb
The first anonymous poster got it right early this morning…after a day like today:
Stock Market: DOWN 400 Points
Barrel of Gas: UP $10.75 to $138…$5-a-gallon by 4th of July Projections.
Jobs: 49,000 LOST in May (Biggest Lost since 1986)
We got more to worry about than a SpikeLee/Clint Eastwood Feud.
As the saying goes…
When the American economy catches a “cold,” the AA economy gets pneumonia…
Why are you all surprised about Courtney being so fickle and capricious in her diction. “Uppity” racist? Haha, where my true brothas and sistas at???
Anonymous
“The point is that to be historically correct….if that is what your claiming…and it is what Eastwood is claiming…then you must have blacks, women, natives, and latinos in the picture.”
No – he doesn’t. It seems redundant to say this, but “Flags of Our Fathers” focused solely on the American troops that raised the flag on Iwo Jima, and how they were used by the government for propoganda purposes. It was not a movie about the battle itself, which did feature a variety of Americans. In fact, one of the actors, Adam Beach, is Native American and played the role of Ira Hayes, a member of the Pima tribe.
Spike has issues. Maybe it’s all those extra copies of Girl 6 that are taking up space in his basement.
- KXB
Anonymous
Sadly, Sgt McPhatter’s experience is not mirrored in Flags of Our Fathers, Clint Eastwood’s big-budget, Oscar-tipped film of the battle for the Japanese island that opened on Friday in the US. While the film’s battle scenes show scores of young soldiers in combat, none of them are African-American. Yet almost 900 African-American troops took part in the battle of Iwo Jima, including Sgt McPhatter.
“teh google”…
You can even find first hand information about soldiers at Iwo Jima at the “flag raising” event. I won’t do your research for you….
“teh google”
markg8
I don’t even think there were any black marines in 1945. If there were and they were on Iwo Jima they were probably relegated to unloading ships on the beach. The Navy was the Boston Red Sox of the services back then and the Marines being a subservice of the Navy well…
Spike Lee is a great filmmaker. Clint Eastwood is a great filmmaker. But Spike needs to take a history class that goes back more than 50 years I guess.
markg8
Oh and that reporter, lil Miss Uppity whoever she is? She needs to find a new job. Maybe unloading ships for the Marines.
Anonymous
“The heroic actions of the Montford Point Marines during this period eventually earned them the respect of all Marines,” Head said. “By the war’s end, being a Montford Point Marine became a badge of honor.”
Doughty was one of the many Montford Point Marines sent ashore at Iwo Jima to experience one of the bloodiest and most famed battles in history. He even celebrated his 21st birthday on the black sands and remembers his squad receiving its first hot meal in almost a month that day.
“We fought just like everyone else and did our best to live up to the title Marine,” Doughty said. “At Iwo, it was said, and I quote, ‘The Negro Marine is no longer on trial. They are Marines.’ And my point is that this is not just black history. This is Marine Corps history.”
Doughty explained the battle to the MSG Marines who listened intently as he described the actions of his fellow Montford Point Marines and other well-known heroes such as Medal of Honor recipient Jack Lucas, whom Doughty said he knew very well.
After describing the battle overseas, Doughty explained the battle faced back home when the Marines returned.
“teh google”…2 seconds
Montford Point Marine, Iwo Jima Veteran Visits MSG Battalion
Written by: Lance Cpl. Travis J. Crewdson
Quantico Sentry March 8, 2007
Good night all….
markg8
Well good Anon I stand corrected. It’s good to hear that the Marines were all that enlightened by 1945. But if the Montford Point Marines weren’t part of the story they weren’t part of the story. Clintwood was trying to tell an accurate story.
Did you see his Japanese side sequel? This is all about getting these stories right.
Maybe Spike should make a movie about every black unit in the US military if he that’s interested. But if he’s gonna do it about WW2 he’s about out of time if he expects to get direct testimony.
Craig Hickman
I have issues with Spike Lee. But let’s not diminish his accomplisments. Malcolm X was his only film biography, yes, but you don’t just get to leave all his other work about Black Folk off this list, even if you didn’t like any of it.
And all the films listed by Eastwood and Spielberg are adapted screenplays (don’t get me started on Spielberg’s The Color Purple) as is Malcolm X.
But Clint nor Stephen can boast an ORIGINAL screenplay about Black Folk. Spike scripted She’s Gotta Have It, Mo Better Blues, School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Crooklyn, and Jungle Fever–a body of work any filmmaker would be proud of–from scratch.
I don’t care deeply about this fight either–although Lee’s point is well-taken as many have already written–but that’s no reason to diminish Spike Lee’s art.
Pamela
Spike Lee has made great, groundbreaking films. He can also be a whinny prima-donna. Sure there were african americans in Iwo Jima but the movie is about the men who rose the flag. Spike should make a movie about the blacks who served vs. criticizing another great filmmakers work. Not everything is about black people and although it would be nice, not everyone is concerned about making the black population or any other group happy when they are putting forth there work.
And Courtney Hazlett said something offensive probably without realizing it but she is not stupid. She’s a Columbia grad whose worked in journalism for a while. Unfortunetly most of her work has been for tabloids so she tends to add the drama in her reports.
Anonymous
“It has greater focus on the battle, keeping the tension up, throughout. As well, having fewer characters allows the viewer more connection to them. This is the trickiest part of any war movie, where there are so many similarly dressed characters on screen.”
Synopsis for
Letters from Iwo Jima
you guessed it…that daggum google!!
Hardly a camera and four flag raisers….
Those who forget history…
andyfrombrooklyn
i want to see spielburg do a movie about corbin kentucky in the 1930′s when a white posse crossed the tracks at night rousted the blacks from their shacks, burned the shacks, and put them on boxcars and sent them out of town that very night.
andyfrombrooklyn
then i want to see spielburg do a movie about a palestinian famil being cut off from their relatives and land by checkpoints.
Craig Hickman
Spike should make a movie about the blacks who served vs. criticizing another great filmmakers work.
::
I always cringe at statements like these.
I know you’re not saying this, pamela, but it reminds me of the people who say if you don’t like your country, then leave it.
Different, but the same.
Artists have a responsibility to criticize other artists. They don’t need to simply make the work they want to see.
For me, Lee’s criticism was that that the landscape of war portrayed by Eastwood was lacking. It’s a fair criticism. No one is asking Eastwood to have told a different story. But that doesn’t mean the story he told couldn’t have been improved by the inclusion of some American people of color on the battlefields.
Lee doesn’t need to make a movie about Negro servicemen if he doesn’t want to. But he can still criticize Eastwood with credibility and authority.
::
As for the uppity remark. Did y’all hear when Andrea Mitchell called Virginians in Appalachia rednecks?
KarmiCommunist
Spike Lee should make a movie about the price of oil…before it goes over $150-a-barrel. In it, Spike can show how the “House Democrats” vote on energy policies. Roy Blunt has some info out, and I am sure he would share it with Spike:
ANWR Exploration House Republicans: 91% Supported House Democrats: 86% Opposed
Coal-to-Liquid
House Republicans: 97% Supported
House Democrats: 78% Opposed
Oil Shale Exploration
House Republicans: 90% Supported
House Democrats: 86% Opposed
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Exploration
House Republicans: 81% Supported
House Democrats: 83% Opposed
Refinery Increased Capacity
House Republicans: 97% Supported
House Democrats: 96% Opposed
SUMMARY
91% of House Republicans have historically voted to increase the production of American-made oil and gas.
86% of House Democrats have historically voted against increasing the production of American-made oil and gas.
N. Mahana
@ Webb
5$ a gallon by July 4th! You are right we have a LOT more things to worry about than this silly shit.
@ KXB (5:02)
I actually liked Girl 6. Teresa Randle is a wondeful and underrated actress.
J
Spike is right. There were African-Americans saving white butt on Iwo Jima and America has white-washed them right out of the picture. Same for most WWII movies in fact. WWII wasn’t THAT damn segregated! Anyway, Eastwood is a symptom not a cause. A symptom of a few things it appears since he thinks he can tell a grown man to shut up.

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