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February 26th, 2014
10:12 PM ET
AC360 Exclusive with Spike Lee: "I find it interesting that you need an influx of white New Yorkers for the services to go up"
Spike Lee's films often get the country talking about tough issues like race, sex and religion. During an event at Brooklyn's Pratt University, he argued that New York is just one of the cities being transformed by people with high incomes moving into traditionally lower-income neighborhoods. His remarks have spurred new national debate over gentrification. Lee told Anderson "you cannot deny race plays a part."
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Spike Lee: "So, why did it take this great influx of white people to get the schools better? Why’s there more police protection in Bed Stuy and Harlem now? Why’s the garbage getting picked up more regularly? We been here!"
Because Spike, when too many people believe in crapping all over the place then everyone gives up. When people with pride and respect move in, everything changes. Be glad that people with pride and respect have moved in bringing hope with them.
If you do not understand what I am talking about, see the movie "Do the Right Thing." It's a great movie about certain people who crap all over a neighborhood and what happens to it and them as a result.
I don't fully agree with @SpikeLee, as a society that is continually changing, we need to realise that culture is not static. The fact that we've maybe grown up in an area longer, and even understand the heritage, does not make us cultural experts who feel it necessary to police dynamics and areas of society. I am totally for new neighbours respecting their fellow neighbours in an area, however it should not be because the culture of an area twenty years ago was a certain way, but because dignity and respect should be given to our fellow man. Culture today is informed by evolving contexts, and although we should continue to ask questions and evaluate the implications of change, we need to accept that change is inevitable.
Reblogged this on BMC. PROJECT.