Quotes By Spike Lee

I think that every minority in the United States of America knows everything about the dominant culture. From the time you can think, you are bombarded with images from TV, film, magazines, newspapers.

People of color have a constant frustration of not being represented, or being misrepresented, and these images go around the world.

I'm blessed, I can afford to send my children to private school.

For me, I believe in God, God is real.

Violence is a part of America. I don't want to single out rap music. Let's be honest. America's the most violent country in the history of the world, that's just the way it is. We're all affected by it.

First of all, what in this world does not revolve around money? But money is a big part of film, unlike a lot of other art forms.

Since the days of slavery, if you were a good singer or dancer, it was your job to perform for the master after dinner.

'Do the Right Thing' was my first union film. I looked at the rosters, and for the most part, it was white males. Especially the Teamsters. So we had some conversations.

I don't think I'm a total pessimist, so I think you can find hope in all my films.

I get offered to do stuff where the money's nice but it's not something I want to do - I get offered a lot of commercials too.

If we became students of Malcolm X, we would not have young black men out there killing each other like they're killing each other now. Young black men would not be impregnating young black women at the rate going on now. We'd not have the drugs we have now, or the alcoholism.

I think it is very important that films make people look at what they've forgotten.

I had a great education. From kindergarten to John Dewey High School in Coney Island, I am public-school educated.

Right now a lot of people are still choosing to go to Toronto instead of shooting in New York City, something I haven't done and something I hope I'll never have to do.

People think I'm this angry black man walking around in a constant state of rage.

I think people who have faults are a lot more interesting than people who are perfect.

And one thing Hollywood does well is sequels.

What's the difference between Hollywood characters and my characters? Mine are real.

I'm just trying to tell a good story and make thought-provoking, entertaining films. I just try and draw upon the great culture we have as a people, from music, novels, the streets.