Spike Lee (On Obama, "Thank The Clintons")

Chrysler LLC Honors Spike Lee
with the Sixth Annual Behind the Lens Award
CNN's Soledad O'Brien to Host
· Spike Lee is one of today's most prolific and respected artists who helped launch the careers of stars including Halle Berry, Samuel L. Jackson, John Turturro, Wesley Snipes and Denzel Washington
· Behind the Lens Award recognizes the extraordinary achievements of individuals working behind the camera in film and television
· Lee joins previous recipients Quincy Jones, John Singleton, Melvin Van Peebles, Gordon Parks and Reuben Cannon

(Auburn Hills, Michigan) -- Spike Lee, one of the most influential figures in contemporary cinema, has been named the Chrysler LLC 2008 Behind the Lens honoree. Lee, a director, producer, screenwriter, author and educator, is to be recognized for his outstanding achievements in film and television at the sixth annual award ceremony. Hosted by CNNs anchor Soledad O'Brien, the private invitation-only event will be held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles on March 26, 2008.

"We are very excited to have Spike Lee as the Behind the Lens Honoree for 2008," said Frank Fountain, Chrysler Senior Vice President - External Affairs and Public Policy (Auburn Hills). "Spike Lee is synonymous with thoughtful and provocative filmmaking and activism in Hollywood which has inspired a generation of filmmakers, uplifted actors and expanded the field to include many more African Americans in key roles behind the lens. He fully embodies the spirit behind this award and Chrysler is delighted to celebrate his commitment and passion."

Furthering his commitment to education, Lee visualized and supports the Morehouse College School of Sports Journalism, a program created to expand the very powerful and lucrative field of sports journalism to the small percentage of African Americans currently working in it today. The program, which began with seed money donated by Lee, launched its first course offerings in January 2007. A graduate of Morehouse, class of 1979, Lee is a 3rd generation Morehouse graduate and now serves on the school's Board of Trustees. To date, his efforts have raised over $1,000,000 to benefit the program.
2008 will mark Lee's Broadway debut when he directs a new production of "Stalag 17," the 1951 comedy-drama about American prisoners of war written by two former P.O.W.'s. Lee's next feature film, "Miracle at St. Anna," based on the bestselling author James McBride's novel, will be released in theatres Fall 2008.

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[guinnesstrail]

Right on, Brother Spike -- for mentioning the Native American Genocide and the Reservation/Concentration Camp System.

[trombonedemon]

There is no race, we're all the same genetically. Cleche' I know, but true. People generally, want to be apart of somthing, whether its skin, eyes, hair, or body type, thanks to nature wanting us to reproduce quickly, race is a social manipulation by those who think they are supperior to the rest of the world and label to control, truth is a motherfucker huh?! Ignorance is the leading killer of the only race, the humans! Buts its cool though, Racists make me feel so smart and warm and fuzzy!

[jcurry3school]

@jcurry3school It makes since that I would vote against that demographic. Black is a cue you see it tells me where my opposition is. Not all white people are racist but, I want to make sure I take advantage of any oppurtunity to hinder the ones that are. The difference between white and black people in America is that there is an effective force in the white community dedicated to making the black community miserable. We have our racist as well but, they aren't comparable to the inverse.

[jcurry3school]

@rhs6520 No thats what you want to hear. "...So basically," means that your going to ignore what my comment actually said and interpret in what you want it to say so, you can argue with that. "Yes of course alot of people didn't vote for Obama because he's black." This is my point. Politicians supporting this demographic often times make decisions and input policies that have a negative impact on the afro-amer com. If this demographic is not voting for Obama just because he's black...

[rhs6520]

@jcurry3school to vote for somebody just because of the color of their skin or gender has to be the stupidest reason to vote for somebody i ever heard.so basically your saying no matter what they stand for you will vote for them no matter what because of what color skin they have.yes of course alot of ppl didnt vote for obama cuz he is black.

[jcurry3school]

@rhs6520 I'm voting for him because the alternatives are batshit. I was pushing for Hilary in 09 but, Obama was the viable alternative. Re-read my comment and really consider his competition. And yes, I do think that ethnicity/gender is a good reason to vote for Obama/Hillary/etc. I am considering the pathological state of the country. Personally, I do believe that just as many or more people did not vote for Obama because of his skin color as did vote for him.

[rhs6520]

@jcurry3school if u would vote for somebody just for the color of their skin you shouldn't be voting at all, thats just a very stupid reason to vote for somebody.i live in L.A. we had the 1st latino mayor here,he's still the mayor.it would be very stupid of me to vote for him just cuz he's hispanic like me. i vote for somebody if i agree with their views not for the color of their skin.if i agree w/somebody i vote for them,if i dont then i dont vote for them

[jcurry3school]

@rhs6520 Personally I'm sick of people hiding behind this Idea that President Obama's ethinicity is not a good reason to vote for him. If you consider the impact that his accomplishment has had on the black youth specifically (whom America has scape-goated since the beginning of its formation) Even if the man does nothing, he does everything for the psycological condition of this country. Now lets consider the alternatives, Mitt Romney, Sarah WTF Palin and Michelle Bachman. Seriously?

[noodelship]

@massiahmassiah7

What does "a cool benefit for the poor, not even a flaw additional to make them progress." mean? Can you restate what you mean?

And as an aside, you can vote for whomever you want. It's meant to be anonymous, so if you had liked McCain you could have voted for him and your mother would have been none the wiser.

[massiahmassiah7]

@rhs6520 my mom actually forced me to vote for Barack Obama--first person I could vote for. Sadly, I was a dumb 18 year old now knowing his agenda lacks to bring up a cool benefit for the poor, not even a flaw additional to make them progress. Only more taxes and odd ways to make his words seem to fit right like they were once before. "Yes We can" (Bob the Builder) is now translating "Fatality" (Mortal Kombat)

[simboy418]

@rocketmansniper depends on your definition of "nation".  They were as much of a nation as mongols were. The only difference is that the mongols won. What you're saying is that because Europeans were better organized and better armed that they had every right to genocide. I wonder if you'd say the same thing if there comes a time when some other nation is better organized and better armed than us wants to kill every american off the Earth.

[simboy418]

@rocketmansniper depends on your definition of "nation". They much much of a nation as mongols were. The only difference is that the mongols won. What you're saying is that because Europeans were better organized and better armed that they had every right to genocide. I wonder if you'd say the same thing if there comes a time when some other nation is better organized and better armed than us wants to kill every american off the Earth.