After causing a stir with his incendiary yet honest comments about gentrification in Brooklyn and New York City as a whole, Spike Lee appeared on Anderson Cooper 360 to explain exactly where he was coming from.
According to Lee, his issue with gentrification isn't people moving into new neighborhoods, it's the lack of appreciation for the neighborhood's history and wanton sense of entitlement that's on display:
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He also discussed a bigger issue: the soaring cost of living. Lee believes that if people can no longer afford to live in New York City, the city itself will suffer:
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Considering his confrontational approach to filmmaking and proclivity for speaking his mind, Lee is no stranger to controversy. Hopefully, the clarity that Lee provided here shows that his original comments come from passion and a belief in the city's greater good as opposed to a hateful place.
Rosie Perez, who appeared in Lee's seminal classic Do the Right Thing, alluded to the truth in his words. In an interview with Leonard Lopate, the actress and dancer extraordinaire agreed with his assessment:
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Perez also reinforced Lee's belief that measures need to be taken to resolve the issue so New York City becomes the city that everyone needs it to be:
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