Written by Julian Kimble (@JRK316)
The "Defend Brooklyn" hoodie that Spike Lee wore last night should've been a clear indicator regarding his thoughts on gentrification in the borough that raised him.
Last night, Lee appeared at Pratt Institute for a Black History Month lecture, but the discussion quickly became a piercingly truthful rant from the opinionated auteur. Citing a New York Times article about the supposed good of gentrification, Lee unleashed a seven-minute tirade about how the changes in Brooklyn infuriate him, specifically the "Christopher Columbus Syndrome."
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The Daily Intelligencer transcribed the moment, which had about as many f-words as a Scorsese flick. Here are the highlights:
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On the aforementioned "Columbus Syndrome":
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On how the changes have alienated longtime residents:
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On how the rising cost of living has priced people out of neighborhoods, and those "motherf****** hipsters" in Williamsburg:
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On the frustrating practice of re-naming neighborhoods that already have names:
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On how he predicted gentrification over 25 years ago with the infamous Larry Bird shirt scene in Do the Right Thing:
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Finally, on how gentrification hasn't made the neighborhood better for everyone:
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That last statement is the key to the argument that Lee and so many others make about gentrification: that's it's only beneficial to some people. The only difference between Lee and the next disgruntled 56-year-old Broolynite is that he's Spike Lee—when he shares his thoughts (which are accurate), people listen. Also, his words resonate with non-New Yorkers because the same thing is happening in cities all over the U.S.
Do the Right Thing, widely recognized as Lee's strongest film, turns 25 in June. If a special edition release with commentary like this about the changes in Brooklyn isn't already in the works, it should be—especially after this. Listen to audio of the full exchange to truly feel Lee's passion.
[via Daily Intelligencer and Gothamist]
