Spike A Black African American Entrepreneur example essay topic

Spike Lee The man we know as Spike was born Shelton Jackson Lee on March 20, 1957 in Atlanta, Georgia. The first of five children, he got the nickname Spike from his mother for being a tough baby. Spikes tendency to be difficult is one that goes right back to the crib. The infant Spike, much like the man he grew into, was small but loud. The family he was born into was great for a number of reasons. His parents, college educated newlyweds, both came from families stressing creativity and black tradition.

Bill Lee, Spikes father, was born in 1929 in Snow Hill Alabama. He was a jazz composer / musician nicknamed Bleek. His mother Jacquelyn Shelton Lee taught art and black history. The Lees tried to instill a sense of humor in their children, along with educating them in black culture.

They rationed the young ones TV time, Forbade rock music, In favor of jazz and folk, and had each offspring learn to play a instrument. Spike, a shy, quiet boy, took guitar and piano lessons. He also played and loved every type of sport. Spike denies that he ever had any thoughts of becoming a film maker in those early years. Becoming one of very few black film makers has made Spike a black African American entrepreneur and has given many young black people something to believe in and strive for.

Spike Lee regions as one of the worlds most controversial filmmakers thus contributing to the controversial issues in his films. Movies have a way of enriching us like no other art form. They can change us, touch us and influence us. They can introduce us to foreign lands and foreign ideas.

At their best, they can invite us to reconsider our point of view. Spike Lee the acclaimed movie director / producer/ writer / actor, is the most influential filmmaker of his time His directing caused major controversy in his early years, but as he matured he began to present his ideas more open-mindedly and tolerantly. His collection of films enrich us with new ways that we as a human race can learn to live together in peace. His work builds new roads for the world to start on a new journey. If Spike has his way, the journey that began as a hate-filled race war will turn into the road of understanding and tolerance that will one day end in mutual respect and harmony. Shelton Jackson Spike Lee has been a hero to many people.

He has brought out the real issues that people need to see and confront. (One last item: when it comes to capitalizing names of races, book publishers, magazines and newspapers all have their own policies and house styles. Some capitalize White but not blacks; others [ including Spike lees books capitalize Black but not white]. Aiming to be fair and grammatically correct this paper capitalizes them both) II. Never has any young black director / producer/ writer / actor/ editor done so much to pave the path for others to follow. A. Spike Lee made his mark as an entrepreneur by taking the risks necessary to make films based on African American life. 1.

Hes the one filmmaker whos made it and stayed black said director John Singleton (Pa pg. 188) a. Spike Lee was among the first black filmmakers to win respect in Hollywood with out going Hollywood. He had little interest in flamboyant lifestyles that the film industry offered. b. Spike has made his films to show how it really is for blacks. c. Lee holds back no stops, he gives out the truth. 2.

I want to be remembered for honest, true portrayals of blacks and for being our richness to the screen says Spike (Bernotas pg-95) B. Spike was concerned that there were few blacks in Hollywood working behind the cameras as producers, directors, cameramen. He dreamed of ushering in a new era of black filmmaking in Hollywood. 1. Spike put this trend in vogue notes Mark Canton of Warner Bros. His talent opened the door for others Van Pebbles agrees. If it werent for Spike I wouldnt be here.

(Bernotas pg-93) C. Im not making movies to become famous or become filthy rich or to have ten million beautiful women. I just want to present black people as I know them. (Bernotas pg-50) 1. The important thing is, Im doing what makes me happy, 99% of the people in this world go to their grave having worked at a job they hated. (Bernotas pg-52) D. Spike has done much more than make movies to help out his fellow repressed black brother. 1.

Spike has given money to many charities. a. In sharing his wealth with the black community, Spike established two annual $5,000 grants, Spike Lees Minority Fellow ship to help two or three year black students at New York University Tisch School of the Arts. b. He has also gave $50,000 to United Negro Collage Fund and raised an additional $200,000.. Spike Lee is one of the most racist bigots on the earth! This comment is very common among the uneducated educated. A. Im not a racist; Im not a bigot; Im not an anti-Semitic. What I try to do with all my characters is offer what I feel are honest portraits of individuals with both faults and enduring characters says Spike (Parish pg.

- 211) 1. If critics are telling me that to avoid charges of anti-Semitism all Jewish characters I write have to be model citizens, and not one can be a villain, cheat or a crook, and that no Jewish people have ever exploited black artists in history of entertainment industry, thats unrealistic and unfair. said Spike (Patterson pg-159) a. All I have is questions. Very few of us have any real answers. Most have FALSE BOGUS ANSWERS, to FALSE SOLUTIONS, speakers of the UNTRUTH. Questions Is a person a racist if he / she dose not approve of interracial marriages or relationships Is white always gonna be ALL RIGHT and black GET BACK Is the epitome of beauty in this world always gonna be the WHITE ANGLO-SAXON FEMALE Is the black male the super human sexual stud and thats all Are we ever gonna live together in peace asked Spike (Patterson pg-171) b.

We love said Spike love and hate he goes on are we gonna live together Together are we gonna live (Patterson pg-123) B. Im black. Its a fact. Like saying the sky is blue. Am I bitter about it No. Am I angry about it No. Am I aware what it means to be a black in America today Yes.

Said Spike. 1. Im white its a fact. Its like saying grass is green.

Do I feel superior about it No. Do I hold offensive views about blacks because of it No. Am I aware of what it means to be black in America today. Well maybe not.

But Im trying. I know that no white can ever really know what it means to be a different color- no, not even with the black like me shoe-polish treatment. But, contrary to what some racial radicals proclaim, there are few of us out there who recognize the seriousness of the situation and would like to make some small contribution to improving it. a. Black people are not thought of as equals, argues Spike, therefor you have a qualifying word like black director. he has a valid point Steven Spielberg or Martins Corse se, for example are almost never referred to as white directors. b. Anybody whos black knows you have to be two or three times better. I had to be at least that good in film school, and, in the majors, youve got to be ten times better.

It affects me; your never counted or judged as a person. Its black this and black that. But you try to put it past you, Focus on your work. Says Spike c. You really carry a burden as a black filmmaker. There are so few black films that when you do one it has to represent every black person in the world argues Mr. Lee d.

My work is to put the vast richness of black culture on film. Thats a big job. I just try and draw upon the great culture we have as a people explains Spike, from the music, novels, and the streets. C. What kind of black man gets respect 1. Only famous black men, otherwise people arent interested and wont give you the time of day as a black man. a. Michael Jordan. b.

Tiger Woods. c. Michael Jackson. d. Barry White. D. In society and in filmmaking slurs against black African Americans are commonly accepted as part of the language and text of movies. 1. The film Jackie Brown directed by Quentin Tarantino had excessive use of black slurs. a. This film used nigger an excessive 38 times. b.

This is not the only film that has the excessive use of slurs towards blacks. Others such as Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction directed by Taran tion also have unnecessary use. 2. Spike states Im not against the word and I use it, but not excessively. And some people speak that way, Lee says... [but] I want Quentin to know that all African- Americans do not think that word is trendy or slick. a. If I has used the word kike 38 times in Mo Better Blues, It would have been my last picture.

Argues Spike LAST = One thing the white man can never give the black man is self-respect! The Autobiography of Malcolm X.. What is Spike trying to do by making these movies A. Spike I never tried to position myself as a spokesman, thats something the media has tried to put upon me. He goes on with Ive never really thought of myself as a spokesperson for all 35 million African Americans...

All my views have been solely my views, and I think that there are African American people who agree with me, but we also have African Americans who dont agree... It is a fallacy that all of my critics are white. 1. Spike Lee says that he cannot and does not want to be the savior of black filmmaking; Im not trying to right everything thats been wrong as far as film and black people are concerned for the last 100 years. a. Spike feels Every film shouldnt be about some urban, hip hop drug thing. b.

Spike says Im not saying Im the grand pooh bah of black cinema. I say this is a challenge. Lets be more creative. B. Spike is trying to keep it real by doing the right thing. 1.

He is staying black despite the pressures form society. a. Lee makes movies on his very questionable culture. b. Lee is trying to make the world a better place. Closing; Spike Lee is, has been, and will forever be one of the greatest filmmakers of our time. Just because he doesnt spend $200 million on his movies or have elaborate SFX with dinosaurs doesnt mean he isnt the cream of the crop. Spike never ceases to tell interesting and thought provoking stories...

The goal of any good filmmaker. Another goal of Spikes is to lead us on a path toward a society with real equality. Spike has gone and shown us the way to this threw his movies. Shes Gotta Have its closing credits and this paper include the inscription this film (or paper) was made with no jeri curls and no drugs. Shelton Jackson Spike Lee is a hero to us all, and if you dont agree with me in the words of Mr. Spike Lee kiss my ass two times. 2.

It is hard to get the proper amount of money to make a good film. a. Spike the reason I act in my films, is because its easier to get my films made with me in them. There will come a time, hopefully soon, where I wont have to be in my films to get them made or to get the kind of money I want b. No one wanted to give him a chance and invest money in him but his own grandmother. II.

Five for five! A. Shes Got Have It 1. Even the tittle of this movie rose questions. a. What does she have to have b. How can he make a movie like this, it is imposable. 2. Cost spike a grueling 175,000 dollars to get it made. a.

All where no name actors and actress. b.