We’ve gone through the names—Negro, African American, African, Black. For me that’s an indication of a people still trying to find their identity. Who determines what is black? Spike Lee More Quotes by Spike Lee More Quotes From Spike Lee I believe in destiny. But I also believe that you can’t just sit back and let destiny happen. A lot of times, an opportunity might fall into your lap, but you have to be ready for that opportunity. You can’t sit there waiting on it. A lot of times you are going to have to get out there and make it happen. Spike Lee opportunitybelievefall I think black people have to be in control of their own image because film is a powerful medium. We can't just sit back and let other people define our existence. Spike Lee powerfulpeoplethinking You gotta make your own way. You gotta find a way. You gotta get it done. It's hard. It's tough. That's what I tell my students every day in class. I've been very fortunate. Some people might call me a hardhead, but I'm not going to let other people dictate to me who I should be or the stories I should tell. That doesn't register with me. Spike Lee classmotivationalinspirational Those that'll tell don't know, and those that know won't tell. Spike Lee knows It comes down to this: black people were stripped of our identities when we were brought here, and it's been a quest since then to define who we are. Spike Lee blackidentitypeople Don't think that because you haven't heard from me for a while that I went to sleep. I am still here, like a spirit roaming the night. Thirsty, hungry, seldom stopping to rest. Spike Lee sleepnightthinking Power is knowing your past. Spike Lee experienceknowingpast I may have been born yesterday, but I stayed up all night. Spike Lee yesterdaymaynight I think it is very important that films make people look at what they've forgotten. Spike Lee importantpeoplethinking 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. Spike Lee thought-provokingtryingpeople I think people who have faults are a lot more interesting than people who are perfect. Spike Lee perfectpeoplethinking It has been my observation that parents kill more dreams than anybody. Spike Lee observationparentdream When you love something it's not a job anymore. Spike Lee jobs I give interracial couples a look. Daggers. They get uncomfortable when they see me on the street. Spike Lee coupleracismgiving Everybody does what they want to do for their own specific reasons. Spike Lee reason When I went to school, you had to take art, you had to play an instrument. You had to play an instrument. But it's all degraded since then. I do not know what kind of nation we are that is cutting art, music, and gym out of the public-school curriculum. Spike Lee cuttingartschool It gets dangerous when you start allowing people to validate your work. Spike Lee allowingdangerouspeople We've got to turn this backward thinking around where ignorance is championed over intelligence. Young black kids being ridiculed by their peers for getting A's and speaking proper English: that's criminal. Spike Lee ignorancekidsthinking I don't think my films are going to get rid of racism or prejudice. I think the best thing my films can do is provoke discussion. Spike Lee prejudiceracismthinking As a people we do not need anyone else's stamp of approval. Spike Lee approvalpeopleneeds
