Spike Lee: “…you’ll have to measure time by before Obama and after Obama.”
Posted by Dirty Harry on Monday, July 14th, 2008
You probably thought all my Obama as Jesus stuff was hyperbole. To be honest with you, so did I:
Q: In this age of Barack Obama and the country talking more about race, do you feel the entertainment industry is more open now than it has been in the past on subjects involving African-Americans?
[Spike Lee]: Well, I don’t know necessarily so, but I do think that this November – excuse me – he’ll take the oath January 20th. When that happens, it will change everything. It will change the whole dynamics. I think that is going to be the most historic moment – one of the most historic moments in American history, world history, and you’ll have to measure time by before Obama and after Obama. So I’m very excited. It’s an exciting time to be alive now, and I think that with him coming into this position it’s going to affect art, sports, everything. Everything is going to be affected by this seismic change of the universe.
If just one “seismic change of the universe” is that people like Spike Lee stop whining about all things black, it might be worth it. They won’t, but a brother can dream, right?
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Tom Aricoon 14 Jul 2008 at 7:29 pm 1It looks like skin color is extremely important to some people.
Of course, most of those people are on the left.
There is very little difference between Obama an any other sucessfull politician. Obama pandered to the hard left to get the nomination, now he’s running to the center to win the general election. He avoided many votes (voting present) so he woulden’t be challanged on a position. He talks of generalities in his speeches, (hope and change) but nothing specific so he remains immune from challange.
There’s nothing new or different about Obama…..except his skin color.
GMKon 14 Jul 2008 at 7:45 pm 2Between Obama’s problems of being a lightweight, too far left, and the wrong color to get-out-the-vote with poor whites (Dem’s most important demographic), and the Dem congress’s completely insane response (so far) to oil prices… it’s going to be a fun election cycle.
Patrickon 14 Jul 2008 at 7:55 pm 3Obama has already referred to himself as the “Imperfect Vessel”, if that tells you how he thinks of himself.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-02-11-obama-2008_x.htm
Carlitoson 14 Jul 2008 at 8:23 pm 4Everything is going to be affected by this seismic change of the universe.
It’s comments like these from the Obamanuts that have me wringing my hands in anticipation of a McCain victory. Their tears of anguish and despair will taste so sweet in my mouth! muahahaha!
Stickwick Staperson 14 Jul 2008 at 9:39 pm 5…this seismic change of the universe.
Geez, got perspective?
Troyon 14 Jul 2008 at 9:46 pm 6I dunno Stickwick… I stubbed my toe this morning — it was totally more painful than the Holocaust.
Lauraon 14 Jul 2008 at 9:49 pm 7“I think that is going to be the most historic moment – one of the most historic moments in American history, world history, and you’ll have to measure time by before Obama and after Obama.”
Unfortunately, I agree with him that this might be true if Obama were elected. But I don’t see that as a good thing like Mr. Lee does. I find it profoundly disturbing, and it is the only thing driving me to the polls to vote for McCain.
Bobon 14 Jul 2008 at 10:06 pm 8Not that I’m any great fan of Obama (seems like a nice guy, won’t be the end of the world if he wins, disagree with him roughly as much as I do with McCain, annoyed by the messianism of his fans but what can y’do?) or of Lee outside of filmmaking; but I can’t deny that he has it mostly right on this one.
The notion that the election of a black man to the Presidency of the United States WOULDN’T be a momentous occasion is just, imo, silly. Even if it doesn’t make a shred of immediate practical difference, there’s no denying that this would permanently reshape (to a certain degree) the topic of race in America. I mean, set aside feelings about Obama PERSONALLY (or politically) for a minute and just consider the following: From that point on, there would now be a concrete, real-world, non-theoretical example to point to when we say to young black (or whatever) children “YOU could grow up to president.” Jackie Robinson changed the face of baseball FOREVER, this would do the same for American politics.
Now, does that mean the guy should get a “pass” on any other issues? Does that mean the positive after-affects are a sole and sufficient reason to elect him? HELL NO! But when Spike and others say this would be one of those moments that turns timelines into “pre and post” eras - yeah, it would. Would it be anything beyond symbolic? Probably not, but symbols can be a hell of a thing. To this day here in New England, otherwise highly-conservative ethnic Italian and Irish Catholics keep photos of John and Robert Kennedy on the wall next to Jesus and Mary. Why? You know why.
David Marcoeon 14 Jul 2008 at 10:12 pm 9The notion that the election of a black man to the Presidency of the United States WOULDN’T be a momentous occasion is just, imo, silly.
The real momentous occasion will be when no one considers it a momentous occasion.
Tommy Von 14 Jul 2008 at 10:25 pm 10Bob,
I disagree. Obviously, those who already partake in identity politics will be affected by an Obama presidency.
Those who do not, have no reason to see it as anything other than a nice thing that may encourage the previously mentioned people to shut up about identity politics. (They won’t)
There was an interesting conversation I heard on Limbaugh’s program a few months back. It was a black man very excited that Obama was going to win the nomination. He claimed this would be proof to his sons that the opportunity was there to achieve anything they wanted.
Rush asked him if he really needed Obama to win the presidency to feel that way.
The man said that yes he did.
Rush then took it to the next logical step and asked if Hillary losing was then proof to all the women out there that they can not achieve their goals in life.
The man found himself stuck, answering then that, no, Hillary’s loss didn’t mean that. This of course nullified his first answer about Obama.
I don’t need an Obama victory to end the racial divide.
I need people to stop creating a racial divide for power, ego and profit where there is none.
That will end the racial divide.
Opuson 14 Jul 2008 at 11:00 pm 11Wanda Sykes, the comedian does a wonderful bit about Obama wining.
She says black people won’t be able to complain about “the man” anymore because they are “the man.”
JBon 14 Jul 2008 at 11:51 pm 12Sorry. An affirmative action presidency isn’t going to teach black children a damn thing, except that to get ahead you must become proficient at manipulating white people.
Barack’s M.O. is simple blackmail — “you will let me get away with an unprecedented amount of bullsh*t in this campaign, and I won’t play the race card.”
Taking America down this path isn’t going to help blacks, and in his heart of hearts Spike knows it.
Bobon 15 Jul 2008 at 1:23 am 13David
“The real momentous occasion will be when no one considers it a momentous occasion.”
For that occasion to come, it kinda has to HAPPEN at least once.
Tommy
“I don’t need an Obama victory to end the racial divide.”
I never said that it would, and I sincerely doubt that’s what Spike means, either. He said it’s going to change the dynamic - I don’t know how that can be seriously disputed. It’s not going to “end” any divide or probably even make a practical difference in peoples day to day lives, but it’d be a huge moment none the less. GOOD huge moment? That’s up to you, but the “the first…” ANYTHING is always a big deal. Hell, McCain will be (correct me if I’m wrong here) the first ‘Nam combat vet elected president, yes? That’ll be a big deal, too. And Hillary as the first woman would’ve been a big deal (bigger than Obama, really.) Romney would’ve been the first Mormon, it’s just how these things work.
mjkon 15 Jul 2008 at 5:23 am 14Newsflash to Spike Lee:
Barack Obama is just a politician. He’d screw you over if it was expedient or if you were in his way. He’ll contradict himself if polls show that his previous positions are not popular. He’ll lie, he’ll cheat, he’ll steal to get what he wants.
This childish notion about how politicians should be this or that is amusing. They’re politicians - if they were covered by being in the Senate or the Congress, they’d be in jail by now. Obama isn’t any different.
This mindless and childish worship of Barack Obama explains why Spike Lee and the other celebrities are actors and directors and the like - they’re too stupid to be anything else. You know, anything useful. Of course, this doesn’t say much complimentary about the regular folks who think Barack Obama is the bestest thing since sliced bread.
Robert Lindseyon 15 Jul 2008 at 6:34 am 15…it’s going to affect art, sports, everything.
Wow, it’s about time we got some people of color into sports!
mjk is right that he will screw over anyone, as will most politicians. I wonder if Spike Lee would have felt the same about a Rice or Powell presidency? If so, I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.
JimmyCon 15 Jul 2008 at 6:47 am 16So 2008 will be the last A.D. year, and next year will be the year 1 A.O. (After Obama). Oh man, now I gotta get a whole new calendar.
This kind of media-driven hero-worship won’t last forever. Sure JFK got away with it, but he didn’t live in the age of YouTube, when all of a public figure’s warts are exposed for the world to see.
Those who are put on this kind of pedestal have a long way to fall.
Stephanieon 15 Jul 2008 at 6:51 am 17You know this is a classic example of the mirror. Spike Lee is no different from the people he complains about. You want identity politics? Here you have an example of it. Do we really need this no. That Rush quote was a good one. The left chases its tail with its arguements because everything one little smidgen of their coalition wants another little smidgen does not. And the stupidity its like nothing anyone could ever imagine. They really don’t realize they have become what they hate the most do they?
Danielon 15 Jul 2008 at 8:25 am 18I partly agree with Bob, and I think Lee has a point that, if Obama becomes POTUS, history will refer to the era before Obama & after Obama.
I think the election of black American as POTUS would be a great thing. I hope it would mean we can shove Rev. Jesse, Rev. Al, and all their race-hustling ilk off the stage. The thing is I don’t think an Obama Presidency will do this because of Obama’s radical left-liberal politics, which is dependent on identity politics and the politics of race. In fact, I would bet that race relations would get worse. In part because I think one of the acts the Left-wing Congress would pass is Reparations to black Americans, which, I believe, Obama would surely sign.
What I mean when I say that history will refer to the era before & after Obama is that they will look at the time when America was America, when it embodied the antithesis to European socialism, when it could be counted on as a bulwark for freedom and liberty. An Obama Presidency would set in stone a left-liberal America - the America desired by the left-liberal Academia, by the left-liberal Hollywood Entertainment-Industrial Complex, by the left-liberal Main Stream Media.
I greatly fear what this country would become with the radical left-wing Obama leading a radical left-wing Congress, radical left-wing SCOTUS, lectured to by “intellectuals” from the radical left-wing Academia, and given “news” from a radical left-wing Media. That is what we can expect “post-Obama”.
Addison DeWitton 15 Jul 2008 at 9:55 am 19Bob
I generally like your analysis but disagree on a fundamental point. How Obama’s putative election is intepreted is a function of ones political outlook. If you are a conservative, you would generally see Obama’s election as merely the promise of America’s greatness fulfilled (as it is fulfilled in countless ways everyday). But if you are a liberal, Obama’s election will be anticipated as a thunderbolt from Mount Olympus; a reality changing event refuting every claim the left makes about America’s racism and bigotry. But if he is actually elected, the reality will not match the anticipation. Liberals will find some way, some contorted argument, to deny its import and maintain their belief that America is still a racist nation.
TROon 15 Jul 2008 at 10:47 am 20“The notion that the election of a black man to the Presidency of the United States WOULDN’T be a momentous occasion is just, imo, silly. Even if it doesn’t make a shred of immediate practical difference, there’s no denying that this would permanently reshape (to a certain degree) the topic of race in America. I mean, set aside feelings about Obama PERSONALLY (or politically) for a minute and just consider the following: From that point on, there would now be a concrete, real-world, non-theoretical example to point to when we say to young black (or whatever) children “YOU could grow up to president.” Jackie Robinson changed the face of baseball FOREVER, this would do the same for American politics.”
I’m not sure that is the kind of change Spike Lee and Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton and the rest of the old guard want though. Where will their excuses be when a black man has reached the highest office in the land?
Audietooon 15 Jul 2008 at 11:25 am 21We know what the old “unintended consequences” shibbleth does to liberal wet dreams, (think Great Society) and I think none of us including Spike Lee have a clue what this would really do. It could turn race relations into a battlefield if Obama does do something really dumb, lide reperations or it could help in all kinds of ways if he is controllable outside hhis racial comfort zone. It could be a left wing nilghtmare if he wins and a racial nightmare if he loses.
Audietooon 15 Jul 2008 at 11:27 am 22IMHO
Danielon 15 Jul 2008 at 11:28 am 23Isn’t there a tendency on the Left to renumber the years when they remake the world, recreating the calendar to reflect the “New Age” as Year One?
Kiton 15 Jul 2008 at 11:29 am 24A black man attaining the highest office would be important. But I would prefer a good white POTUS to a bad black POTUS or a good black POTUS to a bad white POTUS (Powell over Reid).
In other words: Judge the POTUS by his/her merits.
Addison DeWitton 15 Jul 2008 at 12:00 pm 25Daniel
I think the French during the revolution and the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia both restarted calenders. I don’t know if others did though.
Troyon 15 Jul 2008 at 12:03 pm 26I think Spike Lee is 100% correct. We will soon have pre-Apocalypse and Post-Apocalypse.
Thanks.
nightflyon 15 Jul 2008 at 2:17 pm 27I think that Spike Lee is full of crap, judging from all the Uncle Tom comments that Clarence Thomas had (and still has) to put up with. He was the wrong sort of black guy, I guess.
I believe it was Jesse Jackson Jr. who said that a whole new book of the Bible could be added for an Obama presidency - though I cannot properly credit the person who first replied that we don’t really need “Second Revelations.”
RWAon 16 Jul 2008 at 9:58 pm 28I measure Spike by “before Malcolm X” and “after Malcolm X” Before: the most promising and talented of the explosion of aggressively creative independent filmmakers which emerged in the late eighties and early nineties.
After: One note, over and over again, and some of the most misbegotten excuses for satire in recent memory
He should have told Ernie Dickerson “I don’t care if you want to direct, my movies look like crap without you photographing them!”