Spike Lee: Obama's Election Will Be "Seismic Change"

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Spike Lee says the Rev. Jesse Jackson's crudely phrased criticism of Barack Obama won't affect the Democrat's campaign, which the filmmaker expects to succeed at bringing "seismic" change to the world.

"I don't think his (Jackson's) comments help anybody. It's just unfortunate," Lee said after taking part in a Television Critics Association panel.

Lee predicted Obama would be elected in November.

"When that happens, it will change everything. ... You'll have to measure time by `Before Obama' and `After Obama,'" Lee said during the panel. "It's an exciting time to be alive now."

The presidency of the first African-American will ripple throughout arts, sports and more, said Lee, whose films include "Malcolm X" and "Do the Right Thing."

"Everything's going to be affected by this seismic change in the universe," he said.

Lee attended the TV group's annual summer session to discuss documentaries he's making for ESPN Films, including one about Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jackson's comment about Obama came last Sunday during a break in Jackson's appearance on Fox News' "Fox & Friends." Unaware his microphone was on, Jackson told a fellow guest that Obama was "talking down" to blacks in speeches on morality at black churches; he also used a slang reference for wanting to sever Obama's testicles.

Jackson apologized Wednesday for "hurtful and wrong" remarks. Obama's campaign offered a low-key response, accepting the apology and defending against the notion that he neglected issues important to blacks.

Lee was more pointed when speaking of Jackson's remarks.

Asked if there was any validity to the criticism of Obama, Lee replied: "No. Here's the thing: I don't know why people are questioning whether Barack Obama is black enough. For me, that's an ignorant statement."

"There are middle-class, educated black people who speak the way he does. ... We have to try to move away from this so-called image of what black is, which is largely influenced by rap and that type of stuff," Lee said.

"I'm for Mr. Obama," Lee said. "I think he's gonna win. And it's going to be a better day not only for the United States but for the world."

(This version CORRECTS typo in title "Malcolm X." )

Comments

[yesyesyes]

FISA *-(

[Countdown09]

President McCain - think about that, might help you get over FISA.

[tigerjmf]

You really need to get over that..they need to have FISA in place ...in the wrong hands it could be dangerous.­..like the BUSH_MCshame group, are the wrong folks ...but we need to have a way to transmit and monitor terrorist.­activity..­trust, unless you're doing something to break the law or planning to over throw the government ...they don't care about your phone sex and web cam sex...thei­r not trying to catch you or me..we're small fries...BO didn't say he was perfect ..but he did say he'd look out for number ONE "the American people" he's gonna get all that mess under control once he's elected...­.lot of heads will roll....he really needs to weed out of them...inc­luding the backstabbing CLINTONS

[PerfectGent]

A documentary on Kobe Bryant??? The Lakers??? as if the time spent on these bozos during basketball season isn't enough, now Spike is going to glorify these morons even more. How about a jazzy documentary on Ghandi, free energy pioneers or me! Raise the rim in the NBA another 2 feet, a guy who is 7ft+ dunking a ball into a basket that is 10ft tall is not talent....­snooze. Nobody give a rat's ass when I dunk a ball into a 9ft basket (I'm 6ft) Sports are rigged my friends, turn off the tube.

[BEHM777]

I believe there will be a seismic change as well. America AND the world need to see something vastly different than what is in place now. I just hope there is enough movement in down ticket races to give Barack a truly workable majority.

BEHusseinM777

[tbone99]

Maybe B.O/ election will register 0.3 on the Reichter scale, Spike. Sure, black cultural elites like you may have more invitations to the WH but for those making less than 35K ( most of us) I see very few changes on the horizon ... in fact the horizon looks pretty close to a yawning abyss from here.

[grailknight]

Seismic change? Faith-based initiative embrace, voting for FISA isn't exactly changing anything. Is Spike expecting Putney Swope?

[NYCIC]

Putney Swope LOL!!! If only. Putney was a straight-up radical, ultra-black, rabble-rouser, with a wicked sense of humor. Who would never get to run a corporation or sit in the WH, no matter what shenanigans were employed to try to make it so. Best laugh I've had all day.

[mcole]

how about ending the war in iraq? is that a big enough change for your .....??

[tbone99]

Given his flip flops I have no trust that he stands besides any of his promises

[txgal44]

you're kidding...­.right?!

[JerryTheAngel]

Spike, I think John McCain's strategy to win is to play to the fears of white people in this country, using a campaign called "Do The White Thing", but I think he will fail. I have confidence that America has finally crossed that threshold where race is not going to be the difference in this campaign.

I believe Senator Obama will win more comfortably then Clinton beat Dole in 1996 but not a landslide like Reagan over Mondale in 1984. Somewhere in between which will be an EASY victory.

[darthdarcy]

Yeah Spike, especially when the Republicans steal the election thanks to ESS and Diebold..a­nd the Help America Vote Act Bush signed...y­ou'll be lucky if they let you vote, watch and see..

[Adeyemo]

Spike Lee is now on the band wagon for Obama. I am sure if he was an early supporter of Obama. I guess everybody loves a winner. Obama needs to be careful of these people.

[qdog112]

"Obama needs to be careful of these people."

Please tell us who are "these people"? Can you explain?

[WorkingClass]

Hey Spike. Welcome to Huff Po. I'm a old guy in Louisiana and a big fan. I see all your films. Your film about Catrina tells the heart breaking truth.

[schicklett3]

Kudos to Spike Lee -
I think it would be great if Spike Lee made a documentary of Barack Obama's life. So many people know nothing about Senator Obama (other than the rumors and lies that Fux News reports), and a nice documentary would get the word out.

[barackobama4prez]

I've given this alot of thought. I truly wonder how much this will change the world. As a Black woman it will certainly change MY world. I have to say, I didn't get to meet MLK so it's an honor to live in the time of BHO. I feel your energy Spike.

[Countdown09]

Living abroad for 6 1/2 years in 3 different European countries I realized the world has it's opinions about race relations in this country. I can tell you they think we're pretty racist in the US, they also believe we're a bunch of religious nuts. And since the illegal invasion of Iraq they added bullies to the list. Interesting thing though is I got the impression they don't like thinking these things about us, which might explain their excitement over Sen. O. Like many of us they this historic candidate and possible historic event is shinning a positive light on this country.

[lovethesinner]

Among my favorite movies OF ALL TIME are "X", and "Do The Right Thing", and both could be viewed as having been a part of the broadening of black cultural understanding that brings today's events. Having lived in and out of that culture myself, as a jazz musician, I agree, Obama's election will reverberate through the soul of this nation like nothing before it.

It will be a wonderful, joyous sound.

I saw "Lilies of the Field" from a balcony of a theater in Santa Monica the first week it came out in 1963. I was the guest of the woman who cleaned our house, and raised me after my mother died. I called her Aunt Bea.

I wish she were alive to watch this all happening. But, who knows. Maybe she's up there making it all happen.

But, yeah Spike, this is gonna be something big, and something wonderful.

[lady49]

I believe that Senator Obama's election as the POTUS will definitely be a gargantuan effort to turn America back towards her greater good.
It will restore respect for America around the world and it will rebuild our global alliances.

[johnnyjust]

How 'bout them Knicks?

[northeast73]

The uber-enthusiasm of Spike Lee "types" is a real turnoff.

Is he excited because Obama is going to be a good presidnet for the issues that affect Americans, or because he's black.

Seems like the latter. I dont think Mr. Lee would have gotten so excited if Obama was the exact same Obama but white.

Its very racist, and again, quite a turnoff.

[Syco]

did you have to be so cynical?

[Mattyhorn]

Why can't it be both (that he'll good president and he's black)? Spike Lee, though a better filmmaker than a speaker, has presented some important artistic statements on the nature of race in America. His support of Obama should surprise noone.

Your presumption is unfounded, as is your logic.

I'll repeat this so everyone can hear: there is positively NO moral equivalency between a black person voting for a black candidate because he/she's black AND a non-black person NOT voting for a black candidate because he/she is black. The former is ascendant; the latter is descendant (and racist).

Got that? Good. Can we move on now, please?

[barackobama4prez]

So are you saying Blacks can't be excited or enthusiastic because Barack is Black. That's racist????

[PaulLee]

You are missing the point. You cannot and must not ignore Obama's "blackness". He might turn out to be, good, bad or something in between. But what an Obama victory would say about America and Americans - that they have looked beyond the colour of his skin tones and are judging the man - should not be ignored.

[tigerjmf]

Thanks Paul Lee, finally somebody with some real truth ...it's really not about his color of his skin ,but only the content of his character as a man...Afte­r all look who we have now in the White House, and trust we didn't put him there!

[kissmygrits]

There's nothing racist about recognizing progress for a group that is historically underrepresented in the halls of power. That's like saying the Civil Rights Act is racist. And maybe you think that, but if you do, I'm confused as to why you are on this website.