Spike Lee: "I'm Not Rich Rich"

UPDATE:
Apparently The Observer buys old New Yorker interviews, as this Spike Lee first appeared in last September's issue, and is now re-appearing for Lee's "Miracle at St Anna" UK release with no disclaimer that it is not original.

****

Spike Lee gave a long interview to Britain's Sunday Observer, and explained to the reporter that despite a Manhattan townhouse, Martha's Vineyard home and kids in private school, he is not wealthy:

He told me he had always intended his kids to go, as he did, to state schools. "But my wife put the kibosh on that," he said. Lee balks at being described as wealthy. "It's not rich rich," he told me. "Rich is Spielberg. Lucas. Gates. Steve Jobs. Jay-Z! Bruce Springsteen. I'm not complaining. But that's money. Will Smith. Oprah Winfrey - that's a ton of money. Compared to them, I'm on welfare!"

The interview, which took place at intervals in 2008 before Barack Obama's election, also relays Lee's distaste for the Clintons and Cindy McCain:

"Who's going to be the vice-presidential pick?" Robin Burgess, the session co-ordinator and Blanchard's wife, asked.

"As long as it's not Hillary," Lee said.

"You know," Blanchard said in a wondering tone, "we got friends uptown who say they can't stand Michelle. I mean, what about McCain's wife?"

"Stepford wife," Lee muttered.

"I used to like Bill Clinton," Blanchard said.

Lee shook his head. "They showed their hand," he said.

Comments

[AN2009]

Spike Lee is a bigot. It seems like he spends more energy and time mouthing off instead of focusing on his work. He accused Quentin Tarantino of racism in Jackie Brown and then called Samuel L. Jackson, who defended Tarantino, a house slave. Later, he denounced Clint Eastwood for racism and complained about the historical inaccuracy of Flags of Our Fathers. What is striking is that none of his assertions were true. He then directs Miracle at St. Anna, which bombed at the box office and was, according to James McBride, "a work of fiction." Talk about hypocrisy...

[babygirl19]

I love huffington post and I never reply to anything but had to when I read about Spike Lee. I am a white italian american. I have no other nationality in me but italian. I am a 46 year old woman married to a black man and have been for 20 years. I have always liked Spike Lee and even though he doesn't like woman like me I believed that the black community needed and need outspoken people like him to throw it back in the face of many prejudice whites. However, when it comes to Spike's excitement over Barack Obama presidency, I have to remind him that Barack's mother is WHITE. Barack was and will be able to achieve so much because he is extremely intelligent but also because he is both black and white and can relate and be related to by both sides. Say what you will about interracial couples but I believe that bi-racial children have helped tremendously in the fight for equality. Interracial couples from years back stood up for what they believed and proved that we are all the human race. Spike I admire your work and have contributed to your small fortune but come on and stop hating on white woman. Spike, your wife's skin is whiter than some white girls I know. And by the way, I love Michelle Obama, she is beautiful. Okay, I feel better and I will always like Spike.

[robXdion]

What are you rambling about? Where are getting this "Spike Lee doesn't like women like me" stuff from? Seriously? And didn't he do 3 movies that had something in them about interracial relationships?

[luckyoldson]

Yes, he did do at least three films relating to interracial relationships.

Methinks the woman has "problems" that do not relate to Spike.

[FaceYourFears]

Yawn.....

[happycat]

You need to rewatch his films. He is not a racist. BTW, you mentioned that you are 46. You are old enough to use proper English. The phrase, "stop hating on white woman" is undignified to say the least.

[RockySoldier]

you're a condescending fool.

[Pastprologue]

And don't forget that BO's father wanted nothing to do with him.

And the black race baiters on this post can't change that nor can they conceal Lee's abject racism.

[SOOKOOYAH GURL]

OBAMA'S father may have been a deadbeat, but who said he never wanted anything to do with him?? Please...

[mlr710]

Lee isn't racist, but it sounds like you are.

[sankofaman]

When I see ignorant posts like this I want to scream at the hilltops WE NEED A NEW DEFINITION OF RACISM!!! Preferably defined by the people who are the real victims of it.

[harriettubman]

When Spike first came out his interviews were abrasive about whites. Then he did the Jungle Fever type movies. For years I wondered why he always spoke so abrasively until I read an article about his childhood. His father left his mother for a white woman. When I read the first line, I thought "no wonder." Spike was very angry about what his father did. He seems to have mellowed over the years so perhaps he matured past that.

[markinaz]

Welfare? I doubt you have had to survive on gubment cheese of late. All those homes in expensive areas and you're not rich? The working poor you are not. Get over yourself.

[FaceYourFears]

What business is it of yours anyway!

[SOOKOOYAH GURL]

The welfare remark is a comparason to Oprah.. Learn to read already.. Not just words but be able to take away ideas..

[coco51]

JRB can you be anymore sophomoric!!! the man was being interviewed, was asked questions to which if he had chosen to parse he'd have been rebuked, he was candid he's not on the Forbes list and his wife shutdown the public school desire. He spoke the truth, the Clinton's did show their hands and HRC thought she'd use NY to get into the White House. And Cindy McCain is a drug-addict Stepford wife.

[Subjectivity]

I once read a New Yorker article where Spike spoke neqatively about the murder of Nicole Simpson. He said all this attention was being paid because Nicole had blue eyes. He had his view of the world and the facts did not matter. Nicole had blue eyes until OJ murdered her.

[FaceYourFears]

Says who? OJ was found not guilty, until you can prove it.....he's innocent!

[thats2much]

Caylee Smith, Natalie Holloway, Anna Nicole Smith, Jon Benet Ramsey..... I mean I could continue this all night, but I think you get the point.....

[xmcknight]

Amen!

Because how many missing/murdered black or Latino women (or even men) get even a faint mention in the news??? Say what you want, but if you just happen to have a little extra melanin in your skin and come up missing, you stay missing, and CNN, NBC, FOX, TNT, MTV, maybe not even BET will notice. Hmph.

[thats2much]

OJ was found not guilty by a jury of his peers. The real crime is the vendictive, unprofessional excuse of a judge that served on the circus uuupm I mean trial that took place in Las Vegas. She abused her position by over sentencing Mr. Simpson for what happened at the hotel.

[SOOKOOYAH GURL]

Actually Spike was on point, not speaking negatively about Nicole... Honestly, I am a nonblack person that felt that OJ was innocent. I say he is guilty now because I think he is dumb, but I still believe there is more to that story.

[ABCD]

Dear Mr. Spike Lee,

I just want to take a moment and say thank you. Thank you so much for the work you've put out these past (22?) years. There are a lot of prejudiced people here on this message board and well I guess I am one of them because I will see ANY movie you put out just because it's you...and, I will see it as soon as it comes out so you can continue to have your box office hits!

Your work is genius and insightful and that's why people love you AND that's why some of them hate you. You totally realize that you can't please all of the people all of the time But, I love ya cause you don't try! See before we could envision a black president we had you and I thank you!

Back in the 80's I enjoyed going to the movies but I personally couldn't relate to any of the movies until you came along so Thank you!

Many (a majority of) people can not understand what it means to go to a movie and be able to relate to the characters (and I bid you well even if you don't understand) but we needed it and he gave it to us. He gave us something we didn't have...relatability on the big screen.

So, Thank you!

P.S I'd also like to wish you and your family a belated Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

[kottison]

Does this have to happen every time Huffpost post an article of a black guy you don't like? From what i know he's just a black filmmaker not Hitler or Bin Laden or Satan incarnate. I guess I'm just sick of this overreaction over meager things when things whenever a black guy is involved.

[Mary50]

Funny, apparently SNS thinks we're all white...

[Mary50]

Spike Lee has a long history of hating white women and race baiting, so this is no surprise. At least Cindy McCain does good with her wealth instead of using it to perpetuate hatred.

He has to be one of the most racist, homophobic filmmakers in our culture right now and yet he continues to be handed a microphone as if he has some sort of moral authority. Spike is a hack who makes a living off of supposedly representing people he has nothing in common with.

[FaceYourFears]

And you're black?

[Pastprologue]

Is that a requirement?

[ApolloniaCreed]

Spike Lee hates white women... Seriously? What is your basis for that statement?

[robXdion]

Name instances where Spike has "ha.ted all white women"? Can you? Seems he didn't h.ate Jody Foster or Annabella Sciorra too much, did he? It seems everyone sees in Spike something to ha.te when he's actually just telling realistic stories that force you to open your mind.

[AlligatorShuz]

I have never heard him say he hates white women. Spike Leed has said in the past that he didn't date white women.

Well, Mary50 the people of the black community still likes him and supports him....

[harriettubman]

Early in his career he was very abrasive in his interviews about white people, especially the women. You have to read about his childhood to find out why. I did and it answered a lot of questions. Daddy left his mom for a white woman.

[HarlemFreeThought]

Bitter your table for 1 is ready.

[mjtaylor22]

maybe it is his way of staying grounded, i not super rich, so don't blow it all in vegas,
the way education cost are rising, he may have to make a movie or sell a house to pay for 4 yrs of college anyway.
me onthe other hand, looking for a education scholarship
i ain't mad at spike, he said i am not rich, you want to know what rich is . etc etc...
i ujderstand, stop blowing him up,

[epitomized]

I hope that a scholarship would go to someone who has a basic grasp of English.

"I ain't mad at spike"

Are you serious? You need to go back to elementary school before attempting any other school.

[SNS]

Love ya, Spike. Nobody riles up uptight white people like you do. Keep doing your thing, brother. The people you make angry deserve it. Every last one of them. They're the type of people who think they aren't racist because they have like one token black friend, or they have a rap tape somewhere in a box at their mother's house, sitting in an attic. They think racism will go away if people merely stop talking about it, because you know, that's how you deal with an elephant in a room, you just don't talk about it and it will certainly stop breaking lamps and laying 20 lb. dumps on the floor. And make no mistake, Spike, all of them would be extra cautious if they found out their daughter was dating a black guy from an impoverished background. They would think they're not racist simply because they approve of the relationship at the end of the day, but they would be more cautious than they would be if her boyfriend was white. They're sheltered, coddled, spoiled brat closet racists in complete denial, Spike, and they visualize a world where black people will just pretend that slavery never happened. Keep making your films, Spike, and let them waddle in their anger. You're a hero. And, you are rich! Don't be ashamed of it. You've earned every penny of it. You're a patriot. Looking forward to all of your future flicks!

[DrJimmy]

Spoken like a true racist!!!!

[robXdion]

It's hilarious how whites get so wound up about blacks supporting each other and pointing out how whites socialize their ra.cial ambivalence. You're angrier than a black person actually in the minority dealing with ra.cial issues, LOL!!! I guess you feel if someone likes Spike Lee that's like putting you in a cotton field with Jim Crow laws keeping YOU down, huh? Will Spike Lee fans profile you all the way home and pull you over for a beatdown?

LMAO!!!

[DelvinMcGee]

It might be ironic to you how incredibly racist that post was.

[ApolloniaCreed]

You know, I can't wait to see Miracle at St. Anna!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pastprologue]

And I bet ya will talk all through the movie.

[ApolloniaCreed]

LOL. My friends would laugh to hear you say that... I'm the quiet one.

[jrb35]

You're not "rich rich"?

I don't care care.

You're overrated overrated.

Your recent work sucks sucks.

You have a huge ego ego.

And a big mouth mouth.

Please go away away.

[BGM1906]

Be happier if you did...

[FaceYourFears]

He's got more than you'll ever have!

[jrb35]

You'd be surprised.

Doesn't change the fact that a lot of his recent work has sucked.

[lizziekw]

I never minded Spike Lee. Yeah, he's mouthy - so what? He's made some good movies and he's interesting. Unfortunately, I am getting tired of this foot-in-mouth thing. It's become much too frequent and almost the only time we ever hear/see him other than at Knicks games.

I can't figure out if he wants to be a target or if we've made him one. Probably a bit of both.

[FaceYourFears]

Who said it's foot-in-mouth? Spike has always been outspoken...

[lizziekw]

I said it's foot-in-mouth. I don't mind his outspokenness, never did. I prefer him being interesting-provocative to him being provocative for its own sake. Lately there's too much of the latter and not enough of the former.

[Sonny50]

Outspoken by whom?

[ApolloniaCreed]

What's the deal with all the hypersensitivity to this man saying he's not Bill Gates "rich"? He's not.

[robXdion]

We all know why Apollonia. People were in the "Shaq sells his house" blog the other day losing their minds at the audacity of him having something like that. I knew this blog was gonna be a goatrope because Spike can't say 'boo!' without people convulsing into seizures.

[Pastprologue]

How many people are as rich as Gates?

Why even say it?

[ApolloniaCreed]

Why take exception to it?

[SOOKOOYAH GURL]

Because he was asked... Gates is not the only comparason, he said Speilberg, Lucas, Oprah, Will Smith.. He is right, he is not as rich as they are..