Spike Lee: ‘Change has to happen in how policing is done in the U.S.’

Oscar-winning director Spike Lee has made a short film which makes connections between George Floyd’s death and what the filmmaker sees as institutionalized violence and racism in America’s police forces. This time, he’s hopeful of change.

Interview conducted by Scott Roxborough, DW editor

DW: What was your first reaction when you saw that video of George Floyd’s killing?

Spike Lee: I thought: I just saw this, with Eric Garner [killed by police on July 17, 2014]. In 1989, I made a film about it: “Do the Right Thing” was based upon the real-life chokehold murder of graffiti artist Michael Stewart [on September 15, 1983]. And then I began thinking about all those other black people being killed. Not just by strangulation. About all those being shot by guns.

DW: This keeps happening, for decades, for centuries. What, in your opinion, has to be done to stop this from happening again and again and again?

Lee: We are starting here in America, where Americans, not just black and brown Americans, the white Americans, my white sisters and brothers, are taking to the streets and joining us, arm in arm, saying this has to stop. And there is a national cry for change within these police departments, across America. We have to do something with them, they’ve got to be reformed. Change has to happen in how policing is done in the United States of America.

DW: How much blame do you put on the man on top, President Trump, the man you call Agent Orange?

Lee: Why did you name him instead of me? I’m just joking, I know you have to have me say that. Agent Orange is going to go down as the worst president in the history of the United States. And it is funny now to see his allies, these generals and politicians are slowly starting to move away from him, because they can read the writing on the wall and they don’t want to go down in history attached to this guy. To be written down as on the wrong side of history. With a capital W.

DW: It’s been 31 years since you made Do the Right Thing and we are seeing the same thing happening again on the streets. Where do you see hope for the future?

Lee: The hope I see is with the millions of Americans who take to the streets. Them saying enough is enough: I see hope. And I’ll feel more hopeful on November 4, the day after the presidential election.

Spike Lee standing in front of a street mural, celebrating the 30th anniversary of his film “Do the Right Thing.” The film includes a scene where a brawl ends in the death of a black man at the hands of a police officer.

© Spike’s Joint

Spike Lee

is a man of many hats. In addition to directing, he is also a producer, actor, screenwriter and professor. His work explores themes such as race relations, the role of media in contem porary life, urban crime and poverty, and other political issues. He has won many accolades for his work including an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film BlacKkKlansman.