Movie director Spike Lee stimulated thoughts on Martin Luther King

On Wednesday January 20, McGuire Hall was filled with Loyola students, faculty, and administrators and people from the Baltimore community, including college and high school students to listen to famous director Spike Lee. His talk stimulated thoughts on Dr. Martin Luther King's impact, race, and career success during the 17th annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Convocation.

Spike Lee's address was more a casual conversation rather than a speech. It was filled with anecdotes, inspiring realizations in regard of his career, jokes about current events and sports, political commentary and even advice for young filmmakers. Although the address did not have a central moment, there were several main points and messages he wished the audience to take home.

He stressed how important it is for young people to learn more about Martin Luther King and to go beyond the surface knowledge. Having grown up during King's time, Lee recalled the tremendous impact his assassination had, especially amongst African Americans.

But he emphasized that "Dr. King should not be martyrized" because then the rest of his efforts and causes are forgotten. Lee said that in order to know about this, it is necessary to read his work and learn more. Encouraging students to learn even what is not taught by teachers. "Do research. With the Internet today there is no excuse for not to doing research. See how he was perceived," said Lee.

Lee also shared his experiences as a college student at Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University -where he took his major classes-and New York University Film School and how he decided his career path.

Lee also talked about the importance of hard work and perseverance in order to succeed in anything you do. He used the example of his first feature movie, She's Gotta Have It, where he had to piece the project together nickle by nickle. He also had to wait 10 years before his first successful project.

"I got lucky because I knew what I wanted to do and love," said Lee. "Hopefully you choose your major based upon what it is that you love and not how much money you are going to make."

Lee pressed the young people in the room to pursue the career they really want and not to succumb to what he calls "parental pressure syndrome" because in the long run it could make them miserable. "Most people on earth go to the grave hating the job they have. This is not living," said Lee.

of diversity, and although Lee recognized the huge step towards diversity and tolerance with the election of Barack Obama, he said that he does not believe that America has moved onto a "post-racial" era.

"Race is not off the plate," he expressed. He also declared that the issue of race would not be fully reconciled until kids are properly educated about the issue of slavery. Lee also said that for the world to embrace real diversity it is necessary that the media stop spreading a culture of degradation and dehumanization of different groups.

Lee also talked extensively about his work with his documentary on the consequences of hurricane Katrina, When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts and how it relates to what has happened in Haiti. He also mentioned the will and determination of the people in New Orleans and how even now the conditions there have not improved.

A large portion of Spike Lee's address was the Question-and-answer session during which he responded to more than 40 questions. The attendees who lined up to talk to Lee had different types of questions.

Some people asked about his career and creative decisions, including specifics on his movies and documentaries. Other asked him to sign his movies, for internships, and expressed their appreciation. Most people asked for his insights on politics and life in general.

Hilary Ippolito, '12, was pleased that Lee addressed a lot of different issues. "I was interested to hear a lot of things that he has to say that I didn't think would be broad up, for example I loved hearing what he had to say about Katrina and about Haiti and I'm really glad that he is dong a documentary there, " Ippolito said.

He gave really good advice about just being a college student just being a person in general, just trying to figure out their way," said Kerrie Iheagwara, '13.

Margaret Musgrove, director of the Women Center, pointed the correlation between Lee's words on Dr. King, the way King was perceived when he was alive and working for a change, and the kind of movies he presents to the public.

"Spike did films that were almost counter-cultural, about people who have been maligned. He made a big difference [in the perception of culture]." She also said it is important to preserved the story of people who make history and pass it on so is not forgotten.

Lee's address had different layers and different aspects of it resonate with the attendees. Kimbery Turner, ALANA Services' associate director, thought it was important to hear his story and that becoming famous filmmaker didn't happen overnight.

"You have to go above and beyond and if this is something that you love that's ok. You have to be willing to wait those 10 years, like he said, to get that movie that really shot him to the forefront," said Turner.