Spike Lee’s Gentrification Rant Sparks Controversy [Video]

Spike Lee’s gentrification rant has sparked controversy in Brooklyn and throughout the nation. On Tuesday evening, the talented director was invited to speak at the Pratt Institute in honor of Black History Month. A native of Brooklyn, Lee focused on how much the city has changed.

Gentrification is defined as the restoration and renewal of previously impoverished urban neighborhoods. This is generally achieved when middle-class or affluent residents are encouraged to purchase property in lower class neighborhoods.

Within many communities, urban renewal is viewed as a positive change. However, critics argue that gentrification essentially forces impoverished families to leave their homes, making room for more affluent residents.

Spike Lee is a vocal critic of the movement, which he has dubbed the “Christopher Columbus Syndrome.” Responding to a question from the audience, Lee began a tirade peppered with profanity and filled with obvious disdain:

“You can’t just come in the neighborhood and start bogarting and say, like you’re… Columbus and kill off the Native Americans. Or what they do in Brazil, what they did to the indigenous people. You have to come with respect. There’s a code. There’s people.”

Although Lee has moved out of the Fort Green Park neighborhood, a number of his family and friends remain. During his speech, provided by The Guardian, he noted several negative consequences they have experienced as a result of the movement:

“There were brothers playing… African drums in Mount Morris Park for 40 years and now they can’t do it anymore because the new inhabitants said the drums are loud. My father’s a great jazz musician. He bought a house in [1968], and the… people moved in last year and called the cops on my father.”

Those who support gentrification argue that the renewal has increased property value. As an audience member pointed out, homes that were previous worth $40,000 are now worth millions. As Lee explained, increased property values are wonderful for homeowners. However, those who rent are forced to leave the community in search of affordable housing.

Lee blames the movement for causing reverse migration, as affluent white families are moving in and black families are essentially forced to move out:

“They’re moving to Atlanta, they’re moving to North Carolina… You have to do some research, and look at the numbers. The black American population of New York City is going down… People can’t afford to live here anymore.”

Spike Lee’s gentrification rant has led to stark criticism and controversy. However, he made his point very clear. Renewal efforts can have a positive impact on neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the cost can be seen in the loss of culture, communities, and generations of residents.

[Image via cinemafestival / Shutterstock.com]