Lee slams gangsta rap culture
05/11/2005 - 09:31:43Film-maker Spike Lee has blasted the black culture created by modern rappers for glorifying gang violence and creating dubious role models.
The 48-year-old Summer of Sam director likens the images shown in rap videos to distorted minstrel shows of the 19th century, which instilled a negative view of American blacks.
And he is concerned they will dissuade black children from pursuing an education.
Lecturing at a conference on cultural diversity on Wednesday, Lee pleaded with students to find ways of making school cool again.
He said: "Young black kids didn't grow up wanting to be a pimp or a stripper like they do now.
"Back then, we were not called sellouts for using our brains. Being intelligent was not frowned upon."
