Spike Lee brings out his whip, bashing IU and its former basketball coach

Education plays a big role in his life. His family remains near and dear to him, noting the name "Spike" was given to him because his mother called him a "tough baby."\nSpike Lee doesn't have a favorite movie, and he sure doesn't like Indiana.\n"I hate Indiana, and I don't like IU," he said during an interview before his speech to 3,000 students at the IU Auditorium Wednesday night. "Especially when it comes to sports. I don't want Indiana to win anything ever since the playoff wars between the Pacers and the Knicks back in the day."\nLee's trip to Bloomington marked the first time in 10 years he's spoken to IU students and locals about his life, what drives him in his career and about social issues and concerns.\nJust before his arrival at IU 10 years ago, a controversial issue surfaced concerning former coach Bobby Knight having whipped Calbert Cheany, a black player, at a press conference during the 1992 NCAA tournament. \nOn Feb. 9, 1993, Lee, who openly denounced the issue, took the stage of the IU Auditorium in a fury, using his own whip on stage to mimic the acts of Knight.\n"That shit ain't funny. There's too much history of whips and lynchings in this country for that to be funny," Lee told the Arbutus in 1993.\nToday in 2002, his feelings are still the same.\n"There's too much history in America. There's this thing called slavery -- you've heard of it, right?" he asked with his lackadaisical eyebrows raised. "There's too much history for any black athlete to allow himself to be whipped by a coach."\nWhen questioned on the repeated statements by players and Knight that it was all in fun and the whip was given to Knight by the team, Lee scoffed as he rested his chin on his hand.\n"I'm sorry, there's nothing good or funny in that image," he said.\nSwitching gears, Lee said he's happy for Mike Davis, and said it's great he's become IU's first black men's basketball coach.\nHis feelings on the Benton Mural weren't very heartfelt since he said it would be "preposterous for me to comment on that since I don't know that much about it and haven't seen it."\n"You know, people say it's good to have as a reminder of the history of the birth of the Klan, others say it projects a negative image," Lee said. "It's all about presentation and interpretation, but I really can't comment."\nRacial profiling is also a topic Lee touched on, citing the targeting of Muslims as a form of stereotype that U.S. citizens need to overcome.\n"There's Muslims in jails who are suspects of terrorism, and it's very easy to relinquish their rights under the threat of war," he said. "They're held under the guise of homeland security.\n"Do you have a turban on your head" Lee asked scooting in his chair. "It's easy to racially profile and blame and make assumptions that all Muslims are terrorists. But that's just insane." \nHis societal standpoints have led him to become a phenomenal and influential filmmaker, and he doesn't think twice about reminding people he's produced 16 films and numerous commercials and documentaries.\n"I don't ever pick a specific issue; the story comes first and foremost," he said about his filmmaking process. "When you've got a story, you have to jump on that opportunity.\n"For writers, it takes discipline. Write everyday to hone your skills and condition that writing muscle," he gave as advice for aspiring artists. "It's also helpful keeping a journal. And for filmmakers: Shoot, shoot, shoot and shoot some more"