By John Beifuss
The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal
MEMPHIS — Contrary to his sometimes-provocative image, filmmaker Spike Lee was an encouraging, even avuncular common-sense role model during a talk to 900-plus students and campus visitors at the University of Memphis.
Lee remained on his feet for most of his hourlong talk, encouraging students to pursue careers they enjoyed and bemoaning the increase in “misguided minds” — “young ignorant black kids failing class on purpose” because “if you speak correct English, (if) you get A’s, than somehow that means you’re a sellout.”
“This is something we have to stop because it’s genocide,” said Lee, acknowledging that television, films and “some” rap contributed to this trend.