As Spike Lee accepted an Oscar for BlacKkKlansman in 2019, his speech praised "our ancestors who have built this country into what it is today." Hear why Lee opted to bring his speech on paper instead of submitting it to the teleprompter ahead of the ceremony.

This episode is part of an adapted audio guide to Spike Lee: Creative Sources, open at the Brooklyn Museum through February 4, 2024. Visit www.brooklynmuseum.org for tickets.

See a photo of Lee's notes and the other objects Lee discusses: https://bit.ly/SpikeLeeGuide

This project was produced by Seaplane Armada and the Brooklyn Museum.