Spike Lee tells America to ‘do the right thing’ in 2020 during passionate Oscars speech

You could've made an Oscars highlights reel with just Spike Lee at this year's show.

The BlacKkKlansman director had a big night, winning his first competitive award (following an Honorary Award in 2016) and providing some of the night’s most memorable moments.

First, when he accepted the award for Best Adapted Screenplay from longtime friend Samuel L Jackson.

And later, when he struggled to hide his frustration at Green Book’s Best Picture win and left his seat.

Lee also used his win to make a heartfelt political speech calling on the US to "regain its humanity" and celebrating his ancestors, who lived through slavery and segregation.

He said:

Before the world tonight, I give praise to our ancestors who have built this country into what it is today along with the genocide of its native people. We all connect with our ancestors. We will have love and wisdom regained, we will regain our humanity. It will be a powerful moment.

The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Let’s all mobilise. Let’s all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let’s do the right thing! You know I had to get that in there.

The speech was a clear standout during a show that left many with mixed feelings.

And Lee was praised for using the opportunity to make a political statement.

Even though he didn't mention him by name, the speech clearly hit a nerve with Donald Trump.

As well as making an important point, Lee also had a hand in some of the night’s funniest moments.

Whether he was swerving questions about his reaction to Green Book’s win.

Or when Jackson interrupted the ceremony to let Lee know the New York Knicks’ had finally ended their 18-game home losing streak.

Lee also joked about when his 1989 film Do the Right Thing failed to pick up any awards at the Oscars in 1990 - the same year Driving Miss Daisy won Best Picture.

Do the Right Thing didn't receive a nomination for Best Picture or Best Director that year, despite being acclaimed by critics, which caused some outrage at the time.

Now, it's often listed as one of the greatest films of all time - which explains why Lee doesn't seem too bothered about not winning Best Picture for BlacKkKlansman.

Or to put it in his own words:

Whether we won Best Picture or not, this film will stand the test of time being on the right side of history.

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