Award-winning movie director and producer Spike Lee spoke against black stereotypes at the eighth annual MLK Unity Celebration at Baton Rouge Community College on Tuesday night.The celebration, inspired by MLK’s activism, emphasized unity between the University, BRCC, Southern and the local community.The theme of the ceremony was “Times are changing. Be part of Dr. King’s Legacy.”Mhykeisha Evans, Miss Southern University 2008-2009, welcomed attendees with praise for King, calling him “a legend, a dreamer, a visionary.”The chancellors from BRCC and Southern, Myrtle Dorsey and Kofi Lomotey, respectively, and LSU’s vice chancellor and provost, Astrid Merget, spoke about each colleges’ efforts toward unity.The event should inspire people to invest in their community and celebrate an equal partnership, said Chaunda Allen, LSU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs director.Spike Lee, the guest speaker, began his speech with references to his family’s affiliation with King.Later he spoke about more   controversial issues concerning black men.”More black men are incarcerated in prison then enrolled in college,” Lee said.He said certain mindsets, such as a black man who speaks well is “acting white,” need to be discarded.People “equate intelligence with being white, which means they equate ignorance with being black,” Lee said.After his speech, Lee opened the floor to questions from the audience.The audience’s questions ranged from tips on success in the film industry to tracing Lee’s ancestry back to times of slavery.In an expression of unity, talent from all three colleges collaborated to perform Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise”.LSU students played instruments. Southern students danced. And a BRCC student read a poem.”It’s a great event to bring all three colleges together,” said Toni Manogin, BRCC’s Dean of Allied Health. “When everyone’s looking forward to change, it’s a good reminder to how we got to this point.”——Contact Victoria Yu at [email protected]