Spike Lee Wins First Competitive Oscar for ‘BlacKkKlansman’ Screenplay

Spike Lee has won his first Oscar, taking the award for Best Adapted Screenplay for BlacKkKlansman. Lee, who received an honorary Academy Award in 2016, jumped into presenter Samuel L. Jackson’s arms on the stage before delivering a speech that was bleeped at the beginning.

In his acceptance speech, Lee didn’t shy away from politics. “Let's all mobilize. Let's all be on the right side of history,” he said. “Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let's do the right thing!” The New York City filmmaker was previously nominated for two Oscars—Best Original Screenplay for Do the Right Thing and Best Documentary for 4 Little Girls. He is also nominated for Best Director.