Lee's 15-minute speech concluded Saturday's awards ceremony that also honoured Debbie Reynolds and Gena Rowlands.
Lee, 58, said when he goes through Hollywood offices, there
are only white faces, and the only person of color is the man checking the name at the door, reported Variety.
"Everybody in here probably voted for Obama but when I go to offices, I see no black folks except for the brother man at the security who checks my name off the list as I go into the studio," the director said.
"It's easier to be the president of the United States as a black person than be the head of a studio," he continued.
"Honestly, it's easier to be president of the United States than the head of a studio or head of network."
Lee urged Hollywood executives to take a closer look at the people around them.
"I don't know if you noticed but the United States census bureau says by the year 2043, white Americans are going to be the minority in this country," he said.
Denzel Washington, Samuel L Jackson and Wesley Snipes presented the "She's Gotta Have It" director with his award.
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