Source: defjam.com
Rapper turned Mogul Jay-Z has recently faced considerable backlash for continuing his Christmas collaboration with high-end clothing boutique Barneys NY after the clothing chain was accused of racial profiling. These accusations stem from two separate incidents of Afrikan American individuals being wrongly apprehended by undercover NYPD cops due to suspicion of credit card fraud. In both cases, the cops were allegedly called upon by the store employees after the individuals made costly purchases; as a result, both parties were publicly roughhoused and harassed by the police, which led both parties to file separate million dollar discrimination lawsuits against the store.
Jay-Z has since been under massive pressure to end his upcoming collaboration with the store and has been criticized for not speaking publicly on the matter. But this past week, the rapper released this statement on his Life+Times website to openly address the issue:
“This collaboration lives in a place of giving and is about the Foundation. I am not making a dime from this collection; I do not stand to make millions, as falsely reported. I need to make that fact crystal clear. The Shawn Carter Foundation is the beneficiary and the foundation is receiving 25 percent of all sales from the collaboration, 10 percent of all sales generated in the store on November 20th, and an additional donation from Barneys. This money is going to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships to help further their education at institutions of higher learning. My idea was born out of creativity and charity… not profit.
I move and speak based on facts and not emotion. I haven’t made any comments, because I am waiting on facts and the outcome of a meeting between community leaders and Barneys. Why am I being demonized, denounced and thrown on the cover of a newspaper for not speaking immediately? The negligent, erroneous reports and attacks on my character, intentions, and the spirit of this collaboration have forced me into a statement I didn’t want to make without the full facts. Making a decision prematurely to pull out of this project, wouldn’t hurt Barneys or Shawn Carter, but all the people that stand a chance at higher education. I have been working with my team ever since the situation was brought to my attention to get to the bottom of these incidents, and at the same time to find a solution that doesn’t harm all those that stand to benefit from this collaboration.
I am against discrimination of any kind, but if I make snap judgments, no matter who it’s towards, aren’t I committing the same sin as someone who profiles? I am no stranger to being profiled, and I truly empathize with anyone that has been put in that position. Hopefully this brings forth a dialogue to effect real change. – Shawn “JAY Z” Carter.”
What are your thoughts on his statement? Be sure to voice your opinion in the comments section!
Author: Rasheed Tulay
Nommo Staff