Jay Z is a strict businessman who doesn’t make hasty decisions based off of emotion, so he says in a recently released statement addressing the looming controversy surrounding Barneys and Black shoppers. Jay was called out by petitioners and media following the arrest of a young Black male college student, Trayon Christian, who was arrested after purchasing a Ferragamo belt worth $320 from the department store. Hov inked a deal with the luxury retailers to design a line that will be sold during the holiday months prior to the incident. But there are people who feel that it is his social responsibility, as a Black man (who wouldn’t be allowed to shop peacefully at Barneys if he wasn’t Jay Z) to break that contract.
A petition was started on Change.org, calling for him to end the partnership. Hov stepped off his throne to respond to The New York Daily News cover (see below) that claimed he would lose all street cred if he didn’t severe ties with the luxury retailer and everyone else who feels the same.
Read his statement:
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% of all sales from the collaboration, 10% 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 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 judgements, 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
We had a feeling Jay wasn’t going to step away from the Barneys collaboration, after all, it isn’t like he created thr luxury line to purchased by his fans. The high-end line boast items they (and we) can’t afford. What do you think about the statement and the statement he’s subliminally sending to the youth.
Source necolebitchie.com via necolebitchie on BP Next
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