A Brooklyn has started an online petition
demanding that Jay Z dump Barneys Hip Hop mogul; Jay Z is under heavy
microscope by his fans and activists.
Jay Z recently signed a contract with Barneys New York for his new
cologne that has came out on the market. Barneys New York a popular store for
high retail designer items is under heavy waters with shoppers and many ethnic
groups. The store has been labeled to be racist by many of its customers. They
have been said to racially profile many of their shoppers because of their skin
color and looks. The store has been to say to humiliate and racially profile
people whom they believe were not capable of shopping in their store.
About three different people have come
forward with claims that they were too racially profiled in Barneys. A young
African woman was the first to come out because she was racially profiled and
treated horribly for buying a $2,500 bag from the store. The store did not
believe she could afford such a bag legally and began to treat her unfairly
Another male victim came for and said he too was racially profiled because he
bought a $400 belt from the store. Another man went into the store was told he
would need to show his paystubs and identification before he entered the store.
Barneys are being selective and discriminating many of their shoppers because
of their colors and what they tend to look like on the outside.
Many would question, “What this has to do
with Jay Z?” Well Jay Z is a well-known activist when it comes to social
issues. The hip hop mogul has never stirred away from racial and any social
issues he felt were be derogatory towards African Americans or any other ethnic
group for that matter. His voice has been heard all over whether it was the Travyvon
Martin case in which he marched with the family in NYC. The boycott against
Cristal Champagne who made racist comments amount hip-hop. The issue with Don
Imus who called the basketball players nappy headed hoes. Or even gay marriage
where he believed in equality to matter whomever we so choose. Jay Z voice has
always been heard, so why is it now that money is included is the rapper
choosing not to speak out.
Jay Z chose not to speak out for the
first weeks, and recently made a statement that he was waiting on the facts. A
lot of people questioned this because we all have known the rapper to be very
demanding and in charge. The facts and proof are they’re for these cases and he
did not step up at first but for Travyvon Martin, the rapper stepped up because
of his beliefs. Even the Cristal
Champagne comments, the rapper chose to stop supporting his products in his
clubs or his life. Now the people want
him to be just as upset on the racially profiling for a brand he is supporting.
If he can step up and fight for issues not regarding him but blacks why can he
not step up now? The people have been ridiculing him for weeks and it seems it
finally has wore him down.
Jay Z officially met with the advisory
board for Barney’s New York. The team went over tactics with the Hip Hop to
form a plan for and to deal with the whole profiling issue. He
is heavily aboard with creating new guidelines for the way the retailer
interacts with the New York Police Department. They have realized, those
guidelines needs must be balanced with ensuring that the rights of individuals
are respected at all times. The
department store officers will have to provide reason and description of
individuals they wish to place under surveillance.
Do
you think Jay Z went to Barney’s because of the pressure his fans put on him
based upon the situation, or because he felt Barney’s was wrong?
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