Fans Want Jay-Z to Stop Partnership With ‘Barneys New York’

Okay,  by now you may have read the stories about the 2 African Americans who were allegedly discriminated against because of their race after purchasing items from Barneys New York. One was a 21 year old Nursing student who purchased a $2,500 Celine handbag & the other was a 19 year old technical college student who worked & saved his money to buy a $349 Ferragamo belt. Both were arrested for their alleged crimes. Rapper/Mogul Jay-z has an upcoming partnership with Barneys for the holiday to collab on various projects. Now Hov fans want him to back out on the company. Jay has released a statement in regards to the issue at hand.

“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