S. Samuel
Rap mogul Jay Z's decision to fall back on the controversy surrounding his partnership with high-end retailer Barneys New York over multiple racial profiling accusations has turned him into a prime target for Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."
This week, “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart showed no mercy going in on Jigga Man.
Let’s hope the suddenly silent rapper Jay Z hasn’t lost his sense of humor. The 43-year-old hip-hop mogul got the full “Daily Show” treatment Wednesday as host Jon Stewart addressed racial profiling allegations at Barneys — and hit Jay Z hard for his continued relationship with the luxury department store. Jay Z being caught in the middle of the controversy is “not as awkward a position as sitting handcuffed in the back of a police car wearing the $300 belt you just bought,” scoffed Stewart. He then turned it over to “Daily Show” correspondent Larry Wilmore, who spoofed Kanye West‘s infamous comments about George W. Bush by saying, “Jay Z doesn’t care about black people.” The once outspoken rapper’s newfound silence was a sign of his success, Wilmore explained. “He’s got a multimillion-dollar brand to protect … He’s not Jay Z, he’s Jay Z Penney!” (New York Daily News)
After an in-person discussion with civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton, Barneys CEO Mark Lee addressed the racial profiling situation last week.
“No one, and I mean no individual, should go through the unacceptable experiences described by Trayon Christian and Kayla Phillips,” Lee said Tuesday after an hour-long sitdown with the Rev. Al Sharpton at the Harlem headquarters of his National Action Network. “We offer our deepest sympathies to both of them.” Sharpton and his National Action Network demanded a face-to-face with Barneys brass- and threatened to put shopping at the high-end retailer “on hold” — after Christian and Phillips accused Barneys of sending cops to question and detain them after they made big-ticket buys at the Manhattan flagship. (New York Post)
The Barneys head also offered up some words for new business partner Jay Z.
Barneys’ Lee also apologized to music mogul Jay-Z, who is slated to launch a clothing line with the retailer in November, and has charity dealings with the store. “We deeply regret that these recent events have distracted from the great work of the Sean Carter Foundation, and we offer our sincere apologies to Mister Carter.” Lee said. “Our collaboration together is based on the shared mission of helping individuals facing socio-economic hardships.” (New York Post)
Jigga released a statement last month and questioned being targeted over the situation.
“I move and speak based on facts and not emotion,” the statement said. “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?” he said, referring to local newspaper headlines. Jay-Z said in this case, he’s still trying to find out what happened –which is why he was silent. “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,” he added. (Boston Herald)
Hovi also denied making big bucks off his Barneys partnership and explained why he would not end the relationship prematurely.
“This money is going to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships to help further their education at institutions of higher learning,” he said. “My idea was born out of creativity and charity… not profit.” Jay-Z said he understood what it felt like to be racially profiled — but also didn’t want to jump to unfair conclusions. “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?” he asked. “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.” (Boston Herald)
A new petition requests Young Hov to immediately put an end to his relationship with the high-end retailer.
As the accusations of racism against Barneys New York continues to pick up steam following the reveal of a second discrimination lawsuit, the call for action against the company is growing louder. A petition has surfaced on Change.org asking “Shawn Carter a.k.a. Jay-Z” to end all partnerships with Barneys New York. The petition’s creator, Derick Bowers, writes, “We can no longer tolerate blatant prejudice and discrimination. It is clear that the minority buying power is devalued by some. We must withdraw support to those who will not support us.” (Huffington Post)
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