Staff Writer
Jay-Z has finally made a statement as petitioners pushed the rapper to end his clothing deal with Barneys New York after the company stands, accused by two black customers of racial profiling, at one of its retail locations in New York. Jay-Z says he is waiting on a resolution of the conflict and for the truth to come out before he makes any decisions about the collaboration.
“I haven’t made any comments because I am waiting on facts and the outcome of a meeting between community leaders and Barneys.” Jay-Z said in a statement on his website, on October 26th. “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.”
The line, which ranges in prices from $70 for a t-shirt to $34,000 for a watch, is set to launch on November 20th, where 25% of all sales from the collaboration goes towards The Shawn Carter Foundation; an organization started by Shaw “Jay-Z” Carter to “help individuals facing socio-economic hardships further their education at institutions of higher learning.”
The collaboration has come under fire after 19-year-old Trayon Christian says he was handcuffed and questioned by police after purchasing a $349 dollar belt from Barneys New York, and 21-year-old Kayla Phillips says she underwent a similar treatment days later after buying a $2,500 handbag. Both say they were questioned about the validity of their credit cards.
In response, an online protest on Change.org has been launched, and petitioners have also taken to Twitter to ask Jay-Z to end the collaboration with the Barneys. The rapper has been outspoken on social issues and profiling in the past. In 2006, he boycotted champagne maker Cristal after the CEO, Frederic Rouzaud, made derogative remarks about the hip-hop industry. Jay-Z, however, doesn’t want to make a pre-emptive decision regarding Barneys New York.
Jay-Z stated, “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.”
The petition for Jay-Z to end his collaboration with Barneys New York has over 15,600 signatures to date.
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