Jay Z Finally Addresses Barneys Backlash, Collaboration

Jay Z has finally responded to the controversy surrounding his involvement with retailer Barneys after three black shoppers came
forward this past week claiming they were racially profiled by police after shopping in the luxury department store. The rap mogul issued a statement Saturday (Oct. 26), through his website Life+Times, denouncing the negative criticism on his delayed response regarding the issue.
In his statement , Hov wanted to make it clear that he doesn’t stand to make millions off his “ A New York Holiday” collaboration with
Barneys. In fact, 25 percent of the proceeds will go to the Shawn Carter Foundation in addition to a donation from Barneys.

“This money is going to help individuals facing socio-economic hardships to help further their
education at institutions of higher learning,” he states. “My idea was born out of creativity and charity…not profit.”

Jay Z then took aim at the media for their erroneous reporting and explained why he has been silent during the brouhaha.

“I move and speak based on facts and not emotion,” he 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?”

The ‘Magna Carta’ rapper is referring to the New York Daily News, who placed him on the cover of the newspaper with the snarky headline “ Zero Respect.”
A Change.org petition calling for Jay Z to end his partnership with Barneys has reached over 13,000 signatures so far. In addition, Rev. Al Sharpton will reportedly meet with Barneys executives on Tuesday (Oct. 29) to discuss the
racial profiling allegations.

Here’s Jay Z’s statement in its entirety:

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