– blogged by @DanielleBTV
While some may be giving superstar Jay-Z praise or a pass, on locking in a deal with the NFL, it’s clear that not everyone is letting him get away that easy.
News broke earlier this week that Jay-Z will be partnering with the NFL to help directly shape their social-justice program and oversee much of the league’s entertainment. During a press conference on Wednesday, Jay-Z and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell claimed they spoke to Colin Kaepernick ahead of the announcement; however Kaepernick’s girlfriend and Hot 97 Radio Host Nessa Diab took to refute those claims.
Nessa also went on Hot 97 to voice her frustration with the whole situation. @CRS_One gave a few highlights on Twitter. Nessa said — “I don’t mind you doing a business deal – but I do mind you wrapping it in social justice when you’re working with an organization that denies someone an opportunity.” She also said “I would’ve wanted (HOV & Kaep) to have spoken, but that didn’t happen. I’m not trying to make it easy for Jay-Z to skate on this, but all you had to do was say ‘if you wanna talk that social justice talk, then Colin should be here’.”
Sports Journalist Jemele Hill, who is also no stranger to speaking her mind in the midst of injustice, published an article on ‘The Atlantic’ expressing her disappointment. Hill stated that “Now that the NFL has Jay-Z’s blessing, it’s conceivable that some of those entertainers who distanced themselves from the NFL might change their mind. Jay-Z has given the NFL exactly what it wanted: guilt-free access to black audiences, culture, entertainers, and influencers.” She also said that, “By leaving Kaepernick completely out of the mix, Jay-Z is now complicit in helping the NFL execute its strategy. Now he is an accomplice in the league’s hypocrisy.”
It’s safe to say that social justice is still a relevant topic in recent NFL discussions due largely in part to Kaepernick and when it comes to those discussions, he should have a seat at the table.
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