Everyone has been asking for celebrities to get involved in the protests and support the cause surrounding Mike Brown and Eric Garner. Many celebrities have stayed silent and while this could be taken as a sign of non-involvement, that’s not exactly the case with Jay Z. The rapper/mogul is actually very involved, just quietly behind the scenes.
According to activist/journalist Shaun King, there’s a lot we seem to forget about Jigga. Remember the death of Sean Bell? He was killed at the hands of NYPD on his wedding day. Jay Z set up an educational trust for his children. Jay Z has also donated privately to Ferguson. He’s made it clear in interviews that he donates to several organizations and charities anonymously and often doesn’t even claim it on his taxes. Remember the lyrics to “Nickles & Dimes”? “The greatest form of giving is anonymous to anonymous/So here yall go, I promise this”.
When the Brooklyn Nets wore their “I Can’t Breathe” t-shirts this week, it was Jay Z who bought and personally delivered them. Even though he did not wear an “I Can’t Breathe” shirt, his donation helps the cause and goes directly to Garner’s family.
Yesterday Jay Z and Russell Simmons met with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to discuss the ongoing crisis of police walking free after murdering innocent Black men. Russell Simmons suggested Cuomo have special prosecutors handle cases of police brutality. The governor didn’t promise anything but said that he will try to get it included in a reform package the governor will try to get passed in 2015. So basically, doesn’t matter how much money you have as a black man, they’re not trying to hear you.
With that said, I hope that it’s clear that Jay Z is definitely out here doing things for the cause that many people are not posting about. I also feel that we should stop looking for celebrities to be our voice in these cases anyway. It’s about time we become our own movement.
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