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Jay Z’s revamped deal with Barneys — which will now give 100% of the proceeds from the rapper’s line to minority students — does not address the real problems with shop-and-frisk, a lawyer said.
Jay Z‘s new philanthropic deal with Barneys does not address the root problems of shop-and-frisk for African-Americans, a lawyer charged Saturday.
Michael Palillo, whose client Trayon Christian was stopped by cops after buying a $ 349 belt at Barneys, said the decision to donate 100% of the proceeds from Jay Z’s clothing line to aid minority students was laudable.
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But he wondered if it was enough.
Pearl Gabel/Pearl Gabel for New York Daily N
Trayon Christian was stopped by cops after purchasing a $ 349 belt at Barneys. His lawyer, Michael Palillo, questions if Jay Z’s statement addressed the issues or is just ‘damage control.’
“Is this statement an acknowledgment that racial profiling and discrimination did occur?” the lawyer asked. “Or is this damage control?
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“Will those who were falsely arrested and illegally detained solely due to the color of their skin sleep better this evening by reading Mr. Z’s comments?” he wondered.
On Friday, the hip-hop icon announced that his collection of pricey gear, watches and other items will debut as scheduled Wednesday at Barneys.
Andrew Savulich/New York Daily News
An anti-Barney’s demonstration outside the store at E. 61St. and Madison Ave. at the end of October.
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His Shawn Carter Foundation, originally slated to receive 25% of the sales proceeds, will now get all the money.
Christian, 19, was one of two black Barneys shoppers detained in what their lawyers say were cases of racial profiling.
Jay Z said he will work with the heads of major city retailers to combat profiling.
