Usually one to stay quiet when it comes to rumors and other people talking about him in the media, Jay-z recently responded to entertainer Harry Belafonte in regards to a statement Belafonte made about Jay and wife Beyoncè‘s contributions to the black community.
Belafonte, a long time civil rights activist, said of the two megastars “[they] could do more for black people than to get us to shake our butts and buy their records.” According to Yourblackword.net, Jay spoke to Rap Radar about Belafonte’s comments and how he disagrees with the entertainer. “I’m offended by that because first of all, this is going to sound arrogant, but my presence is charity. Just who I am, just like Obama is. Obama provides hope.”
Jay went on to say that although he is up for Belafonte’s challenge to do more for the black community, the way that Belafonte went about doing it was all wrong. “The way he did it, within the media, and then big upped Bruce Springsteen. It was like ‘whoa’ you just sent the wrong message all around,” Jay explained. According to Hov, making the comments about white Springsteen in the “white” media was the wrong way to challenge him and his wife. Jay also claims that the statements were not to be taken in a “racial way”. While I do somewhat agree with Jay, I don’t think there is anyway that these comments cannot be taken in a racial way. My opinion is, if they are taken in a racial way, so be it.
In the end, both sides make good points. Jay goes on to say that his presence is charity, quoting a line from his latest album Magna Carta Holy Grail. So, what do you think? Is Jay’s presence charity enough or does Harry Belafonte have a point about Jay-z’s and Beyonce’s contributions to the black community?
