Rapper Jay Z keeps clothing line at Barneys despite claims of racial profiling

Rapper Jay Z said on Friday that he will go ahead with his clothing
collaboration with upscale retail chain Barneys
New York Inc, but will also join a council
fighting racial profiling, as authorities
investigate Barneys and other major retailers
accused of discrimination against black
shoppers.
Jay Z, 43, one of the best-selling rappers and an
entrepreneur, collaborated with Barneys on the
BNY SCC clothing label. Initially 25 percent of the
proceeds were to go to Jay Z’s foundation but
not 100 percent of profits will be donated.
But Jay Z came under fire for his partnership
when two black shoppers alleged they were
detained by New York police and accused of
fraud after buying luxury items in Barneys.
Jay Z, real name Shawn Carter, released a
statement on his Life + Times website saying his
team was being kept updated on the
investigations of the two detained shoppers, and
that he would sit on a council “specially
convened to deal with the issue of racial
profiling.”
“I am in a unique position to use my voice to
affect change to this disturbing issue. The easy
position would have been to walk away and
leave policy making to others hoping that
someone addresses the problem. I will not leave
the outcome to others,” he said.
“I will take this into my own hands with full
power to recommend, review and revise policies
and guidelines moving forward. I am choosing
to take this head on,” the rapper added.
Barneys has also pledged to donate 10 percent of
all retail sales from Barneys stores nationwide
and online on November 20 to Jay Z’s
foundation.
Barneys said the amount the company would
raise for the foundation on November 20 would
amount to at least $1 million.
“Moving forward, Mr. Carter’s leadership in this
process will further strengthen the industry’s
ability to ensure that anyone who walks into a
retail establishment is treated equally and with
respect,” the company said in a statement. “We
welcome Mr. Carter’s input and
recommendations to our future policies and
guidelines.”
Barneys is being investigated alongside Macy’s
Inc in what has become known as “shop-and-
frisk,” as multiple reports emerged of black
shoppers allegedly being detained due to racial
profiling.