What should Jay-z do about Barney’s Profiling?

 

 

I posted in previous blogs like the one about Tryvon Martins not guilty verdict not being shocking or surprising to me. I didn’t understand what all the protesting and marching was about because incidents similar to Tryvon Martin case has been happening for centuries so to me their was no need to go about the jury’s decision in demonstrating our feelings by doing what we always do march and protest.  This is nothing new where stores racially profile but at the same time Barney’s want to use a person of black skin color to promote their products.

 

 

 

 

If you ask me what I think about it? I would say it is a ass backwards marketing campaign.  So what should Jay-z do?  Well I think Jay-z is in a difficult dilemma because he’s trying to further his brand and money by  collaborating with Barneys New York.  Barneys is expected to start selling items next month by top designers, inspired by Jay-Z, with some of the proceeds going to his charity. Jay-Z is also working with the store to create its artistic holiday window display.  He has to find out  is it the company that is racially profiling or just ignorant employees?  If it is the company’s fault Jay-z has a a moral obligation to drop his dealings with a company that racially profiles people of his color which could be his fans, supports, and future customers. Because it is not the first time that Barney’s racially profiled, In letters to Barneys’ Lee and Macy’s Chief Stores Officer Peter Sachse, released earlier on Tuesday, Schneiderman’s office said it is investigating a total of four complaints from black shoppers who said last week that in the last eight months they were stopped by police after shopping at one of the two stores.

Inequality Grows, From New York to All of America.

For baseball games, Yankee Stadium seats 50,287. If all the homeless people who now live in New York City used the stadium for a gathering, several thousand of them would have to stand. More people in the city lack homes than at any time since . . . It’s hard to say exactly.

Warren Buffet appeared on Bloomberg stating, “That the wealthy income has grown under this Congress and the gap between the rich and poor is widening”.  America doesn’t have a duty to produce jobs but it is their responsibility to take care of it’s citizens making everything fair from taxes we pay to our rights that is being taken away so we are not taken advantage of.   So my question to you is what do we do about homelessness in our country?  Congress is not helping, The wealthy is not helping, and Government programs for the homeless and less fortunate are being eliminated.

In God we Trust is what is written America on the dollar but if we all Trusted in GOD we would abide by his word to help our own not hoard riches for ourselves even in the bible days Jesus dealt with the same situations that is going on today being the rich want to hoard their money while keeping the ones who don’t have money without money.  What will happen when hospitals start closing down? Warning is given but people don’t listen until some real unfortunate situation happens to  them.  Are they ready for the war within this country.  Do they know who will back this war?  Probably different countries that don’t get along well with America.  While inequality grows war grows and grows and grows. What can be done to change this sick way of thinking?  Morals!!!! If every person would ask themselves if I looked at you and saw myself how different would the world be?

The Role of The Black Church Creating Change…. A young Woman Story.

Historically the black church has been a place for creating individual, systemic, and political change within the black community. From its emergence in the late 18th century to its present day relevance, the black church has and will always serve as a safe haven for African Americans, a place to worship God together, and a place where we are motivated to rebuild our communities. You can guarantee that on Sunday between the hours of 7 a.m. (early morning service) to 4 p.m. (afternoon service) there will be a large population of blacks attending church.

Pastors in the black church wield much influence in our community. They fill us up with wisdom, knowledge, and of the Word of God. Our pastors pray with and for us, provide resources and tools, even visit us when we are sick. Our pastors serve as our “elected” spiritual representatives.

Recently, a friend said, “a pastor may mean a lot to you, but what do you mean to them? Are they helping to feed you with the Spirit or are you helping to feed them Ruth’s Chris?”

Initially I was offended. How dare he sneer at the beloved black pastor who serves as a shepherd in our community, who helps to uplift and heal our community! Despite my first reaction, my friend’s question weighed heavily on me as I went to church the next Sunday. I wondered what do these pastors really stand for? Are they more concerned about fancy cars or helping those who are in need? Are they filled with an abundance of spirit or are they waiting to be filled with an abundance of dollars? This is not an attack on the black church or black pastors, but a moment of revelation. Are we making the best use of our pastors to better our community? That is the question that matters most.

With violence rampant in our community, homelessness and unemployment at an all time high, I question what role the black pastor has in helping to alleviate these issues. I believe it is the civic duty of those who are leaders, especially pastors, to lead the charge within the black community to positively change it. Pastors are leaders 24/7. What a pastor says and does makes a difference not only within the church but beyond the pulpit. So often in our community, we hear what is supposed be done, what we should or should not do, but do not see a comprehensive guide to lead us in the right direction. Is it solely the role of the black church to make a difference? No, but it is the duty of those who lead to work towards tangible solutions and encourage others to do and live better.

As someone who regularly attends church, I make it my business to inform my pastor of what is going on within the community (if he does not already know), and how he can be of service. If we are not meeting our pastors and discussing the issues, how can we hold them accountable? How can we expect them to serve us if they don’t know how we should be served? It is up to those who attend church and those who lead the church to come together and work for what is best for the community, how to move forward, and how to sustain it.

The days of complaining should be over; it is time to stop talking and start walking. Our community is on the line. I request that those of you who attend church, address your pastors and ask them what can we all do to better our community. What is our role?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “the church cannot be silent while mankind faces the threat of nuclear annihilation. If the church is true to her mission, he must call for an end to the arms race.” We cannot continue to just attend church and leave; we need to attend church with a purpose and leave with an anointing and an agenda.