Jay Z says 'My presence is charity', compares self to Obama in response to Harry Belafonte's critici

[gllahone84]

lol really. all them dudes (at least the athletes) are oddly enough sponsored and endorse a company that has exploited the hood faaaaaaaaaar more then any rapper/entertainer has ever had.

I have issue with them too. But this thread is about Jay and charity. We can get to them later. 

 

[knowledgebones72]

You know what, man?

I get it.

You are a better Black man than Jay Z.

You are a great person, and everyone should be like you.

People who don't see things the way you see them, or do the things you want them to do are wrong.

Because you are right.

And Jay Z is wrong.

And no one should respect him more than they would respect you. Because you are much more down for your people.

Got it.

 

[Magic33]

Actually, Lewis gave millions to Harvard to pave the way for more black students to attend Harvard just as he gave to Virginia State to do the same. He set up his own scholarship fund at Virginia State to give students the opportunity to go to college. I know this for a fact because my ex was awarded his scholarship.

He didn't give close to the same amount while he was alive.

A couple of scholarships and millions are a big difference. They had a couple of checks to Harvard.

His wife gave money to VSU a couple of years ago, which is why they now have the school of business in his name. They gave a check also to Harvard in the same amount.

He died in 93. From 65 to 2011...

Do you give more money to the person struggling or the one who can survive fine without your money?

 

[Magic33]

To whom much is given. If I had the financial wherewithal like Jay I promise I would be doing less bragging in my music, but the social issues would be addressed through my music. You can enlighten people through music. Bob Marley did it, John Lenin did it, a ton of artist bring light through the music. 

Facilities, foundations, community centers would be established nation wide like a food franchise to uplift the youth. I would establish something to compete with the likes of the YMCA, and other private organizations to provide inspiration.

What do I do?

I volunteer weekly at the crisis unit in town to help those who are not financially able to pay for utility bills to get assistance to do so. That's when I'm not working full time, and going to school full time. That's a job in itself. But I do volunteer at the Helping Ministries.

That's only done twice a week a week because my schedule prevents me from doing more. I also donate to charity through my school. But if I had the bread like Jay has, I honestly would be trying to establish more for positive causes. 

But Jay Z is Jay Z.

Bob Marley is Bob Marley because not everybody did it. That's what made him special. Just like Medgar Evers, John Lewis or Martin Luther King.

Marvin Gaye didn't do it. Al Green didn't do it. Rick James didn't do it.

What did Whitney Houston do? She was from Newark.

Michael Jackson donated money, nothings wrong with that.

Jay signed up for being a rapper and entertainer, not black peoples savior and an activist. If Chuck D was in Jay Z's position I'd say you were right to expect more.

 

[lordofcastamere]

We just have to agree to disagree on this one.

For the record, I'm not hating on Jay man, the comparisons being made are just absurd that's all. And his comment about charity was asinine.

I don't see Jay like you all see him. 

And charity should be far reaching if you're bread is that long, and what is the real, measurable effect of his charity?

Agree to disagree is right, I don't think those comments were asinine. He ACTUALLY gives to charity but owes you NOTHING.

 

[heliumclinton]

You guys don't think his presence is charity though? People don't make money off of a Jay Z appearance ?

 

[shoelyesses]

I have issue with them too. But this thread is about Jay and charity. We can get to them later. 

lol but YOU brought them up...I was just pointing it out. Even the reference to Oprah... Sure she helps AA women...but on a large scale, her views, her divided attitude towards AA males. Her whole uplift AA women by downplaying and belittling AA males could be used to say she does nothing for the AA community as a whole.

The fact that he does anything whether it big on a large scale or minuet, is more then he is obligated to do or suggested that he will do or says his purpose is to do.

I just feel out of all the prominent AA ppl who hang they hat on being for the empowerment and uplift of the AA ppl and community, who fall short, and come nowhere near as close to what their image/persona suggests get a pass. Yet a dude who never once professed he was nor suggested he was, yet in still does something positive gets vilified, hated on and discredited is a little unfair and very bias and hypocritical.   

 

[d nice]

He didn't give close to the same amount while he was alive.

A couple of scholarships and millions are a big difference. They had a couple of checks to Harvard.

His wife gave money to VSU a couple of years ago, which is why they now have the school of business in his name. They gave a check also to Harvard in the same amount.

He died in 93. From 65 to 2011...

Do you give more money to the person struggling or the one who can survive fine without your money?

I think he didn't give as much to VSU as he did to Harvard  because Harvard was in his heart and it help mold him into what he would become. He saw Harvard as the pinnacle of academic excellence and he probably felt as though African American students from all backgrounds would be served well if they could be brought to an institution like Harvard. It's not to say that he didn't value VSU, but I think VSU was more for students in the area he grew up in. Black students whether they come from poor backgrounds or middle class backgrounds have benefited From Reginald Lewis contributions to both institutions.

 

[tr1ll]

What if Kanye would've said that, doe?

"Niketalk is currently undergoing maintenance.."

 

[j apostrophe]

Its obvious that people just have scanning biases..

Ya'll look for anything to support your claim and ignore everything else..

This is why I typically don't engage in NT debates..

But all I know is.. Hov went to my home State in Nigeria and help bring clean water to the villages.

This was back in like 06-07. 



Hov got his own street for his efforts.. Been on it several times.



He was also made into a Honorary Chief..

I would have no problems bowing to this man..

Because in my culture that's what you have to do.. That goes for any elder though..

My fellow Nigerians know what I'm talking about..



He brought the Water for Life project to other African nations as well..

I think he did an MTV diary about it too and presented it to the UN.

But somehow this isn't charity?

When you do stuff like this.. He can compare himself to Obama all he wants. It won't rustle my jimmies one bit.

 

[lordofcastamere]

You guys don't think his presence is charity though? People don't make money off of a Jay Z appearance ?

I guess you could look at it in the literal sense.

 

[Magic33]

What if Kanye would've said that, doe?

"Niketalk is currently undergoing maintenance.."

I'd have the same opinion, well it's Kanye

But he doesn't have the best record when it comes to charity

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/kanye-west-charity

 

[memo]

You guys don't think his presence is charity though? People don't make money off of a Jay Z appearance ?

He wasn't talking about appearances, he was saying him just being alive is charity to the world.

 

[Magic33]

He brought the Water for Life project to other African nations as well..
I think he did an MTV diary about it too and presented it to the UN.

But somehow this isn't charity?
When you do stuff like this.. He can compare himself to Obama all he wants. It won't rustle my jimmies one bit.

I remember when this happen, I was hearing but what is he doing for New York, Brooklyn and the people here.

Man, like I say, Jay is in the position like Obama that he can do no right. Nothing will ever be enough. People will always expect more, but the difference is Obama ran for president. Jay Z didn't decide to be our ambassador.

50 pays for the girls funeral and people say, awwww that was nice of 50. If Jay Z did it, that's all he's doing?

I think the comment was stupid, but he's in a damned if you do, damned if you don't position.

 

[lordofcastamere]

I also edited my post which showed the fiancee was appearing in several ad campaigns for Rocawear.

None of those dudes exploited the hood the way Jay has throughout his career. 

Throughout huh? Damn all this time I thought I listened to Reasonable Doubt because it was genius, coming to find out I'm being exploited.

 

[southsidechi773]

This whole "Jay Z should do this" thing is irrelevant.

As far I am concerned it is great that he has done charity work and continues to do so.

The issue is that we as the Black Community continue to wait on entertainers to do for us when we should be setting the tone. Marvin Gaye or any other entertainer in my parents era would have been left on the side of the road if any of them would have said what Jay Z said.

We let these entertainers elevate themselves to God like status whenever they do something decent for once and in turn "White America" use these guys as the default "Black Folk Liaisons", like they know what it feels like to go to a 9 to 5 and spend most their lives having to go out their way to make the dominate society feel safe because of the images that Jay Z and his counterparts make millions off of.

Jay Z should be an inspiration business wise and that is it.

 

[keko jones]

This whole "Jay Z should do this" thing is irrelevant.

As far I am concerned it is great that he has done charity work and continues to do so.

The issue is that we as the Black Community continue to wait on entertainers to do for us when we should be setting the tone. Marvin Gaye or any other entertainer in my parents era would have been left on the side of the road if any of them would have said what Jay Z said.

We let these entertainers elevate themselves to God like status whenever they do something decent for once and in turn "White America" use these guys as the default "Black Folk Liaisons", like they know what it feels like to go to a 9 to 5 and spend most their lives having to go out their way to make the dominate society feel safe because of the images that Jay Z and his counterparts make millions off of.

Jay Z should be an inspiration business wise and that is it.

I read two of your post thus far and you are pretty much on point!

 

[lordofcastamere]

Jay Z should be an inspiration business wise and that is it.

YEP, basically the jist of this thread.

 

[shoelyesses]

I remember when this happen, I was hearing but what is he doing for New York, Brooklyn and the people here.

Man, like I say, Jay is in the position like Obama that he can do no right. Nothing will ever be enough. People will always expect more, but the difference is Obama ran for president. Jay Z didn't decide to be our ambassador.

50 pays for the girls funeral and people say, awwww that was nice of 50. If Jay Z did it, that's all he's doing?

I think the comment was stupid, but he's in a damned if you do, damned if you don't position.

truth and if folks really want to get real...and say Jay Z isn't doing enough or could do more based on his position...Then Obama is failing so short compared to his position and what he could do as far as improve AA conditions/position/place in America. Hell if anybody at the very least could give AA their promised 40 acres and a mule (or todays equivalence to it) would be him. After all he is the leader of the free world.

MLK/Martin as well as others fought so that one day a man could be in a position to make radical, much needed changes in our society, specifically for minorities and in particular AA...and the majority of who he has helped is woman of the nation (which is majority white women) and homosexuals/transgenders.

And unlike Jay, Obama placed himself in the position to make the changes (was his moniker and namesake) and considering the position AA were in before him, and today...little or much of anything changed.

So I don't get why hate a man who didn't subscribe nor asked to have an impact on AA, evoke, or make changes in terms of the conditions/place of AA.

Yet a man who is in the position, devoted his life to do so...and yet to really make any major strides or changes gets praised. Not saying he isn't influential or deserve to be admired.... But if you really want to be honest and compare the to as far as position, what they sought out to do...and what they have actually done......  

 

[shoelyesses]

This whole "Jay Z should do this" thing is irrelevant.

As far I am concerned it is great that he has done charity work and continues to do so.

The issue is that we as the Black Community continue to wait on entertainers to do for us when we should be setting the tone. Marvin Gaye or any other entertainer in my parents era would have been left on the side of the road if any of them would have said what Jay Z said.

We let these entertainers elevate themselves to God like status whenever they do something decent for once and in turn "White America" use these guys as the default "Black Folk Liaisons", like they know what it feels like to go to a 9 to 5 and spend most their lives having to go out their way to make the dominate society feel safe because of the images that Jay Z and his counterparts make millions off of.

Jay Z should be an inspiration business wise and that is it.

So a drug dealer or ex drug dealer...or person with a criminal past, who grew up in hardship would be wrong....to relate and see inspiration/hope in Jay Z because of the similarities in his past regressions and their current ones?

 

[MIKE LOWERY]

For a guy who's 40+ and continues to talk about (and in turn make money off) his depraved/deprived beginnings, you would think he would at least try to do something about it and give back to it a little.

But that's my and some others mind state. If you disagree fine. But at one point it was expected of people from the community who "made it". But in this era it seems things have changed. I just don't like this he don't owe you anything mindset that has been fostered in this capitalistic society of exploitation. The people are now even beginning to echo it too as we look up to these regular *** dudes with particular talents that have been judged as profitable. It even permeates through the family structure of black homes as well. But whatever.

 

[knowledgebones72]

For a guy who's 40+ and continues to talk about (and in turn make money off) his depraved/deprived beginnings, you would think he would at least try to do something about it and give back to it a little.

But that's my and some others mind state. If you disagree fine. But at one point it was expected of people from the community who "made it". But in this era it seems things have changed. I just don't like this he don't owe you anything mindset that has been fostered in this capitalistic society of exploitation. The people are now even beginning to echo it too as we look up to these regular *** dudes with particular talents that have been judged as profitable. It even permeates through the family structure of black homes as well. But whatever.

Bruh you have not read through this thread at all.

It's been proven that Jay Z has given back a lot.

He has a scholarship fund.

He set up a trust fund for Sean Bell's daughter and paid his fiancée.

He set up a clean water project in Africa.

He's renovated gyms across the country for the Boys and Girls Club.

That's only some of what he's done.

The fact that you dont think he has given anything back is a belief you have that is false.

 

[Deleted member 72674]

281 new posts about this subject....

 

[gllahone84]

You know what, man?

I get it.

You are a better Black man than Jay Z.

You are a great person, and everyone should be like you.

People who don't see things the way you see them, or do the things you want them to do are wrong.

Because you are right.

And Jay Z is wrong.

And no one should respect him more than they would respect you. Because you are much more down for your people.

Got it.

So much wrong with this post, but I'll let you think whatever you want. 

I'm not here to convince anyone, just posting like you, but I don't hold this guy in such high regard like you and others seem to do. 

 

[mjsaver]

Whew just read back 5/6 pages and boy it got heated in here, glad im late to the party.

Hov definitely inspires me but i can only speak for myself, growing up in Brooklyn , hanging in Marcy, and knowing people that grew up with him. Just knowing hes from the hood and seeing how far hes come definitely inspires me.

Is he some perfect role model ? Hell no but he doesnt need to be for inspiration to certain people.