laurarichardson said:

mjscarousal said:

Jay Z has not built generational wealth for his own people and its sad you don't see the hyprocrisy in that. How can he tell Black people to build wealth for their generations when he doesn't put money in his own community?

It is not Jay-Z's job to build generational wealth for anyone but his own family. This is the reason the word "Generational" is used. It is also not his job to put money back into the community. What he can do and appears to be doing his use his music to point out a few things about wealth building. Give a man a fish he eats today.Teach a man how to fish he eats every day. Hands outs do not build generational wealth. Maybe some of those kids in Prince/Van Jones program for coding can go work for Tidal one day instead of just streaming music and you know Jay/Z is now working with Van Jones to fund these charities.

That is not how generational wealth works and your unfamiliar with Black generationalw wealth. Generational wealth has a lot to do with putting money back into your communities not just your family. This is a major reason for gentification and why underdeveloped Black communities never thrive because BLACK people who have become successful don't go back and put money into their community. In order to teach generational wealth, one has to set an example by helping to build their community. Its hyprocritical to scold Black people on their lack of building generational wealth when he does not put money in his own community. As an African American who grew up poor, he should put money back into his community. IMO, every successful Black person should. White people are not going to do this. WE have to build our own generational wealth.

[Edited 7/10/17 4:28am]

mjscarousal said:

mjscarousal said:

laurarichardson said:

mjscarousal said: It is not Jay-Z's job to build generational wealth for anyone but his own family. This is the reason the word "Generational" is used. It is also not his job to put money back into the community. What he can do and appears to be doing his use his music to point out a few things about wealth building. Give a man a fish he eats today.Teach a man how to fish he eats every day. Hands outs do not build generational wealth. Maybe some of those kids in Prince/Van Jones program for coding can go work for Tidal one day instead of just streaming music and you know Jay/Z is now working with Van Jones to fund these charities.

That is not how generational wealth works and your unfamiliar with Black generationalw wealth. Generational wealth has a lot to do with putting money back into your communities not just your family. This is a major reason for gentification and why underdeveloped Black communities never thrive because BLACK people who have become successful don't go back and put money into their community. In order to teach generational wealth, one has to set an example by helping to build their community. Its hyprocritical to scold Black people on their lack of building generational wealth when he does not put money in his own community. As an African American who grew up poor, he should put money back into his community. IMO, every successful Black person should. White people are not going to do this. WE have to build our own generational wealth.

[Edited 7/10/17 4:28am]

What do you think he is doing with Van Jones? He started a charity arm of Tidal with Van. Helping young people learn a skill that translates into decent paying jobs will help the black community. You also have not idea what Jay-Z is doing with his money as he may be keeping his mouth shut just like Prince did.

Stop getting all of your info from the media who never tells the whole story about anything postive that is going on in the black community.

I also do not think he is scoulding anyone because telling someone the truth is telling the truth. As a people we get up in our feelings and do not want to listen especially when we are being told the free truck with give aways is not coming.

Generational wealth is about the following things.

1) Getting an education.

2) Investing

3) Passing wealth that one generation earned down to the next generation.

Helping to build low income housing is not going to build generational wealth but teching people how to be entruperniaul or obtaining a marketable job skill will.

hausofmoi7 said:

The system and society is un fair and the deck is impossibly stacked against some people, I don't think Jay Z is necessarily saying that if he can do it, so can you. When people are in an eternally impossible place\situation, telling them to keep fighting is instinctual.

Correct he is saying fight and change. Even do better than me. He even scolds himself about not buying property years ago. I was never a fan of his as far as his rapping but I think he took a big leap with the record but realize he put himself in a postion to say this stuff because he is the boss.

It is no different than Prince talking smack about the industry after he left WB. When you are the boss you can do and say as you please.

laurarichardson said:

mjscarousal said:

That is not how generational wealth works and your unfamiliar with Black generationalw wealth. Generational wealth has a lot to do with putting money back into your communities not just your family. This is a major reason for gentification and why underdeveloped Black communities never thrive because BLACK people who have become successful don't go back and put money into their community. In order to teach generational wealth, one has to set an example by helping to build their community. Its hyprocritical to scold Black people on their lack of building generational wealth when he does not put money in his own community. As an African American who grew up poor, he should put money back into his community. IMO, every successful Black person should. White people are not going to do this. WE have to build our own generational wealth.

[Edited 7/10/17 4:28am]

What do you think he is doing with Van Jones? He started a charity arm of Tidal with Van. Helping young people learn a skill that translates into decent paying jobs will help the black community. You also have not idea what Jay-Z is doing with his money as he may be keeping his mouth shut just like Prince did.

Stop getting all of your info from the media who never tells the whole story about anything postive that is going on in the black community.

I also do not think he is scoulding anyone because telling someone the truth is telling the truth. As a people we get up in our feelings and do not want to listen especially when we are being told the free truck with give aways is not coming.

Generational wealth is about the following things.

1) Getting an education.

2) Investing

3) Passing wealth that one generation earned down to the next generation.

Helping to build low income housing is not going to build generational wealth but teching people how to be entruperniaul or obtaining a marketable job skill will.

I said that was a part of generational wealth building and the bolded is...absurd. Why don't you think that will not help generational wealth? I was not just only referring to low income housing. I was referring to building communities, schools, programs, etc that will help Black families and children. White people are not going to help us and due to classism and racism in a lot of these communities, most Black communities do not have these tools and resources to even build generational wealth. So it makes no sense to me that you think succesful Black individuals turning their back on their Black communities has nothing to do with the lack of generational wealth building in the Black community. Black people do not invest in their communities like White communities and that is largely why they have more generational wealth than us, this is a fact. I believe in telling the truth BUT if you are not practicing what you preach than your words mean nothing. I hate Black people that try to tell other Black folk what they need to do BUT they don't do shit for their own community.

This is the same Jay Z that did a deal with Barney after they racially profiled a young Black Boy. This drew big controversy but Jay Z still collaborated with this company. Jay Z doesn't give a fuq about Black people.

[Edited 7/10/17 10:47am]

RJOrion said:

mjscarousal said:

The mention was shade and I am glad Eric Benet responded to it. If your a true MC, you don't need to shade and mention other celebrities for attention.

Nas was the truest MC of all time...he put eternal shade on JayZ, with "Ether"... "true MCs" take shots at people all the time ...Common shot at Drake...Rakim shot at Big Daddy Kane...Chuck D shot at EVERYONE...you should know battling and playing dozens is at the core of hiphop...he supposed to do that...especially with all the shots hes taken over the years, concerning his Camel facial features and disloyal behavior towards his artists and towards his women...why cant Jay shade a few clowns in return?...you cant seriously be defending those he shaded?...Future?...Ye?...Pill Cosby?...Eric Benet?...O.J.?...those people deserved it...and the alleged shots he took werent really that disrespectful, they were more like name drops...and as far as him talking about his wife and he, it seems like hes saying things out of remorse and regret, and not boasting or glorifying it...he clearly says, "I Apologize", several times...in 4:44

Jay Z is always taking shots at people who don't take shots at him. Its attention seeking to name drop other celebrities and although this is apart of the culture, a real MC doesn't have to do this. Its disrespectful to say you give gifts to your mistresses, have threesomes and you cheat on your wife and Jay Z still cheating on Beyonce.

mjscarousal said:

laurarichardson said:

What do you think he is doing with Van Jones? He started a charity arm of Tidal with Van. Helping young people learn a skill that translates into decent paying jobs will help the black community. You also have not idea what Jay-Z is doing with his money as he may be keeping his mouth shut just like Prince did.

Stop getting all of your info from the media who never tells the whole story about anything postive that is going on in the black community.

I also do not think he is scoulding anyone because telling someone the truth is telling the truth. As a people we get up in our feelings and do not want to listen especially when we are being told the free truck with give aways is not coming.

Generational wealth is about the following things.

1) Getting an education.

2) Investing

3) Passing wealth that one generation earned down to the next generation.

Helping to build low income housing is not going to build generational wealth but teching people how to be entruperniaul or obtaining a marketable job skill will.

I said that was a part of generational wealth building and the bolded is...absurd. Why don't you think that will not help generational wealth? I was not just only referring to low income housing. I was referring to building communities, schools, programs, etc that will help Black families and children. White people are not going to help us and due to classism and racism in a lot of these communities, most Black communities do not have these tools and resources to even build generational wealth. So it makes no sense to me that you think succesful Black individuals turning their back on their Black communities has nothing to do with the lack of generational wealth building in the Black community. Black people do not invest in their communities like White communities and that is largely why they have more generational wealth than us, this is a fact. I believe in telling the truth BUT if you are not practicing what you preach than your words mean nothing. I hate Black people that try to tell other Black folk what they need to do BUT they don't do shit for their own community.

This is the same Jay Z that did a deal with Barney after they racially profiled a young Black Boy. This drew big controversy but Jay Z still collaborated with this company. Jay Z doesn't give a fuq about Black people.

[Edited 7/10/17 10:47am]

It takes money to build things and money does not magically fall from the sky. Black people can have the resources to build things if they put their time and effort into activities that are geared to long term earning potential which in this O.J. song is all Jay-Z is saying.

White communities have generational wealth because they get an education in a growing career field, invest their money and live conservatively. The parents teach the children and the children teach their children.

Once again you have no idea what Jay-Z is doing with his money for his community as he just partnered up with Van Jones to start a charity arm of Tidal. You are always coming to these topics with zero facts or information. Do you even know how wealth is generated? The last thing we need is doling out free services or money to people with no instruction on how to grow that money or build on that service.

Your response is exactly what I said about black people getting in their feelings and not listening. Just keep doing the same old things that do not work

mjscarousal said:

Dakarai said:

mjscarousal said:

That is not how generational wealth works and your unfamiliar with Black generationalw wealth. Generational wealth has a lot to do with putting money back into your communities not just your family. This is a major reason for gentification and why underdeveloped Black communities never thrive because BLACK people who have become successful don't go back and put money into their community. In order to teach generational wealth, one has to set an example by helping to build their community. Its hyprocritical to scold Black people on their lack of building generational wealth when he does not put money in his own community. As an African American who grew up poor, he should put money back into his community. IMO, every successful Black person should. White people are not going to do this. WE have to build our own generational wealth.

[Edited 7/10/17 4:28am]

I agree with a lot of what you say. Question, is it not possible that Jay may have already gotten his wake up call and is now trying to change? While working on the Kalief Browder story, Jay said it really woke him up to a lot of the ills in our society, especially on regards to mass incarceration. Beyonce and himself began to put money towards the movement and helping folks get out of jail a year or two ago among other things. I'm very skeptical about their motives at times because they are marketing geniuses. But usually when you get that wake up call, your behavior changes (should). So is it at all possible this could be that change?

He hasn't gotten his negro wake up call. This album proves that. He is still playing industry politics. He doesn't care about putting money in anyone pockets but his own.

And as far as the bolded, That is all apart of them being marketing geniuses. They didn't donate money to BLM or bail anybody out (I remember when that report came out when Beyonce and Jay were promoting a project). We need them to put money into building schools, non profit organizations, programs that help the youth, speaking out on injustices, using their platform to better the community.....people are are truly freedom fighters don't benefit from it.

mjscarousal said:

Dakarai said:

mjscarousal said: I agree with a lot of what you say. Question, is it not possible that Jay may have already gotten his wake up call and is now trying to change? While working on the Kalief Browder story, Jay said it really woke him up to a lot of the ills in our society, especially on regards to mass incarceration. Beyonce and himself began to put money towards the movement and helping folks get out of jail a year or two ago among other things. I'm very skeptical about their motives at times because they are marketing geniuses. But usually when you get that wake up call, your behavior changes (should). So is it at all possible this could be that change?

He hasn't gotten his negro wake up call. This album proves that. He is still playing industry politics. He doesn't care about putting money in anyone pockets but his own.

And as far as the bolded, That is all apart of them being marketing geniuses. They didn't donate money to BLM or bail anybody out (I remember when that report came out when Beyonce and Jay were promoting a project). We need them to put money into building schools, non profit organizations, programs that help the youth, speaking out on injustices, using their platform to better the community.....people are are truly freedom fighters don't benefit from it.

What would you say about his past work as well, including assisting Sean Bell's kids with college? Or him recently meeting with a governor to discuss criminal justice reform. He wasn't promoting anything at that time and presenting politicians with an agenda and money is what needs to be done.

I would like to see them do more work, but I don't think we can expect them to reach that level of consciousness and empowerment we'd like to see them have. Kendrick has consistently spoke on social issues for example, but I haven't really seen him putting in the type of work we need. Kaepernick and maybe a few others are really the only ones consistently using their platform and putting money up.

laurarichardson said:

mjscarousal said:

I said that was a part of generational wealth building and the bolded is...absurd. Why don't you think that will not help generational wealth? I was not just only referring to low income housing. I was referring to building communities, schools, programs, etc that will help Black families and children. White people are not going to help us and due to classism and racism in a lot of these communities, most Black communities do not have these tools and resources to even build generational wealth. So it makes no sense to me that you think succesful Black individuals turning their back on their Black communities has nothing to do with the lack of generational wealth building in the Black community. Black people do not invest in their communities like White communities and that is largely why they have more generational wealth than us, this is a fact. I believe in telling the truth BUT if you are not practicing what you preach than your words mean nothing. I hate Black people that try to tell other Black folk what they need to do BUT they don't do shit for their own community.

This is the same Jay Z that did a deal with Barney after they racially profiled a young Black Boy. This drew big controversy but Jay Z still collaborated with this company. Jay Z doesn't give a fuq about Black people.

[Edited 7/10/17 10:47am]

It takes money to build things and money does not magically fall from the sky. Black people can have the resources to build things if they put their time and effort into activities that are geared to long term earning potential which in this O.J. song is all Jay-Z is saying.

White communities have generational wealth because they get an education in a growing career field, invest their money and live conservatively. The parents teach the children and the children teach their children.

Once again you have no idea what Jay-Z is doing with his money for his community as he just partnered up with Van Jones to start a charity arm of Tidal. You are always coming to these topics with zero facts or information. Do you even know how wealth is generated? The last thing we need is doling out free services or money to people with no instruction on how to grow that money or build on that service.

Your response is exactly what I said about black people getting in their feelings and not listening. Just keep doing the same old things that do not work

The bolded is misinformed. You're not taking many things into consideration as it pertains to the Black experience.

African Americans are the most marginalized race out of any other race and naturally DONT have the same resources and opportunities as their white counterparts so you can't go and tell Black people to "build wealth" when they don't have the resources to do so. Black people have had their generational wealth stolen from them due to slavery and Jim Crow so how you gone to tell them to build wealth like that is something that they are use too? Black people are trying to SURVIVE and not get shot by the police. They don't have the resouces in their communities to teach them how to build generational wealth. This is the result of a history of institutionalized racism and discrimination against Blacks in this country (this is a BIG factor that you blindly keep leaving out). The system is design for us NOT to succeed and thrive, now of course with hard work we can over come BUT some Black communities unfornately are not afforded with the opportunity to even attempt to rise above.

That is why we need BLACK people like JAY Z to GO BACK into Black communities and build so the young generation will know how to build for themselves. You can't hold Black people to the same standards as White people and other races because our experience and obstacles that we experience is NOT the same.

So you just gonna ignore that Jay Z continued to partner with Barney after a Black boy was racially profiled at the store??? As far as your comment on Van Jones, Jay Z is promoting TIDAL, period. He only does things that benefits him and puts money back into his pockets.

I do know how wealth is generated but this conversation is on generational wealth in the Black community and you strangely keep equating it as if generational Black weath building is universal and its NOT. The Black experience is DIFFERENT from other races. You can't catagorize our experience with other races and cultures. You have not a clue what your talking about...at all. You don't have to school me on anything because Im OUT HERE in my community (the good, the bad, the ugly), I see whats going on for myself and I speak from that experience not on what I read off the internet.

mjscarousal said:

Dakarai said:

mjscarousal said:

He hasn't gotten his negro wake up call. This album proves that. He is still playing industry politics. He doesn't care about putting money in anyone pockets but his own.

And as far as the bolded, That is all apart of them being marketing geniuses. They didn't donate money to BLM or bail anybody out (I remember when that report came out when Beyonce and Jay were promoting a project). We need them to put money into building schools, non profit organizations, programs that help the youth, speaking out on injustices, using their platform to better the community.....people are are truly freedom fighters don't benefit from it.

What would you say about his past work as well, including assisting Sean Bell's kids with college? Or him recently meeting with a governor to discuss criminal justice reform. He wasn't promoting anything at that time and presenting politicians with an agenda and money is what needs to be done.

I would like to see them do more work, but I don't think we can expect them to reach that level of consciousness and empowerment we'd like to see them have. Kendrick has consistently spoke on social issues for example, but I haven't really seen him putting in the type of work we need. Kaepernick and maybe a few others are really the only ones consistently using their platform and putting money up.

I saw that photo with him and the govenor. He wasn't meeting with the govenor to talk about criminal justice reforms. He was doing a photo op AND LETS BE REAL, lets say... he REALLY talked with the govenor about criminal justice reforms....WHAT EXACTLY CAME ABOUT IT? What exactly about him meeting the govenor helped reduced law enforcement excessive force against Black men?

We don't need people talking

We don't need people promoting TIDAL

We don't need people doing Photo Ops.

We need successful Black folks down in the gutter helping the communities that need it the most. You're right, I don't expect much from any of these people because they are narcissists and they don't give a damn about anybody but their own money. I just offense to people hailing Jay Z as a "social activist" when he doesn't do anything for the Black community. Unfornately, this generation doesn't have public figures/celebrities that are freedom fighters like MJ, Harry Belonfonte, etc that really want to use their platform to help the Black community and GIVE BACK. You're right about Kendrick, he does talk about social issues but I haven't seen him really use his platform to make change. I can't speak on Sean Bell, I am not really familiar with that incident. A lot of things that Jay Z does is for PR and attention. Most of the things you mentioned he did was for PR but I agree with your overall point. We as in Black people have to rely on ourselves and not these celebrities and politicians to help us. We don't have any Black leaders so we have to be our own leaders.

Dakarai said:

mjscarousal said:

The bolded is misinformed. You're not taking many things into consideration as it pertains to the Black experience.

African Americans are the most marginalized race out of any other race and naturally DONT have the same resources and opportunities as their white counterparts so you can't go and tell Black people to "build wealth" when they don't have the resources to do so. Black people have had their generational wealth stolen from them due to slavery and Jim Crow so how you gone to tell them to build wealth like that is something that they are use too? Black people are trying to SURVIVE and not get shot by the police. They don't have the resouces in their communities to teach them how to build generational wealth. This is the result of a history of institutionalized racism and discrimination against Blacks in this country (this is a BIG factor that you blindly keep leaving out). The system is design for us NOT to succeed and thrive, now of course with hard work we can over come BUT some Black communities unfornately are not afforded with the opportunity to even attempt to rise above.

That is why we need BLACK people like JAY Z to GO BACK into Black communities and build so the young generation will know how to build for themselves. You can't hold Black people to the same standards as White people and other races because our experience and obstacles that we experience is NOT the same.

So you just gonna ignore that Jay Z continued to partner with Barney after a Black boy was racially profiled at the store??? As far as your comment on Van Jones, Jay Z is promoting TIDAL, period. He only does things that benefits him and puts money back into his pockets.

I do know how wealth is generated but this conversation is on generational wealth in the Black community and you strangely keep equating it as if generational Black weath building is universal and its NOT. The Black experience is DIFFERENT from other races. You can't catagorize our experience with other races and cultures. You have not a clue what your talking about...at all. You don't have to school me on anything because Im OUT HERE in my community (the good, the bad, the ugly), I see whats going on for myself and I speak from that experience not on what I read off the internet.

I also work in the community, mostly with young adults. Folks like her won't understand our experience is unique. It requires a different approach. I make sure the young kids I'm working with understand that it isn't just about going to school, getting a STEM degree, and all of a sudden, you're successful. You're wasting your time discussing this with her.

Excellent points, I agree and you're right I don't even know why I bothered. She don't know what the hec she talking about.

[Edited 7/10/17 13:04pm]

mjscarousal said:

RJOrion said:

mjscarousal said: Nas was the truest MC of all time...he put eternal shade on JayZ, with "Ether"... "true MCs" take shots at people all the time ...Common shot at Drake...Rakim shot at Big Daddy Kane...Chuck D shot at EVERYONE...you should know battling and playing dozens is at the core of hiphop...he supposed to do that...especially with all the shots hes taken over the years, concerning his Camel facial features and disloyal behavior towards his artists and towards his women...why cant Jay shade a few clowns in return?...you cant seriously be defending those he shaded?...Future?...Ye?...Pill Cosby?...Eric Benet?...O.J.?...those people deserved it...and the alleged shots he took werent really that disrespectful, they were more like name drops...and as far as him talking about his wife and he, it seems like hes saying things out of remorse and regret, and not boasting or glorifying it...he clearly says, "I Apologize", several times...in 4:44

Jay Z is always taking shots at people who don't take shots at him. Its attention seeking to name drop other celebrities and although this is apart of the culture, a real MC doesn't have to do this. Its disrespectful to say you give gifts to your mistresses, have threesomes and you cheat on your wife and Jay Z still cheating on Beyonce.

.

It sells records!

mjscarousal said:

Dakarai said:

What would you say about his past work as well, including assisting Sean Bell's kids with college? Or him recently meeting with a governor to discuss criminal justice reform. He wasn't promoting anything at that time and presenting politicians with an agenda and money is what needs to be done.

I would like to see them do more work, but I don't think we can expect them to reach that level of consciousness and empowerment we'd like to see them have. Kendrick has consistently spoke on social issues for example, but I haven't really seen him putting in the type of work we need. Kaepernick and maybe a few others are really the only ones consistently using their platform and putting money up.

I saw that photo with him and the govenor. He wasn't meeting with the govenor to talk about criminal justice reforms. He was doing a photo op AND LETS BE REAL, lets say... he REALLY talked with the govenor about criminal justice reforms....WHAT EXACTLY CAME ABOUT IT? What exactly about him meeting the govenor helped reduced law enforcement excessive force against Black men?

We don't need people talking

We don't need people promoting TIDAL

We don't need people doing Photo Ops.

We need successful Black folks down in the gutter helping the communities that need it the most. You're right, I don't expect much from any of these people because they are narcissists and they don't give a damn about anybody but their own money. I just offense to people hailing Jay Z as a "social activist" when he doesn't do anything for the Black community. Unfornately, this generation doesn't have public figures/celebrities that are freedom fighters like MJ, Harry Belonfonte, etc that really want to use their platform to help the Black community and GIVE BACK. You're right about Kendrick, he does talk about social issues but I haven't seen him really use his platform to make change. I can't speak on Sean Bell, I am not really familiar with that incident. A lot of things that Jay Z does is for PR and attention. Most of the things you mentioned he did was for PR but I agree with your overall point. We as in Black people have to rely on ourselves and not these celebrities and politicians to help us. We don't have any Black leaders so we have to be our own leaders.

.

The bolded above......yes!!

.

The black communities need someone they can "look up to", and Jay Z is certainly not the first person to come to mind as a role model for young black youth, or the black community in general.

Dakarai said:

mjscarousal said:

laurarichardson said:

mjscarousal said:

I said that was a part of generational wealth building and the bolded is...absurd. Why don't you think that will not help generational wealth? I was not just only referring to low income housing. I was referring to building communities, schools, programs, etc that will help Black families and children. White people are not going to help us and due to classism and racism in a lot of these communities, most Black communities do not have these tools and resources to even build generational wealth. So it makes no sense to me that you think succesful Black individuals turning their back on their Black communities has nothing to do with the lack of generational wealth building in the Black community. Black people do not invest in their communities like White communities and that is largely why they have more generational wealth than us, this is a fact. I believe in telling the truth BUT if you are not practicing what you preach than your words mean nothing. I hate Black people that try to tell other Black folk what they need to do BUT they don't do shit for their own community.

This is the same Jay Z that did a deal with Barney after they racially profiled a young Black Boy. This drew big controversy but Jay Z still collaborated with this company. Jay Z doesn't give a fuq about Black people.

[Edited 7/10/17 10:47am]

It takes money to build things and money does not magically fall from the sky. Black people can have the resources to build things if they put their time and effort into activities that are geared to long term earning potential which in this O.J. song is all Jay-Z is saying.

White communities have generational wealth because they get an education in a growing career field, invest their money and live conservatively. The parents teach the children and the children teach their children.

Once again you have no idea what Jay-Z is doing with his money for his community as he just partnered up with Van Jones to start a charity arm of Tidal. You are always coming to these topics with zero facts or information. Do you even know how wealth is generated? The last thing we need is doling out free services or money to people with no instruction on how to grow that money or build on that service.

Your response is exactly what I said about black people getting in their feelings and not listening. Just keep doing the same old things that do not work

The bolded is misinformed. You're not taking many things into consideration as it pertains to the Black experience.

African Americans are the most marginalized race out of any other race and naturally DONT have the same resources and opportunities as their white counterparts so you can't go and tell Black people to "build wealth" when they don't have the resources to do so. Black people have had their generational wealth stolen from them due to slavery and Jim Crow so how you gone to tell them to build wealth like that is something that they are use too? Black people are trying to SURVIVE and not get shot by the police. They don't have the resouces in their communities to teach them how to build generational wealth. This is the result of a history of institutionalized racism and discrimination against Blacks in this country (this is a BIG factor that you blindly keep leaving out). The system is design for us NOT to succeed and thrive, now of course with hard work we can over come BUT some Black communities unfornately are not afforded with the opportunity to even attempt to rise above.

That is why we need BLACK people like JAY Z to GO BACK into Black communities and build so the young generation will know how to build for themselves. You can't hold Black people to the same standards as White people and other races because our experience and obstacles that we experience is NOT the same.

So you just gonna ignore that Jay Z continued to partner with Barney after a Black boy was racially profiled at the store??? As far as your comment on Van Jones, Jay Z is promoting TIDAL, period. He only does things that benefits him and puts money back into his pockets.

I do know how wealth is generated but this conversation is on generational wealth in the Black community and you strangely keep equating it as if generational Black weath building is universal and its NOT. The Black experience is DIFFERENT from other races. You can't catagorize our experience with other races and cultures. You have not a clue what your talking about...at all. You don't have to school me on anything because Im OUT HERE in my community (the good, the bad, the ugly), I see whats going on for myself and I speak from that experience not on what I read off the internet.

I also work in the community, mostly with young adults. Folks like her won't understand our experience is unique. It requires a different approach. I make sure the young kids I'm working with understand that it isn't just about going to school, getting a STEM degree, and all of a sudden, you're successful. You're wasting your time discussing this with her.

mjscarousal said:

laurarichardson said:

Dakarai said:

I also work in the community, mostly with young adults. Folks like her won't understand our experience is unique. It requires a different approach. I make sure the young kids I'm working with understand that it isn't just about going to school, getting a STEM degree, and all of a sudden, you're successful. You're wasting your time discussing this with her.

--Funny how that worked out for me and millions of others. You cannot help other people unless you have your own house in order first. Funny how I find time to help young people by not filling their heads with nonsense. I came up the hard way without silver spoon in my mouth and knew I had to go and work to get mind before I could advise anyone else. Get an education, trade, or start a businees then give some one a hand up. Other minority groups do this everyday and we can do it as well. Stop this crying all the time and go out and do it. Get off the socialist road to poverty. [Edited 7/11/17 10:45am]

This is post is very ignorant and disrespectful to Black culture and Black people. I see right through you, you have adapted that "New Black" way of thinking and this priveledge way of thinking and turning your back on your community and BLAMING your community on their misfortunes is what is hurting the Black community. I don't know whats not clicking in your head on this issue. There are some communities that DON'T have an opportunity to be something. Work ethic and motivation is not a factor in these incidents (and this is the case for many of these BLACK communities). I find it very disrespectful how you are implying Black people are lazy and are not motivated. WTF I don't see how you can sit here and say that as an African American when Black people are some of the most hardworking individuals on the face of this earth. Black people are the ones that BUILT America through sweat and tears. Its not our fault we live in a country where the system is design to oppressed and marginalized us. You can't blame Black people for that. You can be driven and motivated all you want but if you don't have an opportunity to show what skills you do have, then you cannot be successful, PERIOD. Lack of opporunitiy and tokenism is what is hurting the Black community in this area.

laurarichardson said:

mjscarousal said:

I saw that photo with him and the govenor. He wasn't meeting with the govenor to talk about criminal justice reforms. He was doing a photo op AND LETS BE REAL, lets say... he REALLY talked with the govenor about criminal justice reforms....WHAT EXACTLY CAME ABOUT IT? What exactly about him meeting the govenor helped reduced law enforcement excessive force against Black men?

We don't need people talking

We don't need people promoting TIDAL

We don't need people doing Photo Ops.

We need successful Black folks down in the gutter helping the communities that need it the most. You're right, I don't expect much from any of these people because they are narcissists and they don't give a damn about anybody but their own money. I just offense to people hailing Jay Z as a "social activist" when he doesn't do anything for the Black community. Unfornately, this generation doesn't have public figures/celebrities that are freedom fighters like MJ, Harry Belonfonte, etc that really want to use their platform to help the Black community and GIVE BACK. You're right about Kendrick, he does talk about social issues but I haven't seen him really use his platform to make change. I can't speak on Sean Bell, I am not really familiar with that incident. A lot of things that Jay Z does is for PR and attention. Most of the things you mentioned he did was for PR but I agree with your overall point. We as in Black people have to rely on ourselves and not these celebrities and politicians to help us. We don't have any Black leaders so we have to be our own leaders.

--It is not Jay-z job to find the solution to prison reform. It is the job of people to get off their ass and vote people into office that are going to do something about prison reform.

C'mon Laura you are being very very very naive on this issue and I consider you to be very intelligent. You're right it is the job of regular folk to vote and do something and believe me we are! We are out in the streets and lobbying to politicians trying to make changes to these discriminatory policies and reforms. HOWEVER, IF JAY Z takes a photo with a govenor and he insists they talked about criminal justice reforms, WHY shouldn't people hold him accountable? WHY shouldn't people expect something to come out of it if that is something Jay Z expressed he was trying to change??? The problem with Jay Z is that he is full of bullshit and only does things for PR and attention. He is not about anything real and people have a right to call him out on it.

[Edited 7/11/17 11:25am]

cloveringold85 said:

mjscarousal said:

I saw that photo with him and the govenor. He wasn't meeting with the govenor to talk about criminal justice reforms. He was doing a photo op AND LETS BE REAL, lets say... he REALLY talked with the govenor about criminal justice reforms....WHAT EXACTLY CAME ABOUT IT? What exactly about him meeting the govenor helped reduced law enforcement excessive force against Black men?

We don't need people talking

We don't need people promoting TIDAL

We don't need people doing Photo Ops.

We need successful Black folks down in the gutter helping the communities that need it the most. You're right, I don't expect much from any of these people because they are narcissists and they don't give a damn about anybody but their own money. I just offense to people hailing Jay Z as a "social activist" when he doesn't do anything for the Black community. Unfornately, this generation doesn't have public figures/celebrities that are freedom fighters like MJ, Harry Belonfonte, etc that really want to use their platform to help the Black community and GIVE BACK. You're right about Kendrick, he does talk about social issues but I haven't seen him really use his platform to make change. I can't speak on Sean Bell, I am not really familiar with that incident. A lot of things that Jay Z does is for PR and attention. Most of the things you mentioned he did was for PR but I agree with your overall point. We as in Black people have to rely on ourselves and not these celebrities and politicians to help us. We don't have any Black leaders so we have to be our own leaders.

.

The bolded above......yes!!

.

The black communities need someone they can "look up to", and Jay Z is certainly not the first person to come to mind as a role model for young black youth, or the black community in general.

I agree.

This is a very sad situation for us.

This generation is lost. They don't have a true Black revolutionist that is willing to teach Black youth about their history and how to fight the system in a non violent way.

LittleBLUECorvette said:

What has happened to this thread. I'm bout to start a positive Jay-Z thread soon.

People are talking about the video and its sparking thought provoking conversation.

Nothing happened

mjscarousal said:

cloveringold85 said:

.

The bolded above......yes!!

.

The black communities need someone they can "look up to", and Jay Z is certainly not the first person to come to mind as a role model for young black youth, or the black community in general.

I agree.

This is a very sad situation for us.

This generation is lost. They don't have a true Black revolutionist that is willing to teach Black youth about their history and how to fight the system in a non violent way.

.

It starts in the home; parents need to guide their children, or they will be lost forever.

deebee said:

I want to hate this, but I do like the track and the video. I'm still not persuaded that Jay-Z's accumulation of wealth is a plus for anyone other than Jay-Z, though. (Always seems a thumpingly convenient kind of politics in which 'progress' is represented by one acquiring a massive personal fortune for oneself, especially since that's structurally impossible to reproduce on a mass level.) Still, as I say, the track's a good 'un. And the video's thoughtful without being self-consciously 'artsy' - as the work of his elevator assailant and her sister can tend to be in their more 'woke' moments.

Spot on as usual, bro.

I dig the track and I think the video is brilliant but we are not quite ready to hand J the mantle to lead us to the promised land.

He did say he's giving million dollar advice for 9.99 though.

Racism was created as a result of Capitalism. You can't pick one.

mjscarousal said:

mjscarousal said:

laurarichardson said:

mjscarousal said: --It is not Jay-z job to find the solution to prison reform. It is the job of people to get off their ass and vote people into office that are going to do something about prison reform.

C'mon Laura you are being very very very naive on this issue and I consider you to be very intelligent. You're right it is the job of regular folk to vote and do something and believe me we are! We are out in the streets and lobbying to politicians trying to make changes to these discriminatory policies and reforms. HOWEVER, IF JAY Z takes a photo with a govenor and he insists they talked about criminal justice reforms, WHY shouldn't people hold him accountable? WHY shouldn't people expect something to come out of it if that is something Jay Z expressed he was trying to change??? The problem with Jay Z is that he is full of bullshit and only does things for PR and attention. He is not about anything real and people have a right to call him out on it.

[Edited 7/11/17 11:25am]

Maybe he did talk to the governer about it. What else do you want him to do? Why are you assuming he went to speak to the governer just to take a picture?

He is a business man running his business you have to do PR. You cannot do anything if you are not in a postion of power which in America comes from money. Now Jay-Z is new money so his power and influence is going to be limited but who knows maybe the Carter children and futrue generations could be the next Kennedy's or Rockefellas.

I can tell you the black Kennedys will arrive and it will happen due to Capitalism. Not due socialism and do not be so sure those black Kennedys will not be able to effect change. Not all super wealthy people are inherently evil.

Look at Warren Buffet and what he and his family are doing with their money. Or even the Bill Gates Foundation. How many black doctors and sciencetist do you think we not have or will have due to the Bill Gates Scholarship fund. ( I have a cousin who got one of these Scholarships)

It takes money.