By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
If you’ve been keeping up with the latest controversy surrounding retail giant Barneys New York, then you already know the store has been accused of racial profiling by two African-Americans on a national platform for the last couple of days. The first person to bring the issue to light was 19-year-old Trayon Christian. Christian says he encountered racial profiling immediately after he purchased a $349 Ferragamo belt. The young man says he was handcuffed and arrested by undercover police after they accused him of using a fake ID to make the purchase and they even said someone in the store on the staff claimed the card he used to make the payment was a fake.
He also says police officers harassed him and kept asking him how a black man could afford a designer belt, and they released him after they couldn’t prove he committed a crime. He had was held in a holding cell for two hours, and he’s decided to file a lawsuit against the NYPD and Barneys.
Just days after Trayon told the world his encounter with the store and NYPD, a young black woman by the name of Kayla Phillips came forward and said she experienced a similar situation after she purchased a designer handbag from Barneys. 21 year old Kayla tells the New York Daily News she was swarmed by four plainclothes cops after she used her debit card to purchase a $2,500 Celine handbag.
She claims the police surrounded her and seconds later she was attacked and pushed into a wall while they demanded to see her ID. Kayla says she had no idea things would go the way they did after she innocently wanted to treat herself to the purse with her tax return money. She has also filed a lawsuit against the NYPD.
And now an actor has come forward and claims they were too racially profiled after making a expensive purchase but this time the culprit is Macy’s. Actor Rob Brown says he was detained after he purchased a $1,350 Movado watch for his mother. The NYPD accused him of using a bogus credit card and they released eventually when they could not prove that the card was fake. He has filed a lawsuit against Macy’s and further proves that the incident is not isolated at just retailer.
As we reported recently, Jay Z has inked a deal with Barneys for a Holiday collection, and many of the mogul’s fans have been demanding he drops his association with the company immediately. In fact, one of his own fans created a petition online pushing him to take a stand on the cause. Derick Bowers writes:
We can no longer tolerate blatant prejudice and discrimination. It is clear that the minority buying power is devalued by some. We must withdraw support to those who will not support us.
I’ve been a lifelong Jay Z fan. Jay Z is currently in partnership with Barneys New York for the release of his holiday collection — called “A New York Holiday” (or BNY SCC). Barneys lacks any connection with the black and hip-hop community. And without his vast wealth and brand power, they would see him the same as they see Trayon Christian. Jay Z should be appalled by Barneys actions, and withdraw all support from them. If he does this, he will send a clear message to all corporations that are likeminded, that this behavior cannot be tolerated any longer.
Jay Z hasn’t said a word yet on the controversy, but many feel he needs to say or do something soon considering how vocal he was about Trayvon Martin. Interestingly enough, the rapper and business man’s rep told reporters when asked about the controversy:
“He’s not allowed to answer any questions about that.”
Jay Z remained silent as his handlers and spokesperson continued to tell journalists he would not be speaking on the incident at the moment.
In related news, Barneys is feeling the heat and the store confirmed hours ago that it will discuss the claims next week and the store’s head honchos are meeting will civil activists soon to discuss the accusations.
This is such a bad look for Jay Z. I know he loves money but he needs to end this deal. These companies have mistreated blacks long enough. Time to take a stand.
He’s too selfish to give up this deal. Let’s just be real here.
He can’t answer any questions because he’s not ending that deal. It sucks because this was his moment to stand for something but I can’t say I’m surprised.
I’m a Jay Z fan but I can honestly say he needs to end this deal! If he doesn’t, he’s basically choosing money over his own people. And that’s a shame!
I love Jay but he better do the right thing. At the very least Jay should issue a statement and make Barney’s do some damage control with the situation they started. If that means paying those people then so be it. He doesn’t necessarily have to end the partnership but he needs to address it because he is taking a big hit because of them. If we really want change like I said black people need to stop shopping at Barneys and affect their money that’s the only way real change will occur. Furthermore just because some black people decide to steal doesn’t mean you profile every black person. I hate that way of thinking because if a white person steals they won’t wont bat an eye when another white customer comes in. So that’s some BS you are not going to profile me and disrespect me and get away with it because another black person was caught stealing.
I hope this is a wake up call to all black people. These high end designers and expensive stores do not like us! They don’t respect us so why keep giving them all our money and going broke to represent them? It makes no sense. That’s why I don’t buy designer anything. Those people think the lowest of blacks. They don’t get a dime from me.
PREACH. We have to stop equating our self worth and value to the things we buy. It’s smarter to invest that money. Warren Buffet drives the same car he’s had for like 20 years. And Bill Gates shops at Walmart still. People are so lost.
This whole situation is crazy to me but if folks think it’s only happening at Barneys they are very misinformed.
Jay Z needs to speak up and do something. He had so much to say about Trayvon Martin, but this is his opportunity right here to speak up for the black community. I am so tired of people treating us like this. The good thing about social media is it helps fight for causes and fight for change. I’m sure Twitter helped this story get out and it’s forced Barneys to finally address something that’s been going on for a long time.
I think he thinks this will just blow over and go away soon. But if he doesn’t do anything, it just makes him look like the sellout many thought he was this whole time. I like him but he can’t sit back and do nothing about this.
His PR people are idiots. To say nothing is ruining his relationship with the black community. Smh.
Jay Z ain’t gone do a damn thing. Money is all he cares about.