Dear Jay-Z: We're Not As Stupid As You Think

Courtesy: Washington Post

By now we've all read several pieces about the Rocnation and NFL partnership. It's the 180 degree spin heard around the world, and at the center of it is Jay-Z. It threw us all off to a degree. Not because Jay made a deal, but because Jay vehemently disassociated with said league. He vociferously backed Colin Kaepernick, to then magically feel like we're past kneeling now.

I had a short conversation with my friend Lisa last week regarding Jay-Z and how he brings his comments across sometimes. She said quite plainly that Jay seems to speak to us many times as if we don't have any sense. That's probably a big reason as to why there has been so much backlash with the announcement of this deal.

Courtesy:Page Six

Jay-Z's partnership with the NFL is a business venture that will allow Jay-Z's entertainment company Rocnation to help provide entertainment for such marquee events like the Superbowl. There will be consultation with the league's social justice initiatives as well as some sort of future stake for Jay in an ownership group for a team.

Last week Roger Goodell and Jay-Z held a closed press conference that was moderated by Charlemagne Tha God. As far as I saw it, this was a half ass attempt to explain the partnership in a fashion where they believed they could alleviate any blow back. It was weird to me that the attendees just seemed to be handpicked folks and not necessarily members of the media. Charlemagne had the opportunity to ask the obvious questions and he did. He alluded to the kneeling protests and whether or not Jay even consulted with Kap prior to signing on the dotted line. Jay's responses came off as if he was ill-prepared. At times he even came off as defensive. He responded to criticism by saying that he "thinks" we're past kneeling. It's time to move on to what he deems are "actionable items." He went on to explain that there are different ways for protests to manifest and yield fruitful results. He in no way detailed however, what actionable items he foresaw that would help the movement.

For a man who in later years has championed contrarianism, it's so odd that he has been seemingly taken aback. How dare the Black public want more clarity on this partnership? This is the same man that spit "question religion, question it all." That's a healthy practice. At my core, that is who I am many times, it's what so much of my own work is predicated on. With that being said, and for all the praise that Jay-Z gets, shouldn't he have expected this?

 Courtesy: Vlad TV

How can you say that you feel we're already beyond the kneeling protests without having a conversation with Colin Kaepernick? Sure, Jay states that they spoke, but that just seemed like he was quelling the flames so to speak. In actuality Nessa Diab, Colin's girlfriend and New York's Hot 97 radio host had a different story. She stated that the two men have not spoken in regards to this partnership and she finds it to be a "disgusting" one at that.

So many folks view this deal as a slap in the face. 

Jay has taken his elder statesman persona to a new level here. He seems to want to be treated as someone above reproach, and that just doesn't sit well with many. Enough of us already knew that good credit trumps blowing money in the strip club. It's akin to knowing baked chicken is probably healthier than fried chicken. Popeye's continues to flourish. My point is that the majority of Jay's fan base is actually older than me. They're nearer to his age and have matured with his music. Give us all more credit.

I'm leery of this deal because we got details on the business side of the partnership, but no specifics on what's in it for "us." We have no further clarity as to if Colin getting a tryout is a priority of the commissioner. We were given no details that would've aided in calming down any resistance to this news. To me, that came off as lazy. It came off as Jay being able to sort of play victim again. When people weren't quick to embrace TIDAL, he tried to say that the industry wanted us to hate on the Black man. This is the same dude who believed that his mere presence was charity enough to a cause.

Yes we understand how he has executive produced important documentaries for our culture. But I also feel that in the back of our minds we also have a desire to see Jay get his hands dirtier in some respects. More times than not folks see him make decisions that benefit him more so than the greater good. 

I would have much rather hear Jay own it all. If it's a business venture and an offer you felt that you couldn't refuse, then say that. If you really didn't speak with Kap, then say that. He has become a wizard at spinning questions around a bit so as to make us look introspectively. His response would in turn include a question of his own. That's how he can create his narrative. In the press conference he asked folks there if they knew what the protests were about. Everyone answered correctly saying "police brutality." I felt like yelling ding ding ding! They all should have gotten a gold star.

The truth of the matter is that the protest brought light to a league that has a bigger race issue besides police brutality. The league has conspired against Colin Kaepernick for exercising his first amendment rights. Kaepernick is a player who was a starting quarterback in a Superbowl. Yet he is someone who hasn't even been invited to work out for teams. Jay's obliviousness to that fact shows to me  that he has agreed to turn a blind eye to that issue.

We don't have to take what you give us and like it. 

This doesn't come from a person who doesn't like Jay. Many of us love his music. But there are times in life where you can be wrong and strong. This is one of those moments for Jay. He could've rolled out this deal better. He could have things in place for social justice initiatives to present, especially knowing there would be push back publicly. This whole deal just wreaked of hubris and audaciousness. Maybe he'll make believers out of all of us down the line. But for now, it's a no from me dog.

These are my words and I make no apologies.