Barneys Agrees To Pay $525K To Settle Racial Profiling Lawsuit
What Was Said: “Barneys lacks any connection with the Black and hip hop community,” said Derick Bowers, the creator of the Change.org petition asking Jay to withdraw his support of Barneys, in a statement. “And without his vast wealth and brand power, they would see him the same as they see Trayon Christian [one of the men alleging racial profiling]. 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."
When The Diss Came: October 25, 2013
Response: "The Devil Is A Lie," Rick Ross featuring Jay Z
Date Of Response: December 19, 2013
Days Between: 55
Lyric: "You seen what I did to the stop and frisk / Brooklyn on the Barney's like we own the bitch / Give the money to the hood, now we all win / Got that Barney's floor lookin' like a VIM"
Fallout: Jay never gave up the Barneys partnership, and it paid off for him to the tune of more than $1 million after its November launch. But there was a positive spin after all—Barneys agreed to donate 100 percent of the profits of the line to the Shawn Carter Foundation, which is aiming to help high school kids with socio-economic challenges land college scholarships. A win for everyone?
Remember when Barneys had an issue with two young African Americans shopping at their stores and citing credit fraud on their behalf? Apparently, that didn't sit too well with many people including Jay Z. The rapper was nearly considering removing his merchandise out of the store and exiting from his partnership with the company.
After a huge outcry, Barneys has obliged to pay a costly fine worth $525,000. Asides from paying a fine, the company will "employ an anti-profiling consultant, develop an anti-profiling policy, investigate claims of profiling by customers, and provide anti-profile training to employees."
In a statement pertaining to the agreement, Barneys CEO Mark Lee said the following: “Barneys New York has prided itself on providing an unparalleled customer experience to every person that comes into contact with our brand—open and welcoming to one and all.”
Despite the charges last year, Jay Z and Barneys collaboration wheeled in over $1 million earlier this year.
[Fader]
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