Despite facing early criticism the Carters have been very involved in “Black Lives Matter” and Mike Brown’s father is thankful
Jay-Z and Beyonce have faced criticism from those who felt that they could have been more supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement. Perhaps, the criticism may have been premature and incorrect. It seems that the Carters have been very much involved in the movement.
Initially sparked by tweets released by activist and writer Dream Hampton, Hampton revealed that Jay-Z contributed “tens of thousands of dollars” in bail money to protestors in both Ferguson and Baltimore following the Mike Brown verdict and the recent Freddie Gray case.
“They’re waging war on black resistance in a multitude of ways, many of them financially. Protest is literally punished with tariffs,” wrote Hampton.
Upon finding out that the Carters had helped fund bail money for protestors, Mike Brown’s father, Mike Brown Sr. said,
“If it wasn’t for the protestors the issues of police brutality may have been swept under the rug. Because of protestors, people were able to look at what happened to my son and see that we all have to come together and fight police brutality. The support the Carters showed is touching for me.”
Beyonce and Jay-Z’s support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement streamlined to Prince’s recent Rally 4 Peace streamed by Tidal. Prince had said that “He wanted the concert to be a catalyst for pause and reflection following the outpouring of violence that has gripped Baltimore and areas throughout the U.S.” The Carters matched the proceeds raised at the concert. They also met with Freddie Gray’s family and Mike Brown’s mother at the concert.
Jay-Z addressed police brutality, systemic racism and the Ferguson/Baltimore situation at his Tidal concert this weekend in a freestyle stating,
“You know n— die for equal pay, right? You know what I’m worth / I ain’t your slave right / You know I ain’t shucking and jivin’ and high fivin’ / You know this ain’t back in the days right / But i can’t tell by the way they kill Freddie Gray right / Shot down / Mike Brown / Like the way they did Tray right? / Y’all gone’ keep choking’ n—s / we gon’ turn style / I ain’t your token n—–…”
Mike Brown Sr. and his step-mother Calvina Brown say that they are thankful that both Jay-Z and Beyonce are keeping their son’s memory alive while raising awareness.
“We’re just really humbled and appreciative. I know it’s not easy for Jay-Z and Beyonce because I’m sure they will be criticized but it’s very honorable of them to look beyond criticism and do what matters to humanity. At the end of the day we have to make a change in how our young black men are perceived and inspire others to change how they feel about us so that we can save another father’s child.”
-Abesi Manyando(@abesipr)
