When news hit more than a week ago that George Zimmerman, the Sanford, Fla., neighborhood watch volunteer who shot and killed unarmed teen Trayvon Martin, was found not guilty in the death of the young teen, millions across the nation, including celebrities, mourned and cried foul about the issue of racism in America as Zimmerman walked away a free man. One of those celebrities was Jay-Z, who recently opened up about his feelings on the controversial case.
“I was angry. I didn’t sleep for two days,” said Jay recent interview with hip-hop journalist Elliott Wilson for his Life + Times website. “We all knew there was still a bit of racism in America but for it to be so blatant.”
Jay also questioned the validity of Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.
“If you just ask yourself the question, ‘didn’t Trayvon have a right to stand his ground?’ He was being chased and he fought back. He may have won, that doesn’t mean he’s a criminal,” Jay questioned.
“You can have a fight with someone and they’re running way, you can shoot them and kill them and you’re fine? What?! Come on. Come on, man,” he later scoffed.
However, despite his anger over the verdict, Jay claims that there is still hope in turning the tide against racism for our nation’s youth.
Hopefully, Jay is right and the younger generations will make the changes the older generations failed to make. In addition, he’s not the only one speaking out against racism. Check out some other artists doing the same thing below. –nicholas robinson
