Dr. Raphael Crawford @DrRaphaelC
Answers 4 Questions About the NFL and Jay-Z's Partnership
Dr. Michael Robinson: What are your thoughts about the NFL and Jay-Z’s partnership?
Raphael Crawford: Defenders of the Confederacy maintain that it's not about hatred, but heritage; defenders of the NFL's oppressive actions against those who knelt in protest of racist policing maintained that it was about football, with no concern for the Black bodies brutalized by racist policing. Oppressors have always singled out and rewarded Black individuals willing to betray the advancement and trust of their own people for personal gains. While I am greatly saddened with Jay-Z's decision to allow himself to be used in this way, I understand the pathology behind his decision.
Perhaps Jay Z sees this as a good thing, I can’t speak for him. However, as a Black man, I see it as a betrayal and a slap in the face to his fans and his people who have attempted to force change in abusive policing by responding to the NFL’s racist opposition to the protests.
The NFL likely considers the matter closed since they finally lassoed a high-profile Black celebrity to put out front as the unofficial spokesperson for Black people, and Jay-Z probably inked a lucrative financial deal for himself. I don’t expect to see any benefit to those brutalized and murdered by racist policing. In short, this looks like the typical divide and conquer; Jay-Z gets to promote his music and make more money, while the NFL gets to continue business as usual. Victims and surviving families of police brutality don’t benefit from this deal.
Dr. Michael Robinson: Do you think Jay-Z was right when he said we have moved past kneeling?
Raphael Crawford: While Jay-Z's involvement in social justice is undeniable, his comments are off-base. He does not get to decide when we have moved past kneeling. I hope that he meant that the movement has weakened and it’s time for another approach. Somehow, he thinks that chumming up with the NFL, and organization that still resists any meaningful involvement in the call for social justice, is a good move. He gets to speak for himself, but not for Black people, and not for the victims of racist policing. His comments lead me to believe that he lacks knowledge of the real struggle for social justice. I don’t know his music and never been a fan; but if I were, his insensitive comments would cause me to rethink supporting him.
Dr. Michael Robinson: And to want extent do you think now that Jay-Z is in partnership with the NFL more entertainers will end their personal boycott and participate in events such as the half-time show of the Super Bowl?
Raphael Crawford: This partnership will lead other entertainers to “cross the picket line” and get on board with the NFL again. For most of today’s entertainers, the dichotomy of being socially conscious versus contracting a performance is significant. Do they stand by their social convictions, or do they perform and get paid? Yes, Jay-Z will influence other performers to drop their participation in protest and follow the money. Money has always been one-way oppressors kept Black people divided post-slavery. In reality, many Black people had already stopped, or never boycotted the NFL; they talked about Kaepernick doing a great job but cheered on their favorite teams and purchased NFL merchandise. This deal stands to create division among celebrities and those who follow them. I seriously doubt that Jay-Z has much concern for how people feel about him now.
Dr. Michael Robinson: Finally, does this allow the NFL to move away from the Colin Kaepernick conversation?
Raphael Crawford: The NFL never engaged in conversation about police brutality or social justice, in fact, it avoided any mention of those and showed absolutely no concern for the plight of Black families devastated by racist policing. The NFL uses Black bodies to make millionaire team owners richer, it is not concerned with the rampant racism in this country. In many ways, the NFL’s response to players who knelt in protest sent a strong message of support for White Supremacy and racist policing. While the NFL likely considers this deal to be the final nail in the coffin of conversations about, or with, Kaepernick, Black people must continue to force the conversation..
Raphael Crawford: Defenders of the Confederacy maintain that it's not about hatred, but heritage; defenders of the NFL's oppressive actions against those who knelt in protest of racist policing maintained that it was about football, with no concern for the Black bodies brutalized by racist policing. Oppressors have always singled out and rewarded Black individuals willing to betray the advancement and trust of their own people for personal gains. While I am greatly saddened with Jay-Z's decision to allow himself to be used in this way, I understand the pathology behind his decision.
Perhaps Jay Z sees this as a good thing, I can’t speak for him. However, as a Black man, I see it as a betrayal and a slap in the face to his fans and his people who have attempted to force change in abusive policing by responding to the NFL’s racist opposition to the protests.
The NFL likely considers the matter closed since they finally lassoed a high-profile Black celebrity to put out front as the unofficial spokesperson for Black people, and Jay-Z probably inked a lucrative financial deal for himself. I don’t expect to see any benefit to those brutalized and murdered by racist policing. In short, this looks like the typical divide and conquer; Jay-Z gets to promote his music and make more money, while the NFL gets to continue business as usual. Victims and surviving families of police brutality don’t benefit from this deal.
Dr. Michael Robinson: Do you think Jay-Z was right when he said we have moved past kneeling?
Raphael Crawford: While Jay-Z's involvement in social justice is undeniable, his comments are off-base. He does not get to decide when we have moved past kneeling. I hope that he meant that the movement has weakened and it’s time for another approach. Somehow, he thinks that chumming up with the NFL, and organization that still resists any meaningful involvement in the call for social justice, is a good move. He gets to speak for himself, but not for Black people, and not for the victims of racist policing. His comments lead me to believe that he lacks knowledge of the real struggle for social justice. I don’t know his music and never been a fan; but if I were, his insensitive comments would cause me to rethink supporting him.
Dr. Michael Robinson: And to want extent do you think now that Jay-Z is in partnership with the NFL more entertainers will end their personal boycott and participate in events such as the half-time show of the Super Bowl?
Raphael Crawford: This partnership will lead other entertainers to “cross the picket line” and get on board with the NFL again. For most of today’s entertainers, the dichotomy of being socially conscious versus contracting a performance is significant. Do they stand by their social convictions, or do they perform and get paid? Yes, Jay-Z will influence other performers to drop their participation in protest and follow the money. Money has always been one-way oppressors kept Black people divided post-slavery. In reality, many Black people had already stopped, or never boycotted the NFL; they talked about Kaepernick doing a great job but cheered on their favorite teams and purchased NFL merchandise. This deal stands to create division among celebrities and those who follow them. I seriously doubt that Jay-Z has much concern for how people feel about him now.
Dr. Michael Robinson: Finally, does this allow the NFL to move away from the Colin Kaepernick conversation?
Raphael Crawford: The NFL never engaged in conversation about police brutality or social justice, in fact, it avoided any mention of those and showed absolutely no concern for the plight of Black families devastated by racist policing. The NFL uses Black bodies to make millionaire team owners richer, it is not concerned with the rampant racism in this country. In many ways, the NFL’s response to players who knelt in protest sent a strong message of support for White Supremacy and racist policing. While the NFL likely considers this deal to be the final nail in the coffin of conversations about, or with, Kaepernick, Black people must continue to force the conversation..