Hall of Fame songwriter, Jay-Z is using his voice to criticize the system that sent rapper Meek Mill to a prison sentence of two to four years. Jay-Z has already spoken about this incident through social media and even on stage in Dallas during his 4:44 Tour but this time Jay-z pens editorial in the New York Times that focus on the justice system that consumes millions of Black men.
The piece, The Criminal Justice Justice System Stalks Black People Like Meek, was released early on Friday to address the injustice the Roc Nation affiliate is facing. He calls out the lack of rectitude in Judge Genece E. Brinkley and the noxious nature of probation The second paragraph of the editorial Hov writes:
“On the surface, this may look like the story of yet another criminal rapper who didn’t smarten up and is back where he started. But consider this: Meek was around 19 when he was convicted on charges relating to drug and gun possession, and he served an eight-month sentence. Now he’s 30, so he has been on probation for basically his entire adult life. For about a decade, he’s been stalked by a system that considers the slightest infraction a justification for locking him back inside.”
Jay continue to states that what is happening to Meek is yet another example on how the criminal system “entraps and harasses” hundreds of thousands of Black people every day, something he frequently saw in Brooklyn during the 1970s and 80s.
“Instead of a second chance, probation ends up being a land mine, with a random misstep bringing consequences greater than the crime. A person on probation can end up in jail over a technical violation like missing a curfew.”
In the article he also cites statistics about the rate of probation. He also shouts the racial-justice group Color of Change, who is working with Philadelphia to change this failed system. Since Meek Mill’s imprisonment, the judge has been put under FBI investigation and is off the trial due to protest for the “Amen” rapper.
Meek Mill on the other hand remains in solitary confinement. #FREEMEEK
Read the full editorial HERE.
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