After the New York Post published a report critical of Jay-Z's scholarship program, numerous social media users have made it clear they stand with the rapper.
The report called the $407,250 given to students in 2017 "barely enough to cover books." A total of 255 students received grants between $1,000 and $2,500 during the 2017 school year. This money is separate from the scholarship awards given by Jay and Beyoncé during their On the Run II tour reported on Blavity.
In defending the program, the executive director of the Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund, Dania Diaz, said the foundation wants to award a large number of small grants rather than a small number of large ones.
"The foundation’s goal is to reach as many students as possible," Diaz said. "It’s really about breadth in reaching a lot of students.”
Twitter users claimed the Post was out of bounds, with many arguing Jay-Z, one of rap's wealthiest, ought to be lauded for being willing to give anything at all:
Thank you Jay-Z for raising money to help with some college expenses. There are PLENTY of people who can assist with scholarship money and they don't. Anyone who financially gives to further the cause of our people should not be criticized by petty… https://t.co/FaSGGIjzEg
— Dr. Shonna Etienne (@drshonna_) December 9, 2018
As much as I criticize Jay…I’m not feeling this hit piece by the local racist tabloid. Leave the slander to actual participants of the culture, like myself.
Jay-Z's scholarship barely gives some students enough to cover books https://t.co/CtBcG2neMy
— Haze (@GodSon83) December 10, 2018
This is some ungrateful biased bullshit. He isn't required to give anything and the fact that he does is better than a lot of people with more money than he. Let's be clear.
Jay-Z’s scholarship barely gives some students enough to cover books https://t.co/789LUsntLc
pic.twitter.com/bgemhb8HWU— Rex (@RexDMundo) December 9, 2018
Others felt the Post ought to be reporting on the rising costs of a college education:
it's interesting how the focus on jay-z's scholarship is on him not giving enough money, rather than the absurd costs of textbooks and tuition
— keyo (@notveryromantic) December 10, 2018
how is there an article criticizing Jay-Z for only giving $1000 scholarships because it "barely covers books" you coming at the wrong angle bruh, what about why books cost that much???
— Omar. عمر (@theblazingcomet) December 9, 2018
The problem is the cost of higher education not Jay Z’s scholarship. https://t.co/PXi9zjZzdu
— asha (@AshaElizabeth__) December 9, 2018
@MelissaKleinNYP did a article on Jay Z trying to not so subtlety slander his Scholarship Org. claiming it's barely enough to cover books… As if a majority of college kids don't complain about the cost of books. As ungrateful as that article sounds I'm sure they're thankful.
— YDD???????????? (@YoungKhalooo) December 9, 2018
Seriously, when I was in college ANYBODY could’ve bought my books and I would’ve been grateful.
— Brian Norwood (@platypibri) December 9, 2018
And still others felt it is inappropriate to criticize others' charity without giving yourself:
Books cost thousands of dollars. Are you saying you’re going to donate $250K full rides to children? If so, please do, but if you’re doing nothing, you have no right to criticize him.
— aninterestingduck (@aninterestingd1) December 9, 2018
Was this headline and article really necessary? #No
Never slap a volunteer.
— Hear that? CHINwag. chin·wag /CHin waɡ/a chat (@lesleynmitchell) December 9, 2018
Well – ask yourself – what does your scholarship cover for these kids.
— jokey-joe (@jokeyjoe70) December 8, 2018
Jay-Z has not responded to the article.
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