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In my opinion, Made in America is a glorification story, not a biography. While Dyson does address Jay-Z harmful and destructive past, he does little to acknowledge the long-lasting affects that Jay-Z's past would have on those communities and how it would or should affect Jay-Z's future. There is little done to hold his idol accountable.
I'm all for "bright hustling." There's no denying that Jay-Z, as a black man, was able to pull himself up out of the trenches and become the billionaire we know today. But what about all of the people he had to exploit to get there? The people he sold crack to? Surely a man, who shot his drug-addicted older brother at age 12, has the characteristics of a person who would stop at nothing to become successful. And those are characteristic that are NOT above criticism, even as we praise his growth and success.
So when Dyson says "even Jesus couldn't fix that" in response to a question asked about why our Black icons don't do more to improve the systems that those of us who are less fortunate must survive through every day - it is disheartening. The same community of that Jay-Z was willing to exploit to become rich, is the same community that he should be WANTING to invest in now that he's made it. Because he had to stand on the backs of that poor, Black community to get there.
Basically, he doesn't get a pass to ignore the struggles of us "little people" just because he's a Black icon. He should be investing, rebuilding, restructuring, the Black community that he contributed to destroying in his younger days. Step up.
Yes Darianna, and add to your observations the fact (related to Ashley's post) that JAY-Z's bright hustle still victimizes vulnerable people who are, for example, forced to work in sweat shops that manufacture his products. But maybe all bright hustling, and capitalism itself, exploit us "little people". Question - I know you're graduating next year and will make some good money. What do you say to a person who demands that you "give back" to the community? I know that your situation is different from Jay's and that you didn't exploit anyone by going to law school. But what do you say to people who say "it's my money and I can do what I want with it." Also, if we're demanding that affluent Black people step up, shouldn't we demand that all Americans who have exploited and continue to exploit black people (predatory lenders, just one example) step up.