Jay Z Trayvon Martin Case VIDEO: George Zimmerman 'Is a F**king Mall Cop,' 'Magna Carta' Rapper Says [WATCH]
Jay Z is often reserved and guarded with his public statements, but the rapper expressed frank and unfiltered anger over George Zimmerman's acquittal.
The rapper said he was so upset over the verdict, he didn't sleep for two days. Jay Z made the pointed comments during a interview on July 19 with Rap Radar's CEO Elliot Wilson. The Brooklyn-born hip-hop star said Zimmerman's acquittal shows that the country still has some ways to go in regards to ethnic equality and tolerance.
"We all knew there was still racism but for it to be so blatant...didn't Trayvon have a right to stand his ground?" he said, referring to the 17-year-old Zimmerman shot and killed on Feb. 26, 2012, in Sanford, Fla.
Mr. Cater also had some very scathing opinions about Zimmerman's decision to pursue Trayvon Martin.
"Professionals are taught not to profile," he said. "This guy is a novice; this guy is a f**king mall cop. You can't assess a situation and figure out what you're going to do, that's not what you do for a living."
Despite the gravity of the tragedy, the rapper said he did see somewhat of a silver lining in Martin's death - that the loss of a young man, though unfortunate, would have an impact on legislation and bring about social change.
"Even that Stand Your Ground law...you can have a fight with someone, and if they are running away you can shoot them and kill them and you're fine...what?!" Jay Z said. "Hopefully this is the moment that changed that law and changed the way we interact with each other, and you hate that a child had to be sacrificed for that."
