Free Republic

Jay-Z has responded to criticism from legendary actor and activist Harry Belafonte that the rapper has failed to use his celebrity in a social responsibly way. Last year, Belafonte reportedly said “I think one of the great abuses of this modern time is that we should have had such high-profile artists, powerful celebrities. But they have turned their back on social responsibility. That goes for Jay-Z and Beyonce, for example." * * * Jay-Z said,“I’m offended by that because first of all, and this is going to sound arrogant, but my presence is charity. Just who I am. Just like...

...Sotheby’s will offer the document for sale Thursday, along with two others: the scribbled notes for a speech King planned to deliver in Memphis, Tenn., three days after he was assassinated, and a letter of condolence from former president Lyndon B. Johnson to King’s widow. The auction house put the overall presale estimate for the three documents at US$750,000 to $1.13 million, with the Vietnam speech alone valued at $500,000 to $800,000. ...“I am at the end of my life — I will be 82 shortly — and there are a lot of causes I believe in for which resources...