Jay Z is calling for change.
In a powerful multimedia op-ed published by the New York Times, the rapper calls the "so-called war on drugs" an "epic fail" and focuses on how racial injustice has contributed to the problem. Jay Z (real name: Shawn Carter) wrote and narrated the video, which plays out as artist Molly Crababble's images are displayed on the screen.
"Jay Z and Molly Crabapple's groundbreaking video will educate millions of people about the devastation wrought on the African American community because of the drug war," said asha bandele, Senior Director for Grants, Partnerships and Special Projects at the Drug Policy Alliance. "That it is offered at a moment when policymakers are finally joining advocates in demanding an end to the architecture that actually incentivizes biased policing and police violence makes it especially timely."
As Jay Z points out in the video, "Rates of drug use are as high as they were when Nixon declared this so-called war in 1971. Forty-five years later, it's time to rethink our policies and laws. The War on Drugs is an epic fail."
What do you think of Jay Z's op-ed? Sound off below in the comments.