NY Post Under Fire Over Racially-Charged Jay-Z & Nets Remarks, Writer Speaks Out

Renowned newspaper the New York Post is currently catching fire over a Friday (May 4) column which racially goes after rap mogul Jay-Z and his Brooklyn Nets.

In his "Equal Time" column, New York Post writer Phil Mushnick attacks Young Hov and his influence on the team's new "urban" attire.

"As long as the Nets are allowing Jay-Z to call their marketing shots -- what a shock that he chose black and white as the new team colors to stress, as the Nets explained, their new "urban" home -- why not have him apply the full Jay-Z treatment? Why the Brooklyn Nets when they can be the New York N------s? The cheerleaders could be the Brooklyn B----hes or Hoes. Team logo? A 9 mm with hollow-tip shell casings strewn beneath. Wanna be Jay-Z hip? Then go all the way!" (New York Post)

Shortly after the immediate outcries, Mushnick stepped forward to defend himself.

"Bob - Such obvious, wishful and ignorant mischaracterizations of what I write are common. I don't call black men the N-word; I don't regard young women as bitches and whores; I don't glorify the use of assault weapons and drugs. Jay-Z, on the other hand.....Is he the only NBA owner allowed to call black men N---ers?" Jay-Z profits from the worst and most sustaining self-enslaving stereotypes of black-American culture and I'M the racist? Some truths, I guess, are just hard to read, let alone think about. (Same column I provide support for Amar'e Stoudemire at a time when everyone in town is ripping him to shreds. That was my LEAD, too, but what does that matter?)" (Bobs Blitz)

Earlier this week, the Brooklyn Nets attire was officially unveiled.

The Nets began settling into their new neighborhood Monday, unveiling new colors and logos at a sporting goods store on Flatbush Avenue, across the street from its soon-to-be-completed home arena, the $1 billion Barclays Center. "Hello Brooklyn,"' center Brook Lopez said. "I've been waiting a long time to say that. It's very exciting." Lopez was joined by coach Avery Johnson, General Manager Billy King, Bruce Ratner, the real estate developer and minority owner who was the catalyst behind the team's relocation, and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. (Sports Illustrated)

The team's logo has drawn quick comparisons to another renowned sports franchise.

The new primary logo - created by Brooklyn's own JAY Z - retains the shield from its previous iteration and adds that iconic Brooklyn 'B' to the basketball that has been part of every logo since the franchise's 1967 inception as the Americans. The Dodgers had their lettermark, and the Nets have added another model for the borough to bear. "Brooklyn," of course, is spelled out below. Nets CEO Brett Yormark called this "the new badge for Brooklyn," and JAY Z believes the design's boldness demonstrates confidence in the new direction. (CBS Sports)

Check out a Brooklyn Nets video below: