Hip-hop star T.I. released a two-part open letter regarding the situation in Ferguson, Missouri. Tip addressed one letter “To My People” and the other “To America.” Both parts of his letter are problematic for the same reasons; but here I will address a few choice excerpts that I found particularly bothersome.
“Look at us. Rebels without a cause. Soldiers without a general. A lost generation. Ready For War. No strategy…no training.”
Perhaps the King of the South should be the one looking. It seems that he’s missed the very focused outrage that actually turned Ferguson into a national story via info sharing on social media; perhaps he didn’t hear the purposeful outcries of those who are aimed at replacing an obviously biased prosecutor. It doesn’t seem that these rebels are “without a cause” at all. There may not be an easy-to-target “leader” of this particular initiative, but there are countless generals in the field and elsewhere; Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, Jesse Williams, Shaun King, Yamiche Alcindor, Malik Shabazz, Alderman Antonio French and others — individuals who are helping to corral the people, focus the fight and get the word out about what’s going on.
“We’d rather use the tragedies of our environment as an excuse to act-out, go-off, or turn-up, rather than use our education, talents and future opportunities to get-out, speak-up and make-a-change.”
This particular statement is completely disconnected from what’s happening in Missouri right now. The people are using their education and talents to speak up and initiate change. It appears Tip is only getting information from CNN; and since CNN has been tossing around buzzwords like “looters” and “Molotov cocktails,” while ignoring the statements from those in Ferguson that there are outside agitators (many of whom are reportedly white anarchists) instigating violence; Tip has taken the Cable News Networks’ reckless reporting as gospel.
In the other portion of his open letter, T.I. addresses “America,” though much of what he says still presents those in Ferguson as wild lawbreakers. [READ “AN OPEN LETTER TO AMERICA” HERE]
“Although I DO NOT support the negative responses & actions of my people in light of this tragedy…”
The “negative responses” have been in the minority, as it pertains to looting and violence at the Ferguson protest. Since they are the minority, why are they being treated as though they are the definitive example of the black response to the Mike Brown shooting and cover-up? In framing his statement this way, Tip essentially gives credence to those who view Ferguson protesters as a mass of gang bangers, setting fires and shooting people; as opposed to what the vast majority of them are: peaceful protesters looking for justice and answers.
“Our friends and relatives murdered and cast aside without thought, as though your human life is more valuable than ours. How long can that go on without consequence? Now Look at us.”
America should be looking at it’s system. The people of Ferguson, those outraged at this killing and subsequent cover-up and heightened police aggression — those people aren’t doing anything wrong. This isn’t an example of rage boiling over into something destructive; this is simply protesters seeking the truth. Again, T.I. frames his perspective through a lens of black shame and critique of people who are simply exercising their Constitutional rights.
