An open letter from T.I. in response to the aftermath of Michael Brown’s tragic slaying and the events thereafter
Look at us … America has created a monster. The result of ignoring & mishandling an already fragile spirited, recently enslaved, presently oppressed race-generation of people. Look at us. We’re the monster that now refuses to be dismissed, overlooked and ignored. We were brought to this place, unaware of our own cultures, religion and traditions, therefore, we created our own. Now look at us.
For years we’ve been crying out for the nation to address the substandard education systems and disparaging treatment of our citizens in communities across America. Our people have had an increasing lack of opportunities for generations. There have been homes broken, lives shattered and futures lost on your watch … unanswered. Look at us. How long can u expect a nation/race/generation of people to be blatantly disrespected? Spoken to and treated with arrogant tones of insignificance. Our fathers, uncles, brothers and role models were killed and imprisoned more often than educated. Now look at us. 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.
How long can u continue to pass the buck and make excuses of why u can’t do today what should have been done yester-year? Although I DO NOT support the negative responses & actions of my people in light of this tragedy … I WILL NOT condone your lack of effort to show any urgency to improve the treatment of our people, nor the living conditions in our communities. Your refusal to address these life altering issues makes events such as these seem inevitable. Although I too am at fault to a degree and I admit that I may not have all da answers… I do have a fun fact for you. Insanity is … Going about things the same way, expecting a different result. U wanna different result? U must take different action. What else do u expect? Look at us!!!
Clifford “T.I.” Harris
Rapper, Actor, CEO, Father
