T.I. Pens Open Letter To Donald Trump: ‘What Do You Want US To See?’
Atlanta rapper T.I. has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind about issues concerning the black community- he’s always willing to stand against police brutality and racial injustice, through both direct actions, like marching, and through the lyrics in his music. Now he’s addressing another huge threat to the black community- President Elect Donald Trump.
Tip penned an open letter in Rolling Stone to the PEOTUS, addressing the image he’s created for himself among the black community, explaining why there’s so much hurt and rage stemming from America’s racist backbone and asking Trump to take a long look at himself to see if he’s really going to help the problem, or continue to inflame it. “As you transition into your role as the President of the United States, you will undoubtedly be one of the most watched people in the history of the world,” Tip writes. “So, I can’t help but ask in the midst of our nation’s calamity and discord: What do you want US to see?
Maybe I should take the time to share what many of US would like you to see,” he continues. “Should it ever at times seem as though WE are against YOU, I assure you it’s a result of YOU defining yourself as the representative for those who are and who always have been against US. The deck has always been stacked against US in this country. With every generation there has been strategic steps taken to oppress, imprison and control US. All we’ve ever wanted was equality and empathy as the historically disenfranchised citizens that we are, in a nation that we’ve contributed to just as much as anyone else who calls America their home.”
The rapper also posted his thoughts on Trump meeting with well-known names in the black community-like Kanye West, Ray Lewis, Steve Harvey and, most recently, Martin Luther King III- encouraging his fellow black celebrities not to take any meetings with Trump’s administration unless they have a strategy.
Photo Credit: Tip/Instagram
