This section requires Flash Player (version 9). You can download the Flash player here

Celeb Blogs >> more Celeb Blogs

T.I.: The Farewell Blog

Posted by: TI 5/10/2009 | 13,111 Views

COMMENTS

In a few weeks, I will begin a one-year prison sentence for being in the possession of illegal firearms. Where I come from, having a gun is just part of everyday life. But, through this painful process of going to court and being convicted, I realized that I had to make a change. I made some bad decisions. I broke the law and will accept my punishment. With deep reflection about where my life was headed, I have begun the process of redemption, and decided that before I go to prison, I want to speak to young people about responsibility as a lifestyle. I hope that through my mistakes, young people can begin to learn, as I did, that we have to put our guns down and start to give our guns back. It pains me inside to hear about so many of our people dying because of gun violence. Just in the past weeks, a 13-year old boy was shot in the head in Harlem, a 17 and 19-year old were murdered in a double homicide in Queens and a 15 year old was chased, beaten, shot and burned in Chicago.

We will gather today in Harlem, with many mentors and supporters by my side, including Rev. Al Sharpton, Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, Political Swagger, Mobile Regime and the C.H.A.N.G.E. Initiative to share the message that now is the time. Now is the time to speak out against gun violence. Now is the time to take responsibility for our actions. Now is the time to make our communities safer. Now is the time to support good legislation, like the S.N.U.G. bill in NY. Now is the time to give back our guns. Now is the time for me to lead by example.

We can and we will do better.

-T.I.

For more information on the “Responsibility is a Lifestyle: It’s Time to Bury Da Beef” visit: www.TheKINGFoundation.com or text KING to 878787

TAGS -

none

62 comments

Extremely powerful blog T.I. Thanks for taking the lead on this issue. When will we realize that we can have a much better world if we stop with the nonsense that we need to carry guns. I respect you even more today!

The Connector 5/11/2009 | reply
0
I'll never give up my right to bear arms! I'll never own a gun illegally but I ain't puttin' down sh*t! "All I got is my 9, and to calm the savage beast is the Alpine"

Wordy Durden 5/10/2009 | reply
0
Here is the Federal Sentencing Guideline Manual for firearms:
http://www.ussc.gov/2008guid/2k2_1.htm

T.I is at a level 36 with silencers, armor piercing bullets and automatic weapons.

Level 36 for a FIRST TIME OFFENDER would be from 188 to 235 MONTHS. THAT
IS TWENTY YEARS PEOPLE. MANDATORY. IF HE WANTS TO DO SOMETHING
POSITIVE HAVE HIM SPEAK OUT ABOUT THESE INHUMAN SENTENCING GUIDELINES
THAT KEEP POOR YOUNG FIRST TIME OFFENDERS IN JAIL FOR LIFE. HE IS A PIECE OF
GARBAGE THAT PROMOTED A "THUG" LIFESTYLE UNTIL THAT LIFESTYLE AFFECTED HIM
IN A NEGATIVE WAY. IF YOU CAN DO THE CRIME, YOU BETTER DO THE TIME. THE
3 MILLION PEOPLE THAT ARE INCARCERATED IN AMERICA FOR MANDATORY MINIMUM
SENTENCES ARE BRAVER THAN THIS COWARDS ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. IT IS SO SAD
THAT ANYONE WOULD EVER CITE THIS GARBAGE AS A ROLE MODEL.

james 5/10/2009 | reply
1
- Interesting Comment Towards T.I.
  
  People don't make Laws, Our State Government pass Laws. You know alot about sentencing and you have a point, equal application of the law across all states would be wonderful, however it is not so and we must knock down one thing at a time. Don't judge walking in someone else shoes, but walk in your own.
  
  Spreading hatred does not help anyone, obviously you have a loved one or close someone affected by maximum guidelines and I can understand your negative comments. I know someone serving life for self defense murder in Iowa. In the state they were born it would not have been Mandotory Life, so he got burned by Iowa Law.
  
  I hope that you James decide to make a change toward positive energy and contact your local Senators and Congressman to bring your thoughts to light.
  
  Mrs. Rodgers 5/10/2009 | reply
  0
- I do not hate or judge anyone; Mr. T.I. put himself forth as a "Thug" and promoted this lifestyle until that lifestyle affected him in a negative way. The damage he has already done can not go away by doing a reality show. All this shows young children is that "You can have whatever you like" and do whatever you want if you have enough money. Is that what you want to teach your children? It is so sad that in this society, (which is promoted by this website, every record company, BET, MTV etc) we applaud some one that should be punished much worse than some one of little or no means. T.I didn't buy these weapons when he was poor; he always already wealthy and famous. He did this out of hubris, without any regard for the law. You state "we must knock down one thing at a time" yet T.I didn't knock down anything; he reinforced the notion that if you have money, fame, power, "You can have whatever you like"..
  
  james 5/11/2009 | reply
  0
- I agree with you 100%. I'm glad that TI has changed and is now trying to change the life of many other people! Granted, he has money but what about ALL The OTHER people that are receiving UNJUST sentences?? It is not fair. My friend is doing a 15 year minimum mandatory because he was involved in a conspiracy and it involved a gun (which he didn't even have by the way, it was his BROTHER that had the gun) and now he has to pay for his brother having a gun just cause he KNEW about it!?! How is that fair??? But TI has money and gets to get away with SILENCERS and MANY GUNS with only a 1 year sentence! Come on TI... you wanna help me? How bout you give my man your lawyer so he can come home to his 2 small children and continue to live their life!?!? I'm sure his family would love for him to come home in 1 year like you!!
  
  Talk about fair?? A FEDERAL MINIMUM MANDATORY should be the same for everyone...unless you got a 5K1 or a Rule 35 for snitchin on someone....other than that...its MINIMUM MANDATORY..self explanatory!
  
  Don't get me wrong I LOVE TI..but it's the exception that I am trying to understand! Why make an exception for TI?? Cause he's rich?? Popular?? A Celeb?? What is it?? I'm glad you got away with only 1 year TI...but how many other people are in there for all those years and they really aren't even at fault??
  
  I would LOVE a response please!!
  
  Outraged 5/11/2009 | reply
  0
TI...as a mother I admire you for making a change. My children(a son 19 and a daughter 14) admire you for acing your mistakes. We watch road to redemtion together. our prayers are with you while you face this testing times. Stay strong and come out to help this younger generation see what a wonderful soul you truely are.

5/10/2009 | reply
0
Rappers like T.I. are actually natural born leaders. This is a good example of how to use God's blessing of influence for the good of others instead of just making money.

hakeem 5/10/2009 | reply
0
I do have to agree with Gary that anyone else in the hood would’ve been nailed to the cross… But it wouldn’t have been a five year sentence… it would’ve been more like ten… However, we need more celebrities to take a strong stand such as the one T.I. is taking now against gun violence… In the last three months I personally know about three teenagers being gunned down and murdered in their neighborhoods with “zero” news coverage… It’s funny how we’re only dying if the media shows up… It doesn’t matter to me why T.I’s had a change of heart… Just that he continues to write rhymes that make the youth think about their futures. Enough is truly enough and we all need to get involved… Which is why I’m in the South Bronx every Wednesday and Thursday night working directly with the youth trying to educate their minds and un-brainwash them… If you’re not doing the same… You’re just taking up space in this world!

Peace & Love,

Ivan Sanchez,

Author of “Next Stop: Growing up Wild-Style in the Bronx”

IvanSanchez 5/10/2009 | reply
0
With all the negativity directed at T.I., and the accusations of snitching it seems that it is unacceptable to mature in hip hop. Yes i believe T.I. got a better sentence than most would but relaize that most are NOT T.I. to ALL that say he's snitchin grow up and stop hatin

Endsley 5/10/2009 | reply
0
Whether or not he wrote this, it's important that he is setting the example he is, AS the role model he is. It doesn't matter what KIND of gun problem is going on in the hood- because no matter what- its a problem. Let's try to fix that problem and not make excuses for it, or down-talk people that are DOING SOMETHING. unlike yourself.

HipHopGodess 5/10/2009 | reply
0
You know what. Everyone needs a chance who knows if he wrote it or not. Lets keep him in our prays and hope that this whole process is an eye opener for him as well as so many of our young kids now a days who think guns are the answer. I dont care who wrote it lets just get the point across. God uses our circumstance to wake us up, and teach someone else after we have learned our lesson. We are focused on his sentence and how unfair they think it is lets see how much of an impact his voice has made since this incident. Wake up People

meka 5/10/2009 | reply
0
O.k...Everyone has in them the ability to change...Don't knock him down anymore..let's try to build ourselves and others up!! So what talking to Children(kids are baby goats), got him a lesser sentence, the point is he took the opportunity to turn someone's life around and not too many people can say that they have helped a child going down the wrong path change their life around...It's too much hate in the world already..Let's just give love...How many children's lives have you changed or prevented form being lost??

KEma 5/10/2009 | reply
0
- We don't have to build T.I. up, he does that just fine on his own. He spends millions on legal defense and professional publicity companies. It is obvious to anyone who views this incident objectively that this man is guilty of a crime, he does not want this to negatively impact his precious career so he helps a kid or two... He does not help them in private but put his "charity" and good deeds on display for all the world to see. Hhhhhmmmmm wonder why????? Does anyone honestly believe TI cares about those kids. Only a fool would fall for such asinine trickery. TI care about one thing only...HIMSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  Gdub 5/11/2009 | reply
  0
Just in the past weeks? LMAO! T.I. DID NOT write this. What a joke. In the hood if might be an everyday thing to have a 9mm, but machine guns with Silencers? COME ONE PEOPLE! Talking to the kids is what got his the 1 year deal. And, who know what else he had to "talk about" to get it. Anyone else would have a mandatory 5 year sentence!

Gary 5/10/2009 | reply
0