Clifford…Why, Baby, Why?

I’m about ready to give up on Hip-hop…I’m almost tired of defending these brothers at every turn…tired of staying true to something that is not staying true to me. Why in the world can’t these brothers (and sisters, let’s keep it real) let go of this gangster mentality and take full advantage of the gift that has been given to them? Being able to put your poetry to words and make money off of it is a gift; being able to move from the ‘hood to the ‘burbs and be successful is a gift; being able to move from the game into movies and other successful ventures is a gift.

This situation with Clifford “Tip” Harris, aka T.I., is breaking my heart. Maybe because I was beginning to believe that he was going to make it; that he was going to be one of the ones who left his gangster image to wax and no longer needed to live it in reality. But apparently, I was wrong. In case you don’t know the story, here it is in a nutshell: Shortly before the BET Hip-Hop Awards were taped Saturday, October 13th, T.I. was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia and charged with two felonies—possession of three unregistered machine guns and two silencers, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. The story is T.I. was attempting to purchase the guns for himself from a “cooperating witness” (in other words, he was set up), and because he has already been in jail on felony charges, this here is illegal and he knew it was illegal. Because he has violated his probation (many times), it is likely he will serve some time in jail as a result of these charges.

I was speechless when the news began to roll in; all I could do was shake my head in disbelief. T.I. was one of the ones I had begun to believe in; one of the ones who I had listed on my favorites list; one of the ones who I thought was positively turning his life into something good. He is heavily involved in the community and gives back; he is no great actor but you must have something to land a role opposite Denzel, you feel me? But he just can’t keep the law off his ass. I honestly believe that is a choice. He has too much going for him not to choose the right path. Sometimes you have to say no…he chose to say yes. Why did he need guns, with silencers for crying out loud? The man has bodyguards (in fact, it was his bodyguard who was the “cooperating witness”…the snitch)…I’m sure he maintains a high level of security at his home…you can’t just leave the hood and not expect some backlash from the haters. But why do you need to buy guns yourself? Get somebody else to do it, if you feel like you need to have them. This shit is just stupid to me.

I fear that his will be just another wasted talent. Just another brother who is going to spend his days, rotting in jail, thinking about who he could have been. Maybe he can pray and converse with Tupac’s ghost and learn some lessons just in time to save himself from involvement in any further craziness…Lord knows, Tupac knows…

It’s all love, baby… 

© 2007. Marva Allen-Fowler. All Rights Reserved.