Read T.I.’s Candid Open Letter to Donald Trump
With one week to go before Donald Trump assumes the highest office in the land, rapper Tip “T.I.” Harris has shared an open letter to the president-elect with Rolling Stone to “take the time to share what many of US would like you to see.”
“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,” he writes. The rapper takes a more conciliatory tone later in the piece, writing, “I’m sharing with you some of the things that separate US in hopes of creating healthy dialogue that may hopefully unite US and mend a gaping wound that has gone unattended for generations.”
Read T.I.’s open letter below:
As I share my thoughts, I want to first say that it’s easy to allow one’s frustration and angst to lead to reckless and harmful rhetoric that can cause irreparable damage. With that said, I want to be responsible, honest and respectful, but in no way apologetic about the rage and resentment that many of US have been suppressing for far too long. In turn, I hope that we can be equally as honest about the prejudice, bias and narrow-mindedness that many of US have felt our nation has been disguising and denying for far too long.
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. So, I can’t help but ask in the midst of our nation’s calamity and discord: What do you want US to see?
“I’m now past bitter and on my way to better.”
Maybe I should take the time to share what many of US would like you to see. 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…