Rapper TI spoke to Harlem Youth on Monday
“These kids know I lived the life … They know I’ve seen the likely outcome of their mistakes.”
“I know what it’s like,” he continued. “I’ve come into Harlem, I’ve spoken at schools before. These kids know I lived the life I’m now living. They know I’ve seen the likely outcome of their mistakes. I’ve caught cases, I’ve been to jail, I’ve had attempts on my life and I’m still standing. I’ve learned from it. I have the experience that living this life of crime — I know where they’re headed.”
“We don’t understand the pain that goes on with mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers,” he said about the victims of gun violence. “There are households being destroyed. You’re not just killing a man, you’re killing a family. But just like we can destroy, we can rebuild, and that’s what we’re here to do.”
The King of the South joined forces with the Reverend Al Sharpton and his National Action Network to speak out against gun violence following the tragic the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Corey Squire.
Immediately following the rally, T.I. participated in a peace walk, visiting the site where Squire’s life was cut short by a hail of bullets.
View video of the press conference here.
uuws
May 12, 2009
At last Al is speaking out against BonB violence which is the most destructive force in the black community. For way too long Al was silent on this gun violence. I only hope the is more than a photo opp for Al and these teen shootings become a real concern for Al.
D. Bell
May 12, 2009
As long as he continues to get publicly called out on it he has to address it. Besides it has reached near epidemic numbers here in Harlem especially during the summer months. Someone needs to speak on it.
Humme
May 12, 2009
It’s more than Lil’ Kim has been willing to do. She consistently flaunts her criminality at every turn.