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T.I. has been busy on Instagram over the last few days, posting his thoughts on two of the most newsworthy events at the moment: Ferguson, Missouri and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
Like many other artists, the rapper is putting his support behind the residents of Ferguson, who are faced with police brutality in the wake of Michael Brown’s death. He shares his views in two in-depth letters on the social networking site. He writes:
“Look at us….America has created a monster. The result of ignoring & mishandling an already fragile spirited, recently enslaved, presently oppressed race/generation of people. Look at us. We’re the monster that now refuses to be dismissed, overlooked,& ignored. We were brought to this place,unaware of our own cultures,religion,&traditions therefore,we created our own. Now look at us. For years we’ve been crying out for the nation to address the substandard education systems & disparaging treatment of our citizens in communities across America. Our people have had an increasing lack of opportunities for generations. There have been homes broken,lives shattered,and futures lost on your watch….unanswered. Look at us. How long can u expect a nation/race/generation of people to be blatantly disrespected? Spoken to and treated with arrogant tones of insignificance. Our fathers,uncles,brothers& role models were killed& Imprisoned more often than educated. Now look at us. Our friends,& relatives Murdered and cast aside without thought,as though your human life is more valuable than ours. How long can that go on without consequence? Now Look at us. How long can u continue to pass the buck & make excuses of why u can’t do today what should have been done yeste-year? Although I DO NOT support the negative responses & actions of my people in light of dis tragedy….I WILL NOT condone your lack of effort to show any urgency to improve the treatment of our people, nor the living conditions in our communities. Your refusal to address these life altering issues makes events such as these seem inevitable. Although I too am at fault to a degree & I admit that I may not have all da answers… I do have a fun fact for you. Insanity is…Going about things the same way,expecting a different result. U wanna different result? U must take different action. What else do u expect? Look at us!!!”
He also addresses the African-American community and calls out those who are joining in the looting and are not setting the right example. “I must admit that I TOO am disgusted wit America’s treatment,” he wrote as the caption to an Instagram photo of a young man who was in a store being looted. “I TOO demand change. But Goddddaaaaamn man…. Look at us!!!!! Although I too am at fault to a degree & I admit that I may not have all da answers… I do have a fun fact for you. Insanity is…Going about things the same way,expecting a different result. U wanna different result? U must take different action. What else do u expect? Look at us!!!”
On the flipside, Tip joined in on a good cause and took part in the ALS ice bucket challenge. Standing in front of Fatburger in Las Vegas, he nominated Will Smith, Jeezy, Will Ferrell, Nelly and his son, Domani, to follow suit before getting drenched with some freezing cold water. And to prove how frigid it was, T.I. shared a video showing all of the ice cubes that landed on the pavement in Sin City.
Watch T.I. Take Part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
