Monday, October 15, 2007

Nothing soft about that

I often spend the precious pages of cyberville talking and pointing fingers at my folk and myself. It even pains me to do such. But this weekend in Atlanta, from Thursday until Saturday, I have been paid by stupidity once again. Not just because I hate how some folks promote nonsense, but also because the reality is that these folks are still my brothers and sisters.


This past weekend in Atlanta, BET hosted their annual hip-hop awards show. It wasn’t a troubled weekend with al the folks in tow but there were two events that caught m attention and the attention of the community as a whole. On Thursday night, it was alleged that J. T. Money (originally of the Poison Klan) was wanted for his possible role in a shooting at a Club in midtown called Opera. This event resulted in the death of a young man. I still can’t figure why a person who is going to a club, would take a gat. I mean it is not like one is expecting an old fashion meet me at sun down shot out.

The second occurred Saturday evening before he awards show. Atlanta’s own Clifford T.I. (T.I.P) Harris was arrested at a Walgreen’s parking lot at the corner of North and Piedmont Avenue. Not just a simple arrest but one involving two felonies including the possession of three unregistered machine guns and 2 silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. Now what gives here? According to eyewitnesses, the ATF and local police swarmed the parking lot, forced TIP and his folks to the ground and did their due. I am just troubled because back in the day, a brother would never purchase a silencer. Instead we used potatoes.

Now I love my guns too, and may or ma not have some of the weapons that he was charged with having – but I ain't no convicted felon. Is it the fame, or is it down right stupidity that brings the even to the fore? I cannot figure it out. With all that loot, you think that people could move beyond that type of dumb shit. Isn’t one machine gun enough? I guess now, like cars and watches, greed and big headedness makes folks, at least some figure they have to stunt and show out and front like they are what the are not. And say stupid, because according to reports, he bought the weapons from his body guard of seven months, who was a cooperating witness in an ATF who had been caught trying to purchase guns from a under cover federal agent a few days before.

If anything can come out of this it is a message documenting the importance of education. Young boys, education is the key, Books is the key, they allow you to see the world and learn about others as well as one’s own self. Ain’t nothing weak or soft about education, books and learning. We need to get of that dumb shit and value what is really our divine right – being free, sovereign and thinking beings, or else we will never learn and will only increase the populations of prisons. So pick up a book and take your education seriously, because that’s what’s really real, and ain’t nothing soft about that. Cause now Mr. Harris faces the serious possibility of serving Federal time and may have wasted an extremely prosperous career.

34 comments:

GurlNexxDoor said...

I just don't understand what they hell they were thinking.

Unknown said...

Just a waste of talent, time and our money.
What do you need all that ammo for? Isn't that why you have bodyguards. Gansta Rap is going too far.

Anonymous said...

This is what happens when folks like T.I. try to keep it "too real"... I hope the youth, particularly young men don't interepret this incident as "part of life", because they have a choice: to have intergrity, education, and most importantly "common sense..."

NYC

Anonymous said...

Correction I just read the affidavit and the bodyguard had only been employed since July.

http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/ajc/pdf/tidocuments/complaintaffidavit.pdf?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

He was just on Hip Hop vs America talking about he's done with the streets. I'm all for having a weapon(for protection) but 25 guns and you a felon. SMH! Looks like he's going to be doing hard time.

I get so sick of hearing young black boys saying when they grow up they either going to be a rapper or an athletic. What happen to wanting to be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.. It's like some of our youth is brainwashed thinking being a rapper or athletic is the only way to go.

the prisoner's wife said...

i JUST commented on something similar over @ another friend's blog about how in our communities, education isn't seen as cool. it is seen as a sucka's game. a punk thing...(and now my students, mostly male consider it "homo" *go figure).

being a middle school teacher has made me VERY aware of the music/images that we put out to our kids. i've always loved hip hop & will continue to do so, but i wish popular artists would spend a little more time discussing the importance of reading & education, and less time talking about rims, bitches, and ice.

you are right...ONE machine gun should be enough. who the hell knows why negroes gotta be military strapped(?). is the war out on our streets REALLY that deep?

ps-thanks for stopping by my blog.

coloredgirlswhohaveconsidered said...

"the reality is that these folks are still my brothers and sisters".

See right there, right there is what makes me wanna holla. Guilty or innocent it still doesn't stop the tears and the pain when you witness another young one caught up in their own hype to the point where all is lost.

mp1 said...

When I first heard about this story, I thought it was a joke. A rapper...exchanging guns for money in a store parking lot? He can't be that stupid. Can he?

I guess I give too much credit to some. He already has a felony. Why put himself in a compromising position? If you want to break the law, can't you concoct a better way to get around it. Guns in a parking lot?? It still bothers me!

How long before someone creates a Free T.I. shirt. I wonder how many idiots will rock it and not know about the idiocy that led to its creation

the joy said...

what is we gone do? TIP was doing so well! sigh...

meofbeauty said...

okay Dr. Stephens Ive been away for a while and Im trying to catch up.
First about T.I did you also hear that his wife/baby momma Tiny from Xcape was arrested for possession of marijuana and extasy? Any truth to that?

Second whats up with this unemployment situation? The House turned on you?

Third umm that independent contractor thing you blogged about..quit playing I may be in that market. You do have the genes and I know your kids are beautiful and well behaved. Seriously a sista is about to hit 30...dont tease me!

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

Gurl - wasn't thinking

Mis - ditto

NYC - keeping it realy stupid

souther gal - guesss im the last of that breed, i always wanted to write and be a scientist, thats y i got my phd, at least one reason

TPW _ keep up the good work, i know its hard in middle school and thanks for the love

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

colord girl - way things going we gone have our own trail of tears ....toward the jails

MP1 - I could not have stated it better

The Joy - hope it is a wake up call for folks like myself - balck men

sugadumpling - u makeme blush, House still acting lame and email me at braincellinc@gmail.com, maybe i can make a donation LOL

dc_speaks said...

a true misuse of time common sense energy and money.

it's like they think they are going to war. If they got that much beef with someone, they need a moderator.

WTF?!

Don said...

Real talk Torrance.

I knew the moment that I clicked on your site and saw the federal seal that you were going to touch on the TI situation.

I hate to see it go down like that - if that's how its going down. You could pretty much tell by the convo on BET that TI wasn't really feeling anything other than what he put down for himself in the streets. And you kinda felt like he would have to learn the hardest way. I guess that hip hop police talk is real. If the feds convict dude, it's over for him.

I hadn't heard of the JT Money shooting but if it's what it is ... I no longer see how anyone can not point fingers at gangsta rap. Of course crime did not arrive with the arrival of gangsta rap, and it definitely won't leave upon its dismissal, but let's be real here - ALL the rappers are dying and going to jail.

Fo' real.

Jazzy said...

I'm with Gurlnexxdoor...I don't get it either!

"I am just troubled because back in the day, a brother would never purchase a silencer. Instead we used potatoes."...that's some SERIOUS tmi there. :|

...they call me "L" said...

it's sad that some of us get our hands on a little money and begin to think we're untouchable. and i'm really diggin' what you speak about education...amen amen amen.

Lee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lee said...

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The Bee is out!

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

Don - they still looking for JT. Money

DC - think we can take up a colection of common sense and give it out to these folks

DIVA - my fault, just the facts and truth

Tha-1 - so true

Busy Bee - u are so welcome

Miss Snarky Pants said...

Well, there we have it folks...proof that NO AMOUNT OF MONEY can buy a person some common sense.

[shakin' my head]

Sha Boogie said...

As a single woman, that lives alone and sleeps with a butcher knife under her pillow (yes..yes..laugh it up) I am all for guns and bullets for PROTECTION. But, when stupidity and I'm sorry to say, male macho ego gets involved, guns are bad, mmmkay? See, T.I forgot one important fact - at the end of the day, he's still a nigga and the government is hard pressed to remind us every step of the way.

T. S. Snowden said...

My issue with T.I. is that like so many other rappers he didnt draw some lines and set up some boundaries regarding what stays and what goes of his old life and lifestyle. He used to carry a weapon back in the day, well he is no longer allowed by the law to do so and since his life aint the same his habits cant be the same. When these young men forget that money doesnt erase a record or more importantly your race you have to act accordingly. T.I. didnt do that and now he all caught up in some mess from a life he should have in large part separated himself from (the negative aspects anyway)
good post brother!

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