T.I. is no longer bitter about Donald Trump’s election win. Now he’s just trying to get “better.”
In an open letter posted on Rolling Stone, the Atlanta rapper asked the Oompa Loompa-elect about his plans for the injustice so many Americans face:
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.
T.I. went on to point out to Trump that he only won the race because he emboldened a population of the country that has been anti-black and racist for so long that of course it would rally behind a demagogue:
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 are, in a nation that we’ve contributed to just as much as anyone else who calls America their home.
Aside from his op-ed for Rolling Stone, T.I. also warned people against meeting with Trump and how being seen with him as part of a “Willie Lynch” mentality.
Something tells me Trump isn’t going to read T.I.’s letter. T.I. probably should have had Steve Harvey ghostwrite it.