I understand that I might be a little biased because I absolutely love T.I. but I think he has been a really positive role model for young people, showing that it's not about the mistakes you make it's how you handle them, how you grow and learn afterwards. I don't know if anyone has seen his show on MTV leading up to the actual sentence, "T.I.'s Road to Redemption" but it was amazing. Basically he would go around talking to at risk youth, dissuading them from joining or continuing affiliations with gangs or just people who don't mean them well. I'm not saying what he did wasn't wrong, obviously it was. Playing devil's advocate, what happens when people who have made past mistakes are still targets for whatever reason, how are they suppose to protect themselves. T.I. had a rough time as a teenager and young adult, paid his debt, and completely turned his life around. That doesn't mean that other people did the same. His best friend was murdered with a bullet intended for him, from a man who just wanted to hurt him. There has never been any indication that since his fame he has been involved in anything above reproach. Felons are not allowed to carry weapons which I do agree with, but, when released back into society they still need to feel as safe as every other American. What do you do when the lines are a little blurred like I believe them to be in this situation?
http://www.newsweek.com/id/191246/page/1
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Well I think this is an interesting point you are making in relation to the article and the situation. I am not exactly sure where I stand on the situation. I am a little convinced that he did that show just to make himself look a little better and to get less jail time that deserved for the crime.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I also see where you are coming from and feel for that position as well. It is true that people should be given second chances and should have the privilege of feeling as safe as any other American, etc. But the line does have to be drawn somewhere. If you release felons and let them back at square one, where is the justice in that?
This is a tough situation for me to really take a stance on, I am a little neutral because I can see both sides point of view and do not really feel more about one side over the other. But I think this is a good issue to be talked about, and I am interested to see what others have to say.
I disagree with some points that were made yet completely agree with others. First off, was TI not possessing some ridiculous guns that were simply not necessary in order to merely "protect" oneself? I heard it was quit excessive, especially for a convicted felon. Also, he has made his way out of a bad situation and he has the resources to remove himself completely from that. With that being said, I feel as though he should do anything to avoid a bad neighborhoods or the club where there may be a problem. I think this a better form of protection than carrying around guns.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Adriana that his show may have not been done had he not gotten in trouble. Still, it serves a good purpose and it was atleast nice to see him trying to redeem himself no matter the reasoning behind it.
Also, I do understand that people of his stature do quickly become targets. People that are still in the situation in which he was in early in his life see the fame and will do almost anything to take it from him. It's scary but I feel there are better ways to deal with it than carrying a gun when you know it is illegal...