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FinalCall.com News
Entertainment News
Responsibility is a Lifestyle
By Jesse Muhammad
Staff Writer
Updated Apr 7, 2009 - 9:52:47 PM
Rapper T.I. joins forces with Houston officials and community groups
HOUSTON (FinalCall.com) - Whether on his MTV show Road To Redemption or speaking at schools across the country, Grammy award winning artist T.I. has been working to touch the hearts and minds of young people to show them that although everyone makes mistakes, we also have the power to learn from them in order to live more responsibly.
“I use to have to walk with guns, now I got to walk with God,” T.I., born Clifford Harris Jr., told the enthusiastic audience on the campus of Texas Southern University on March 14. “I am a firm believer that anything that doesn't kill me makes me a stronger person.”
T.I. was in town for one of his last scheduled tour stops just before appearing in a federal court on March 27, where he was sentenced to one year in prison for possesion of illegal weapons over a year and a half ago.
On Oct. 13, 2007 federal agents arrested T.I. after a sting operation resulted in him being caught attempting to purchase illegal firearms in an Atlanta parking lot. He was arrested just hours before he was scheduled to perform a few blocks away at the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards later that evening. One of his former bodyguards worked with federal agents to arrange the transaction between T.I. and the undercover agent which resulted in his arrest. He was subsequently released after posting a $3 million bail.
T.I.'s defense team worked out a plea deal with prosecutors, allowing the rapper to avoid the mandated prison sentence of 4 plus years. He was also ordered to complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of community service. Since then, the 28-year old businessman and actor has blazed a trail of activism with the goal of steering youth in the right direction.
According to AllHipHop.com, after being set free on bail he went on to visit 25 states making appearances at more than 260 events, speaking at 58 schools, 12 Boys and Girls Clubs, and nine churches.
Despite severe rain, hundreds attended the rally at TSU spearheaded by T.I.'s K.I.N.G. Foundation, PoliticalSwagger.com, the C.H.A.N.G.E. Initiative and Houston City Councilmember Jarvis Johnson. The theme “Responsibility is a Lifestyle” and “Give Back Your Gun Day” was used as a launching pad to encourage young people to turn in their weapons without penalty to local law enforcement at Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church and then get involved in the many volunteer opportunities presented at the rally to help build up their torn neighborhoods.
Programs such as The At-One Peace Keepers, led by ENOTA founder Dennis Muhammad, is galvanizing men at weekly meetings to scout out crime-ridden projects to make those areas free of violence, drugs and prostitution.
“We have done enough talking and speeches. It is time now that we put our talk to the test by going into these areas to work,” said Mr. Muhammad at the rally.
“Nobody grows up wanting to be a drug addict, dope dealer, or a dead beat. We all desire to be successful but we have to work for it,” said Council Member Johnson, a product of TSU. “I hope that you all take the information you have received today and put it to use.”
Music artist Radiant Amar also shared words before his performance.
“We have to take responsibility and be more responsible in our lives. The times are serious so we have to elevate the way we live and be the change.”
“The job is on us and we as youth have to make better choices,” said J. Xavier, a teenage music artist preparing to launch his national “Get On Tha Bus” tour which will focus on reaching thousands of his peers encouraging them to stamp out HIV/AIDS, reduce sexually transmitted diseases, stop teen violence, end teen pregnancy, and reduce alarming drop out rates.
“I honestly did not come out here to this event just to see a celebrity. I came out here because I lost my brother to violence recently and I'm tired of the madness,” said Shante Jennings of the Third Ward in Houston.
Dee Dee Murray, executive director of the K.I.N.G. Foundation, said, “We are so thankful to everyone who has come out to support this powerful cause that will not end today. T.I. has been working hard to motivate young people to make good decisions.”
Other guest speakers, sponsors and organizers included KBXX 97.9 FM, Jahaanah Productions, music artist Troublesum, TSU President John Rudley, Houston Crime Coalition, Dr. James Douglas, NOI Student Minister Robert Muhammad, Reverend D. Z. Cofield, Jeffrey Boney, activist Deric Muhammad, Attorney Sadiyah X, Reginald Gordon, Seville, Councilmember Ronald Green, Ben Mendez, rapper K-Rino, music producer Cory Mo, Michael Prince, Bun B, Keith Davis Jr., Rap-A-Lot Records, Swisha House Records, the Houston NAACP, Councilmember Wanda Adams, activist Quanell X, Shanea Spellers, Mobile Regime, and IN-CERT.
