PARENT: T.I. IS NOT A GOOD ROLE MODEL FOR MY CHILD
Last month, rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris spoke to students at Woodland Middle School in Henry County on anti-bullying and not many parents were happy about his visit.
Tom Myers was surprised when his daughter came home and told him that T.I. had been the speaker at the assembly on anti bullying. Myers told 11Alive News that had he known T.I. was speaking, he would not have allowed his daughter to attend. So he wrote an e-mail to Woodland’s principal, Dr. Terry Oatts.
“The first e-mail I sent to him was to ask that from now on we have some kind of parental input whether or not a speaker is appropriate. If I don’t want my child to be there, just give me the right to opt them out,” Myers said.
Myers also wrote in the e-mail, “How about next time, let him mow the grass or pick up the trash around the school grounds? If the kids see that they might understand that what he did was wrong.”
In e-mails obtained by 11Alive News, Oatts replied in his e-mail, “I thought about asking a guy who snorted cocaine and got arrested for DUI when he was 30 to come and speak to our kids, but President George W. Bush was not available.” (Read More)
43 Comments to “PARENT: T.I. IS NOT A GOOD ROLE MODEL FOR MY CHILD”
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I’m on the fence about this. I don’t really think any of these rappers are great examples for our children; however, T.I. could’ve changed during his time in prison (hopefully he has), and the anti-bullying message is an appropriate one, so I don’t know.
Hopefully TIP will continue to be more positive in his life, especially for the sake of his own children. I hate the fact that celebs are role models, but it is what it is, and kids listen to them. It’s up to us parents to teach our children right from wrong, and hopefully they won’t follow the footsteps of the negative activities some of these rappers get involved in.
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I completely understand that the parents should have a right to know who comes to speak to their children. However, it is also the parent’s responsibility to teach children morals and values. T.I. was wrong in his actions, but has also paid (and is currently paying) the price for his actions. The father’s tone sounds more judgmental than anything else. I’m wondering if some other stars with less than desirable pasts (i.e. Brittney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, etc.) came to speak, would he see them as a problem as well. One of the most important things children can be taught in this life is TOLERANCE smh.
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I CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE THE PARENTS COMING FROM BUT T.I DID COMMUNITY WORK WAY BEFORE HE GOT INTO THAT BAD ALTERCATION WITH THE GUNS.THIS ISNT THE FIRST TIME HE DID THIS..I THINK SO MANY KIDS WOULD LISTEN TO CELEBRITIES MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE.THEY NEED TO SEE SOMEONE WHO HAS ALREADY EXPERIENCED A REALLY BAD MISTAKE.YES THE PARENTS DID HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT WHO WAS COMING TO TALK TO THE KIDS BUT HENRY COUNTY IS RACIST AS HELL….
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T.I. paid his debt to society by serving the time sentenced to him. Unfortunately, he will continue to be judged by some folks for the crime he did. Myself personally, never looked at any celeb as my role model, nor have my son looked at them as such. Instill in your children to look up to their close family and friends who they know well and are doing great things in their lives. It’s scary how this generation’s admiration is focused on famous music celebrities who flashes money, fancy cars, etc. on their videos instead of famous scientist, astronauts, etc. Regardless of the fact that some parents felt T.I. was the wrong person to speak on behalf of the bullying situation, he can draw the attention of many young people because he is so well liked, and I believe that was the principal’s main intention.
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Say that again, please! Excellent comment. It’s a beautiful thing when kids can look up to tangible people they know like parents, relatives, teachers, or even friends, and not some elusive celeb they will more likely never know.
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Hopefully, Mr. Meyers sat down with his child and discussed TI’s activites and explained to her, if she didn’t all ready know, that what he did was wrong, but he has paid his debt to society.
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What did TI say? Did he say beat up the bully or was it something positive.
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As much as he’s entitle to his own opinion am am Mr. Myers i think your child is going to adapt a huge…PRICK LIKE ATTITUDE from u. T.I. already served his time for his stupid mistakes including beinh away from his own children for so long. I want to cuss up Mr. Myers. My 2c
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why not have TI? he’s been through things, made mistakes and learned from said mistakes. he has kids of his own so he knows the importance of protecting them from harms way. i think its funny how these are the same parents that want rappers and ppl in hip hop to set better examples for kids, and when they try to do just that they complain. if you were a good parent you would be worried especially when he’s not sitting there telling these kids its okay to hurt each other. people do horrible things in the past but its is NOT impossible to change but how are they suppose to show that they know better when no one wants to give them a chance to thrive in their enlightenment? but hey each to their own if they’re upset nothing will change that, single minded people are the hardest to get to think openly.
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the comment that man
mad about T. I was’nt really needed.
I believe that , it wasnt that bad.
T. I has been through alot, and i believe
that kid’s should understand that
adults have up’s and down’s and
that is practical normally for
a huma being to make mistake.
TO BE A GROWN MAN – he should be ashame
OF HIM SELF. he should want his daughter to get a better understanding of life. People are very ungrateful.
On the other hand T. I you should of went to a high school , we’re kids are older and understandable , But then again . It LIFE.
everyone need’s to know the cause and effects of life. INCUDING MIDDLE & HIGH school student
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There’s no such thing as paying your debt to society. It will never be unpaid. Fortunately, Mr. Harris has money and is not like the 600,000 people released from incarceration who wear the scarlet letter and will be turned down from jobs, housing, credit, and other basic liberties for the rest of their lives. It annoys when when people who had made mistakes try to do good and still get flack. All I will say is that this affects me personally. I let a friend of mine use a stolen credit card at my register when I was 17 which has effected my life even still at 29. You name it, I’ve been turned down — jobs, apartments, volunteering (!). Even with 12 years of squeaky-clean behavior, 3 degrees, and professional memberships, I still feel the scorn. I felt it last week when I wanted to rent a condo when we go on vacation and was turned down. Yet, I own a house. I also felt it when I got a letter from the parole division telling me my application was denied and that they didn’t hire “criminals”. Go figure. *gets off soapbox*
Anyway, T.I. doesn’t and shouldn’t have to be a role model for anyone other than his children. If anything these parents should teach their kids about how your choices can affect you for the rest of your lives and how to not only strive for morality, but to also embrace those who have made mistakes and who are trying to make a turnaround. The school could have informed the parents with letters so they could decide whether their child should attend. However, what is a better person to tell you kids what *not* to do than someone who’s been there and paid the price? My opinion.
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@dmnqdv, thank you for this. Yeah, this opened my eyes to another point of view. I get it!
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Did you know the credit card was stolen or were you just in the middle of the situation?
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To be honest, I knew it wasn’t hers. We weren’t required to ask for ID when people used cards, but I saw the name on it, knew it wasn’t hers and didn’t say anything. I’m not denying that fact and I know what I did was wrong. However, she even admitted to the police that not only did she work at a store in another location and was robbing them blind by running credit card scams but that she specifically targeted me (an ex-classmate) and figured I’d do it because I was “naive”. I prefer the word “stupid”. Stupid cost me my life.
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T.I. served his time and he also had that show on MTV where he helped young people get their lives together. T.I. or any other rapper should not be a role model for your kids anyway, you the parent should be. I don’t see why it was a problem for T.I. to speak at the school.
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Okay I do agree with the guy saying that he should have an input on if his child should be allowed to attend an assembly, I have no problem with that. HOWEVER I do have a problem with him saying TI is not a good role model I feel just the opposite. TI admits that he has done alot of wrong things in his life and is now trying to stop kids from making the same mistakes that he has made, if that’s not a good role model than what is? Everyone makes mistakes, sure not everyone goes to jail over their mistakes but at least TI is taking responsibilty for his actioins. (And i’m not just saying this because I love TI either lol)
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Yea I do agree that T.I. shud hav went to a high school but on the other hand whether of what his pass maybe him tryin to do the right thing shudnt NEVER be a problem. Some rapper dnt giv a damn about children or what they do with they life. People need to stop pointing fingers at each other and take a look at themselves. I think ppl forget that there is NO sin badder than anohter sin is sin and it up to us to try to do the right thing so to me that’s what he is trying to do.
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Another thing just because the man got money doesn’t mean they pAid him to do this. If I’m not mistaking yu dnt get paid to do Community Service. Dang jus because someone is rich doesn’t mean they do everything for money. He could hav did this out the kidness of his heart.
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The parents should have a say in who gets to speak to their kids, and at least the option to not have their child participate. And i’m sorry, but he is right about T.I. His last arrest wasn’t his first; he’s a freaking seven time felon. I think we should move away from glorifying rappers and other celebs and try bringing in some doctors, attorneys, engineers, etc.
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“Bravo!”
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How bout we as parents be role models for our children and STOP leaving it up to celeb’s!
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That right there says it all.
I’m my 14yr old son’s role model.
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I understand the parent’s position on wanting to be notified. The topic of the speech is very pertinent nowadays though. I am appalled at the reply by the principal.
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The principal is probably a young fan of TI. Yes, there are some young men with doctorate degrees in education. I bet the parent will be at the next school board meeting complaining. The only people that TI should be a role model to is his own children.
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why did’nt dey just check wit da parent’s 1st?
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The principal’s comeback reply was hilarious.
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Yes, it was. Not exactly appropriate for a principal, but the point he was trying to drive home is that people can change. Really, who would have thunk it– a former alcoholic (this has been documented and is not a rip at our former President) would go on to lead our country.
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If your kids are looking at rappers and actors, actress, etc. to be their role models then you as parents are not doing your job at home, if you want to complain about who your kids role models are how about you step up to the plate as a parent first instead of letting them sit infront of the TV”s and video games so whatever. He turned his life around noone should judge him but god, I am sure alot of these parents have done dirt in their life as well.
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The thing is if T.I. would not have got caught would he still be doing the same thing,my answer is yes. He might have learn his lesson, but at the same time he really did not expierence prison life he was in protected custody he did even served the time they gave him he was gone for about 3 months. With him being a convited felon he is to really do 15 years in prison but since he has money he did just 3 months.No rapper is a good role,he’s in the same boat with wanye. Lil’wanye is not in protected cusdoy though.And he did marry one of he children’s mother.
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I AGREE…THESE RAPPERS SPEAK OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THEIR MOUTHS AND
I AM SO OVER ALL THE PRETENSE. THEY MAKE MILLIONS SELLING THE BAD
BOY IMAGE TO OUR PRECIOUS KIDS…..THEN DO SOME REALLY
IRRESPONSIBLE ACTS…..BLAME IT ON THEIR UPBRINGING….GET A SLAP
ON THEIR WRIST AND THEN TRY TO APPEAR LIKE A REFORMED PERSON IE.
LOVING DAD, COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTOR ECT. AND SO MANY OF US STUPID
PEOPLE BUY/BY INTO IT ALL.
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Yeah I’ve got to agree with the father Mr. Meyers. I don’t have anything personal against T.I. because besides liking two or three songs he’s done and the one he did with Mariah Carey, I don’t pay much attention to him. But I gotta agree he’s not a good role model, no rapper is in my opinion, and as for other celebrities, I think it’s okay for them to be secondary role models, after your mom, dad, aunts, uncles, cousins, who should be your heroes. Going to jail doesn’t wipe the slate clean, I wish people would get over thinking that it does when it doesn’t, that’s been noticeable forever. No one sees you in jail you have to show people that you’ve changed not just say it and like PlainMean stated this last serve in prison was his SEVENTH strike, so why wouldn’t this father be worried about this man talking to his daughter. Imagine that one celebrity or a few celebrities that YOU don’t like and think are the worst things ever, would you want them talking to your child, I’m sure you wouldn’t.
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Hmmm…rappers, singers and most of Hollywood are very poor examples for anybody’s child. But, perhaps the message resonated more with the students than the messenger. Parents need to undertsand that their kids WILL hear TI’s message whether they approve or not. The challenge is to make your message and life a stronger influence.
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I hear you Real Talk Spring Edition. Well said. Going to be looking out for those Summer and Fall editions–lol.
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Excellent comment.
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Parents don’t always make sensible choices for the people their children can hear speak. I thought it was absolutely stupid to give parents the choice in allowing their children to listen to the speech given by President Obama. I don’t remember any parents being asked if it was ok for any other president to speak to their children. The parents were ill informed and forcing the children to abide by their (mostly ill informed) feelings about the president. And just like one comment stated, they only made their children want to know what the president said even more. And many did get the message, if even through other friends.
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I think Lindsay Lohans father is so right, she will be dead before she is 30. He really should save the younger daughter.
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I’m from Henry County, Ga where the majority is White. Most of them do not care to have a black rapper speaking to their children about anything. T.I. did his time and he has been known across Georgia (even before his ordeal) for this community involvement. Me personally, I think the Principal’s response was Classic! Good for him….you have to live here to understand!
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I wouldn’t want a man spitting out babies, not married, going to jail and rapping about nothing talking to my kids either.
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I’m torn on this subject. On one hand, I agree with that parents should have had the opportunity to opt their children out of the seminar, regardless of who the speaker (celebrity or otherwise) was. At the same time, if I was judged by my criminal record alone–which would lead anyone to believe i was a drug addicted methamphetamine dealer–I would never have been hired for the excellent job I have, much less a janitor position at McDonald’s. All I can say is that situations are not always as they appear and though I can’t speak for T.I., he has paid his debt to society. Sometimes the best guidance can come from those who have erred but proved they’ve learned from their mistakes.
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I agree that Mr. Myers should not judge T.I. so harshly.Whether you have been in prison or not,everybody makes mistakes.We all have flaws.The important thing is that you learn from your mistakes,and make better choices in the future.Parents and teachers are the strongest influence in a child’s life.Unfortunately,some parents are not as involved and attentive as they used to be,and they are not disciplining and supervising their kids like they used to.Also,some teachers are abusing their authority and doing inappropriate things to the students.So kids today have a hard time trusting and believing in the adults they spend the most time with.Therefore they look up to these recording artists,athletes,actors,actresses,and such.
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why would someone else be a role model for your child anyway.
I think this crap about some actor/actress/singer being someone
“role model ” is so weird. you are your childrens role model.
if the media feels and kids who watch rap videos feel these people
are their role model. where are the parents?? I watched his road to redemption and it was positive and humbling to him it was very apparent.. he is the only one that will have to play with the demons in his head.
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