The “all lives matter” rhetoric has done no one any favors, especially the celebrities who blurt it out in response to the country’s police-black civilian issues and other racial injustices. Most recently, Detroit Tigers star pitcher Justin Verlander and San Francisco 49er legend Jerry Rice both issued apologies after feigning ignorance for the controversial rebuttal to the Black Lives Matter movement.
And according to a one Mr. Clifford Harris a.k.a. T.I., his longtime nemesis Floyd Mayweather, owes one to the black community for a recent interview he conducted where he calmly repeated the phrase that was created after BLM began to gain some traction within political conversations.
If you recall back to Memorial Day Weekend 2014, Tip and Money Mayweather’s beef came to actual blows (at a Vegas FatBurger because, of course) and their issues haven’t been resolved since.
After soaking up Mayweather’s interview with The Boxing Voice, a visibly peeved, yet composed T.I. proceeded to educate the undefeated boxing champ on the dangers simply stating “all lives matter” can carry. Like so many before him, Mayweather subconsciously inserted an “only” in the Black Lives Matter quote where there previously wasn’t one.
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“Yo, @floydmayweather all our past personal differences & opinions of each other aside….,” Grand Hustle’s CEO wrote. “This is socially irresponsible, inconsiderate, & insensitive. It mirrors delusional oblivion in a way only brainwashing tactics can achieve. This completely undermines & discredits the movements that fight for the plights of our people. You’re a leader whether you know it or not. Don’t get so lost in personal possession or individual achievement that you lose sight of the things that are larger than all of us. Freedom, equality, justice, human rights,qualities of life that have been withheld (or given out sparingly) from our people for generations (400 yrs approximately). A true champion is a man of the people. A true champion makes sacrifices for the people & takes a stand against injustices for those who may not be strong enough or able to do so.
“A true champion is great inside as well as out. There’s a difference in “Greatness” & being “Great” at something. “Greatness” isn’t a measure of your abilities & accomplishments, “Greatness” is a measure of your morals,integrity & principles throughout life. Oppression knows no neutral ground. Either you’re the oppressed,or you’re the oppressor. What side would you like to believe you’re on? While some will try to make this more critical than I hope for it to seem…it must be said. The world is watching. I have an obligation to myself & those who follow me to address this. Just know I ain’t looking to clown you,I’m just trying to enlighten you,hoping that with better insight you can use your powers for good. Respectfully…-King #USorELSE”
As a self-proclaimed family man with several black sons, T.I. has been particularly keen on “staying woke” to the happenings of the nation and it has been reflected in his music. His recently released EP, Us or Else, was met with critical acclaim for not only being the most focused Tip has sounded on a sole project in years but raising social awareness within rap, which, where some of the principles the culture was founded on.
Watch Mayweather’s interview through T.I.’s Instagram lens down below.
