T.I.: Celebs Should Be Allowed to Speak Out Against Gays Without Being 'Shut Down'
In the new issue of Vibe, T.I. sounds off on the Tracy Morgan controversy, and suggests that it's un-American for gay people to speak out against those who criticize them:
Man, I will say this, the funniest joke I ever heard Tracy (Morgan) say during a stand-up was, ‘C’mon man, I think gay people are too sensitive. If you can take a dick, you can take a joke.’ [Cracks up laughing.] That shit was funny to me. And it’s kind of true.’
While T.I. makes clear that he supports anyone’s sexual preference, he then connects, in his opinion, a current oversensitivity among gay people with a consequential and ironic offense of the First Amendment. “They’re like,‘If you have an opinion against us, we’re gonna shut you down.’ ... That’s not American. If you’re gay you should have the right to be gay in peace, and if you’re against it you should have the right to be against it in peace.’
WHats a TI?
Posted by: Charley | Nov 25, 2011 10:44:11 PM
Why does anyone care what this man says? It makes no difference because he makes no difference. What does make a difference is for all of us to continually condemn the hatred in homophobic speech directed at our community that results in countless suicides and discrimination. Perhaps he can walk his talk in the heart of Mississippi or Alabama where" HE SHOULD KNOW HIS PLACE." Then let him preach to all of us about freedom and what it is like to be BLACK in the SOUTH. Wonder if he is ready to move to the "back of the bus" again. That's freedom Mr TI - just sayin.
Posted by: Stephen Pickard | Nov 25, 2011 10:52:13 PM
So sorry he's being oppressed, but isn't there an outstanding warrant somewhere? Oh well, just a matter of time.
Posted by: Kenneth H. | Nov 25, 2011 11:00:26 PM
I hate the racism here. Every single time a black person does or says something homophobic the comments relate that character flaw to the person's race. That's a phenomenon that I never see in the comment section of similar articles with a white perpetrator. Just saying.
The notion that black people shouldn't be homophobic is a problematic one. People in positions of relative privilege (in this case being heterosexual) don't see it. Just like many white gay people don't see their relative position of privilege(being white). The idea that one group over another should be more enlightened to a social issue involving a segment of society is stupid. The idea makes membership to a group mutually exclusive by denying how these issues overlap.
It's all about intersectionality. Read a book, people. Get enlightened.
Posted by: new-new | Nov 25, 2011 11:07:11 PM
We all need to care about what he says if he spreads gay hate speech -- which is exactly what this is. He is famous & he has a national platform to keep spreading this hate. It's even more ridiculous coming from someone black. Has he never felt the burn of hatred & racism? Ellen should be ashamed for allying herself w/this worthless lowlife.
Posted by: Swine | Nov 25, 2011 11:07:51 PM
It's not racist to criticize a black person's homophobia. Nor is it racist to criticize a white person's homophobia. In TI's case, we're criticizing the prejudice and the hypocrisy, not the skin color.
His skin color is relevant because it indicates a lack of understanding of the dangers of prejudice as applied to his own race.
Posted by: jason | Nov 25, 2011 11:11:26 PM
@jason
The problem in this assumption ones skin color would some how make them more sympathetic is that while it may sound logical to some, it Has no basis in reality. People are blind to their own privilege. Just like you and many others commenting here are blind to your racism.
Also, please stop trying to homogenize black people and the black experience. That's a sign of ignorance. We're all different people with different experiences. Kthnx.
Posted by: new-new | Nov 25, 2011 11:21:22 PM
T.I. = Tad Insensitive
Typically Ignorant
Totally Insignificant
Trite Imbecile
Posted by: johnny | Nov 25, 2011 11:57:17 PM
Tracy Morgan is not funny, period. That is what's offensive actually.
Posted by: John Ozed | Nov 26, 2011 12:00:13 AM
Yah and rednecks said the same thing when blacks complained about minstrel shows.
Posted by: topdawg | Nov 26, 2011 12:09:22 AM
Wow. T.I. really f@cked with those comments. I never knew he was a homophobic fool.
Hey, New-New, as a 31-year-old black male that happens to be gay, I say f@ck T.I. and other homophobic black people. White gay people have a right to speak about the hypocrisy of black heterosexual folks.
White gays are blinded by their white privilege, but f@ck T.I. right now. Some of the gays on this site are so upset that a black person in T.I.'s position could be so f@cking stupid and insane.
Posted by: J. Smith | Nov 26, 2011 12:10:59 AM
Oh snap this is gonna be a big deal. Guess he needs a big sales bump. He's gonna get it, because people are already comfortable enough in their homophobia. Can't wait to see all the people who already jump down gay people's throats in every gay issue, jump down our throats on this one.
Posted by: MKe | Nov 26, 2011 12:28:03 AM
I thought TI was a casino in Vegas
Posted by: Mike | Nov 26, 2011 12:33:26 AM
To all the white gay brothers and sisters that visit this site: racism and homophobia is all the same. In fact, homophobia might be worse than racism in my opinion.
That's why T.I. is blinded by his stupidity. As a heterosexual male, he does not seem to understand homophobia and the privilege of him being heterosexual in a world that oppresses gay people.
No disrespect, T.I. is no different than some of you on this site because you are blinded by white skin privilege too.
Again, racism and homophobia is the same. T.I. is blinded by his privilege of being a heterosexual man, and some of you are blinded by your privilege of being white.
Remember, racism and homophobia are all the same 'isms.' That is exactly why an individual such as T.I. would make such disgusting comments.
Now, hopefully you guys would tone down some of the racist comments because not all black people are the same.
Posted by: J. Smith | Nov 26, 2011 12:46:10 AM
One of my biggest pet peeves is people who use the First Amendment as a defense and don't even know what the First Amendment says.
The real problem is that the bullies know they are losing. Like all bullies, they are actually very weak. When we fight back they cry out that they are being oppressed (NOM and Maggie Gallagher are the biggest offenders.) That is complete. What are they are actually saying is that in the market of ideas they going out of business.
Posted by: Sol Muser | Nov 26, 2011 1:06:10 AM
T.I. must stand for Total Imbecile.
Posted by: Alex Sarmiento | Nov 26, 2011 1:22:58 AM
Is this supposed to be an important person? I guess to some, he would be worthy of listening to but I find his opinion of gay people irrelevant. He does seem to forget in the US Constitution he is still considered 3/5th of a person so he might want to refrain on trying to help discriminate against any group.
Posted by: Skooter McGoo | Nov 26, 2011 1:23:38 AM
If you’re against black people you should have the right to be against them in peace
Right, TI?
Posted by: Cassandra | Nov 26, 2011 1:48:16 AM
It's okay to say "Being gay is not right for me." ... It's okay to say "It's wrong to be gay AND Catholic, or gay AND Mormon."
You're free to choose. Churches are free to choose who they consider members.
But when you say "I'm against homosexuality" you go too far, you're telling other people to change just to please you.
You won't change who you are to please me.
Don't expect us to do what you won't.
Posted by: Jexer | Nov 26, 2011 3:06:27 AM
"Speaking Out Against Gays" is NOT the same as "being against it in peace". Keeping your lowlife, homophobic opinions to yourself is "being against it in peace".
And being against something that is NATURAL, something you can't change no matter how hard you try or want to, is beyond stupid. And utterly futile.
Pathetic moron.
Posted by: DeeperStill | Nov 26, 2011 3:07:50 AM
Mr. TI, you mean black celebs, right? I mean, God forbid we address the inherent homophobia in the black community, because that would be RACIST. How dare we say that blacks are intolerant! How dare we try to make things better for EVERYONE! I mean, I know that if you deserve personal freedoms, they are just given to you! No one's ever hadto fight for civil rights before. Thankfully, you understand that, so this little faggot will just shut up now.
Posted by: Alex | Nov 26, 2011 3:10:42 AM
The problem is that you can't live in peace when people are trying to take away your dignity, your civil rights and your children. You can't live in peace when being bullied. You can't live in peace when they're trying to take away your children and put them into care. Yiou can't live in peace when you can't go to a hotel and be assured that you can take a room with your partner of fifteen years (or three months, or the night).
Posted by: Steerpike | Nov 26, 2011 3:26:28 AM
@Jesse, please be breezy and have a seat somewhere.
You clearly don't understand institutional oppression. Oh, and the gross generalizations really aren't helping your point.
Posted by: new-new | Nov 26, 2011 3:33:38 AM
Most, if not all, state constitutions clarify that you do not have the right to use your speech to offend/degrade others or cause harm to come to others. Freedom of speech has limits and comes with responsibility. Using speech to incite hate or to demean others is abuse of that freedom that can have legal consequences.
Posted by: kelehe | Nov 26, 2011 5:56:03 AM
Rihanna is a known supporter of homophobic musicians.
Posted by: jason | Nov 26, 2011 7:53:57 AM