Atlanta rap superstar Clifford Harris, more commonly known as T.I., T.I.P., the King or Rubber Band Man, is scheduled to go to the big house this March. Before putting on the bright orange jumper, he is reaching out to seven troubled youths in a new reality series, "The Road to Redemption."
Currently, he is the No. 1 artist in the country. He has topped several Billboard charts and is one of the most respected rappers.
He also has a bad streak with the authorities.
His most recent run-in left him with one year in prison, 1,000 hours of community service and an 11 p.m. curfew.
He was charged with possession of unregistered machine guns and obtaining firearms from a convicted felon.
When I heard about this concept and this show, I became a bit skeptical.
I began to wonder how someone who can't stay out of trouble is going to help others change their lives.
Then I watched the show and I changed my mind. Who better to show these kids around then someone who has been there?Most people with the charges that T.I. possesses would receive up to 30 years in prison.
Is the one year and 1,000 hours of community service reasonable?
According to senior business major Melissa Tubbs, this is very rational. "Because he is famous, his community service will have a larger effect on people. So, yeah, famous people might get away with more but at least he's doing something positive."
Senior political science major James Dodderer had somewhat of an opposing view. "The guy is a crook. He shouldn't receive any lesser punishment. He had enough weapons to open his own gun shop. The last time I checked, bodyguards work pretty well." t&c;
KATELIN DAVIS IS A SENIOR JOURNALISM AND PUBLIC RELATIONS MAJOR AND STAFF WRITER FOR THE T&C;
