T.I. Says Lloyd’s Of London Responded To His Demand For Reparations
Tip “T.I.” Harrison had an update on his demand for reparations from UK insurance company Lloyd’s of London, which was involved in the transatlantic slave trade.
In June, amid protests over the police killing of Houston native George Floyd, the New York Times published a report of British companies contending with their racist history, with research unearthing that Simon Fraser, one of Lloyds of London founders, had owned hundreds of slaves up until the unsavory practice was abolished in 1883. Via a statement, Llloyd’s took accountability for the transgression and pledged to improve diversity among its ranks.
But, T.I. did not feel that was enough. In July, he published an open letter asking Lloyd’s to implement actual measures addressing reparations owed to the descendants of African slaves. He gave the insurance firm until fall to answer his proposal.Checking in with his 12.8 million Instagram followers from his koi pond on Tuesday (August 4), the Grand Hustle mogul relayed that the insurance firm actually reached out to him following his query.
“So, they did get with us. Right at the deadline. They got with us last Friday,” Tip began. He clarified he hasn’t yet to respond to them as he has been busy amid celebrations for his 10-year marriage anniversary to Tiny.
“Basically, they wrote me a letter acknowledging yet again that they were not proud of the part that they played in the transatlantic slave trade but also announcing again that they were putting their own strategies and systems in place to do what they felt necessary to rectify that,” he summarised of the latest develeopment.
Though he acknowledged their apology and response, T.I. was not satisfied.
He did not say whether or not Lloyds of London addressed the measures that he proposed in his open letter. But T.I. made it clear that he’s not going to drop the pursuit.
The rapper shared he will be sending Lloyd’s another letter “on behalf of the collective of descendants of American slaves.”
In late July, Tip penned an open letter to Lloyd’s of London calling for reparations after the insurance acknowledged its own involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. He stipulated that 10 percent ownership of Lloyd’s should be given to the descendants of African slaves and He also added that the firm should establish a $1 million cash loan available to every African-American adult once in their lifetime for the next 200 years,” stating ,”we have waited long enough and our community deserves real action and much more than empty apologies or platitudes.”
