
This unfortunate occurrence also comes days after the couple's July nuptials. T.I.'s repeated run in with the law -- just five months after his release from prison -- is beyond disappointing. However, his wife Tiny's involvement appears to be the most unfortunate aspect of the situation. As if she hasn't already, Tiny proves once again she is the poster child for the term 'Ride-or-Die Chick.'
The former 'Xscape' member has been with Harris through it all. When T.I first started his career and she had to stand in the background, she rode it out. When he became a megastar and she had to deal with 'groupie' rumors, she rode it out. Bearing child after child and still being known as the 'longtime girlfriend,' indeed she rode that out too. It was Tiny who was in the car when T.I got caught with possessing guns and it was Tiny who did the bid with her man when he was locked up.
But in the end what's in it for Tiny? Yes, it's commendable that she's been able to work things out in her relationship and has stuck by her man, but for what? Ride-or-die chicks are known for doing absolutely anything for their men, where the operative word 'anything' is not an exaggeration. These are the types of women that would kill, steal, lie, cook, clean, sleep with -- and if necessary like Tiny -- go to jail for their man. In fact, proving how much she will do and how unafraid she is to do it becomes the ultimate measure and testament of her love for her partner.
On the second season of her BET reality series, 'Tiny and Toya', Tiny revealed that although she would love to revisit her singing her career, T.I hasn't been supportive about the idea, which begs the question: At what point does being labeled a ride-or-die chick become overrated?
Real Love
Actor Djimon Hounsou and Kimora Lee Simmons arrive at the "Inception" Los Angeles Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on July 13, 2010 in Hollywood, California.
John Legend and Christine Teigen pose for photographers during the Capitol Magazine cover party at Cafe Dupont on August 18, 2010 in Washington, DC.
Actor Terry Crews and wife Rebecca Crews attends the premiere Of Warner Bros. "Lottery Ticket" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on August 12, 2010 in Hollywood, California.
TV personality Khloe Kardashian and NBA player Lamar Odom arrive at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards at Gibson Amphitheatre on August 8, 2010 in Universal City, California.
Tameka 'Tiny' Cottle and T.I visited the AXE Lounge in Southampton on Friday to announce that he is performing a secret show to kick off the "AXE Music One Night Only" concert series in Manhattan on Monday night on August 13, 2010 in Southampton, New York.
Rick Fox and Eliza Dushku arrive at the 9th Annual InStyle Summer Soiree on August 12, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.
Producers Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith attend a "The Karate Kid" press conference at The Ritz Carlton Tokyo on August 5, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open in Japan on August 14.
Recording artist John Legend (R) and Christine Teigen attend the Intermix Summer Rooftop concert at Skylight West on August 4, 2010 in New York City.
Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian attend Power Balance Goes "All-In For A Cure" at Drai's Hollywood on August 3, 2010 in Hollywood, California.
Actor Terry Crews and Rebecca Crews attend "The Expendables" Los Angeles Premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on August 3, 2010 in Hollywood, California.
Depending what circles you grew up in, not all woman are willing to ride or understand why they should have to. To put things in perspective, not all instances of riding or dying are as extreme as shooting someone up or taking the heat for the man you love. Sometimes it may be relocating to your man's new job, or giving your man your last dollar so he's able to make moves. Whatever side of the spectrum you are on, for unmarried women in particular, there should be a limitation of how far you will go and tolerance on how much you will take before you choose to ride off.
Yes, it is true most men consider a female that would be able to go along for the ride, no matter how bumpy it is, as a woman to be sought out and cherished. It's understandable for a man to want someone on his team that has his back, but women have to ask themselves at what cost and men need to ask themselves if they would they do the same. If not , then it isn't balanced, it isn't fair, and the person doing all the riding is somewhat being taken advantage of and it might be in need of walking away.
In the Harris' case, Tiny stuck it out and T.I put a ring on it and she probably thought they would live happily ever after. However, this latest incident shows that in marriage the act of 'riding' doesn't stop. If that was what the relationship was, then it's what the relationship is destined to be. Marriage doesn't magically change B.S. Many women fail to realize that wearing a badge of honor that says you stuck by your man through cheating, jail, financial woes, disrespect, public humiliation, and selfishness makes you look more foolish than admirable. And, that the second part of the term (the "die" part) may not always be literal, but being a 'ride-or-die' chick without limitations will, at the least, kill your spirit.
Follow writer Shirea L. Carroll on Twitter @InviteOnly



Comments: (73)
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By: flamethrower on 9/02/2010 3:18PM
Here's my take on this:
1st off,we're not preve to the conversations that people have when they're in the bed late in the night. Although T.I been getting caught up in some crazy s@#$ lately, u gotta remember, both of them are from the street level of life, who made it big. who's to say that Tiny didn't battle him? If she's anything like she portray's on tv,trust me she f@#$%ed TI up along the way,believe me, she sucker punched him probably more than one time lol.
but there is more there than just a love thang. they are true friends, 'cause a true friend will always tell u when u're wrong &smack the bs outta u when u step too far to the left on us.TI knew he had a gem the 1st time they fought,cause she proved she ain't taking S@#$ from him, all the while allowing him to do him as long as he knows where home is.She's a grown woman and knows he's a grown man & he gonna do what he wanna do. who knows? she probably left him more than 1 time.& after realizing how quiet & lonely life is with out his family, he knew he needed &loved her. how do I know this? he went to jail 'cause someone threatened his family & he risked everything to protect them.He may have went about it the wrong way but as he told the judge when asked why, he said
it was my family, and nobody is gonna harm them while I'm alive,what would you have done your honor if you were in my place?
that's why he didn't get as much time that he could have gotten for the type of guns he had,let alone the amount (He was prepared for war).Time changes everything & I guess he realized life is too short & the kids are getting older. so istead of being a hammer of devilish things,he's becoming a lighting rod of honor &adult thinking, I mean a man in the making. either way they are gonna be good together for a while. as for the smell of pot in the car, yo if they weren't driving, stop tripping. if they were then give them a citation and leave it at that
on a personal note IAM AN OFFICAL T I FAN!! I LOVE U TINY & AM NOT NOR EVER THINK I COULDTAKE CLIFF FROM U OR YOUR FAMILY WOULDN'T WANT TO IF I COULD,LIKE THE BROTHER AND YOU TOGETHER TOOMUCH &AM ROTTING FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP. BUT AS FOR T I ?
ON SITE BABY LOL LOL GOTTA BIG TRUNK FOR YOUR A@# LOL.But, for real though, leave them alone, they're gonna be alright trust me :) luv ya Tiny stay strong
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By: TINA on 9/02/2010 8:22PM
Wow, you make TI sound like he is some kind of Saint. This guy is dumb and Tiny just proved she is just as dumb. That dude doesn't even support her career ambitions and he is the reason she won't be on the reality show with Toya. I like TI but you got to call a spade a spade. This brother just got out of jail and basically has no excuse that should be good enough for anyone to explain why he is riding around in his car doing drugs. Tiny dumb ass was probably getting high too. Anybody with common sense shouldn't want to be riding around with someone doing drugs knowing the chance you are taking unless your ass is getting high too. Sorry but no sympathy from me! Neither one of them was looking out for their family this time!!!
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By: vdog on 9/03/2010 9:03AM
DEY LOVE DEM THUGZ!!!!!
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By: H8tinH8ters on 9/03/2010 1:37PM
It's VERY hard for me to H8 on these two... Cause whatever they are doin they MUST BE doin it right! At the end of the day, they are BOTH millionaires and all of us are NOT!!!!
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By: Charles on 9/03/2010 4:47PM
are you expecting an answer? get real, you was making some sense until.....
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By: Mimi on 9/03/2010 8:10PM
Just because someone is a millionaire doesn't mean they are not susceptible to ridicule/being perfect.
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By: Natalie on 9/04/2010 7:34AM
I feel you flamethrower. I love the both of them also. But I feel that they are selfish. When will at least one of them think about the kids? Its only about them. Tiny is the older of the two she should know better! And the ride or die chick goes out the window when T I put her in this situation. Her being a mother should have said no TI lets wait til we get to the hotel room or something to that affect. Someone needs to be the grown up here. I think TI only thinks about his family when it benefits him. Now don't get me wrong, I love the both of them but I'm gonna need ONE OF THEM to grow the heck up!!!
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By: Deanna Jameson on 9/02/2010 4:51PM
Great piece Shirea! There's a difference between being a "ride or die" chick vs supporting your man. I'm not "riding or dying" for anyone but God. Supporting your man is being able to uplift him when he's right and checking him when he's wrong.
Tiny better wake up and realize that this man DOES NOT have her best interest at heart. If he really loved her, he would be just as supportive her and her career ambitions as she is of his.
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By: angelina nelson on 9/02/2010 11:01PM
The people are loosing their moral while becoming modern. The
society needs to be attentive that moral value.
angelina
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Cheap Cars
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By: poetrysez on 9/03/2010 1:38AM
In my opinion Tiny's no ride or die chick. At least her motives aren't what folks think they are. Tiny invested way too much time and energy(including several children )with this guy to let some other woman be on his arm. She was with him when people were saying " T.I who".
In the early mornings and late nights T.I probably says he's going out for a while, Tiny says "uh uh...not without me you're not". Her hoovering over him is a way of guarding her investment.
The only way she will leave T.I, if he loose everything. Arse out and back to selling drugs on the street and he wounds up being his biggest client.
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