TH: I’ve been on this planet as Terrence for 44 years. Since everything behaves according to octaves, nothing ever really dies. There’s a life and death and rebirth process continually. At the end of this, whatever it may be, I’m hoping I can leave something behind in the body of my work or in the legacy of the shadows that cool the ground behind me. Revenge is one of those things that’s killing our community, especially the urban community. I made a mistake many years ago and I made a comment about my brother’s album (Jamie Foxx) and I was completely in the wrong. I deserved to have my ass whooped that day because I had no business speaking against my brother. We do it everyday when we blog against someone. When the urban community comes together and begins lifting up one another instead of tearing each other down, especially you guys—you control it, then we’ll have a brand new society. Until then, we’re little dogs, biting at each other’s ankles and that’s deplorable. I’m ashamed at times how we speak against each other.
Was there ever a time in your life you got revenge on someone?
TH: I tried to exact revenge on my older brother once for taking one of my shirts when I was 16. In the process of that, I took one of his shirts and bleached it. I got to school that morning, my brother apologized for taking my shirt and in exchange for him taking it and wearing it before I wore it, he was going to give me his brand new shirt that I’d just bleached! I learned early the futility of revenge.
Have you taken a position on gun control?
TH: The fact that we’re still utilizing projectiles against our own brothers and sisters, my position is Terrence Howard’s position. A character’s position is different. You can’t take a gun out of one person’s hand without taking the guns out of everyone’s hands. Whoever has the power, will abuse it. I think until we evolve and can see one another for what and who we are, then guns are going to be necessary. There won’t be gun control until there are not any more guns. It’s not the gun that kills, but the person pulling the trigger.
