Recap and Cyber-Assignment
Thursday in class we listened to the Tupac Shakur song: Keep Ya Head Up. Homework is to write a 250 word summary of the key ideas or themes in the song.
1. Talk about the characters or subjects Tupac uses to illustrate his point. What is the song about? Is it about single parenting or more than that?
2. Use citations or examples from the song to prove or support your points. Remember, all ideas are good, but they need to reference the text.
3. Use Standard English. If you use slang, it needs to be from the song and in quotation marks. Put a line or stanza notation in parentheses after the citation or quote, such as: 2:15 (stanza 2, line 15).
4. Respond to at least 1 classmate by name after you have posted your response. It is a separate comment.
Buy your books or rent them or check them out from the public library. all the books are in the college bookstore. You need Pidd now and the other books: Dyson and Shakur by Monday at the latest. If you have Shakur now bring it to class, along with Pidd.
I gave students a copy of the introduction and preface from Dyson. Read the two chapters and annotate it. If you have questions, put them in your notes for the chapter. Also keep a vocabulary log-chapter by chapter for all the books.
In Pidd
We start with the section Plagiarism and Paraphrasing (339-379). We already completed the MLA review (315-317), Quiz (319-320) and (321-331). We'll go over the works cited section Monday.
While we work through Pidd, hopefully an essay a week, we will be reading Dyson. Week 2-4 we will start Chapters 1-3 (1-51), Pidd: Confused Words, Sentence Punctuation, and Pronoun Agreement and Sentence Punctuation. I will give you an assignment sheet with dates for the readings and Pidd, to make keeping up clearer.
Thursday in class we listened to the Tupac Shakur song: Keep Ya Head Up. Homework is to write a 250 word summary of the key ideas or themes in the song.
1. Talk about the characters or subjects Tupac uses to illustrate his point. What is the song about? Is it about single parenting or more than that?
2. Use citations or examples from the song to prove or support your points. Remember, all ideas are good, but they need to reference the text.
3. Use Standard English. If you use slang, it needs to be from the song and in quotation marks. Put a line or stanza notation in parentheses after the citation or quote, such as: 2:15 (stanza 2, line 15).
4. Respond to at least 1 classmate by name after you have posted your response. It is a separate comment.
Buy your books or rent them or check them out from the public library. all the books are in the college bookstore. You need Pidd now and the other books: Dyson and Shakur by Monday at the latest. If you have Shakur now bring it to class, along with Pidd.
I gave students a copy of the introduction and preface from Dyson. Read the two chapters and annotate it. If you have questions, put them in your notes for the chapter. Also keep a vocabulary log-chapter by chapter for all the books.
In Pidd
We start with the section Plagiarism and Paraphrasing (339-379). We already completed the MLA review (315-317), Quiz (319-320) and (321-331). We'll go over the works cited section Monday.
While we work through Pidd, hopefully an essay a week, we will be reading Dyson. Week 2-4 we will start Chapters 1-3 (1-51), Pidd: Confused Words, Sentence Punctuation, and Pronoun Agreement and Sentence Punctuation. I will give you an assignment sheet with dates for the readings and Pidd, to make keeping up clearer.
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 12:39 PM
30 Comments:
Jennifer Coon
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
28 August 2011
Response to Tupac's song:
In Tupac Shakur's song "Keep Ya Head Up" he discusses the struggles of not only young black youth but poor black culture in America. He doesnt understand why men treat women the way they do. How men steal from women and how they rape women. "And since we all came from a woman Got our name from a woman and our game from a woman I wonder why we take from our women Why we rape our women, do we hate our women?"(1:18-22). He also talks about drugs, death, crime and poverty in the hood. He feels that it's almost impossible to live, but we need to keep trying , keep pushing. Example: "We ain't meant to survive cause it's a setup And even though you're fed up huh, ya gotta keep your head up."(2:31-33)
Stephanie Kiick
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11:00 am-11:50 am
28 August 2011
Response to Sakur's “Keep ya Head up”
In Tupak Shakur's song “Keep Ya Head Up” he narrates the struggles of the impoverished communities and lifestyles. Tupac Shakur explains in the song that through the classicism, misogyny, death, drugs and sorrow, keeping ones head up is not the only choice but has the only chance. He emphasizes on the disrespect of women and the single parenting in society. Shakur states that “And in the end it seems I'm headin for tha pen, I try and find my friends, but they're blowin in the wind...” (2:16) He does this to address that even though everyday is a war to survive from poverty and the negatives of society, people are turning on the ones around them when most importantly they should be coming together and supporting one another to overcome the surrounding insanity.
Even though Tupak Shakur mainly points out the misogyny in society in “Keep Ya Head Up”, he also addresses other multiple issues such as gang violence, the prison system, lack of self identification, and most importantly the theme in the song, faith and belief in oneself and getting back up from the societies ditches. In the chorus of the song Shakur raps, “Keep ya head up, oooo child things are gonna get easier, ooooo child thing are gonna get brighter”. The unstated yet underlined idea is not only to try to better oneself life through all of the difficulties but to try to give the the next generation more of a chance to not have to experience them.
Works Cited
Shakur, Tupak. “Keep Ya Head Up.” Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. DJ Daryl, 1992. CD.
Sean Newton
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
28 August 2011
Essay response to Tupac Shakur's "Keep ya head up"
In Tupac Shakur's "Keep ya head up", Shakur talks about social issues that plagued the African American community during the early 1990s. These social issues include drugs ("I blame my mother, for turning my brother into a crack baby" 2:24), gang violence, poverty, single parenting (You know it makes me unhappy When brothas make babies, and leave a young mother to be a pappy. 1:14), the U.S. government ("They got money for wars, but can't feed the poor" 2:20), insanity("It's gonna take the man in me to conquer this insanity" 2:16), sorrow ("But please don't cry, dry your eyes" 1:7), and sexism ("and if we don't then we'll have a race of babies that hate the ladies..." 1:21). Shakur states in his song that even though the world is a harsh and unforgiving place, especially amongst the African American community living in ghettos, that you have to keep your head up and keep moving forward.
In the second verse of the song, Shakur states that he " Ran with the local crew, and had a smoke or two And I realize momma really paid the price". I believe he is trying to open the eyes of people, and try to make them realize that others really do suffer because of their actions, specifically people in the ghetto. There are many people in the world who rape, murder, and torture innocents but are unaware of the suffering they've inflicted onto others indirectly. A family loses a loved one to a case of misidentification, a close friend of many is lost to gang violence, and a father trying to support his family with what little he has, is robbed. I'm glad Shakur addresses this in his song.
Works Cited -
Shakur, Tupac. “Keep Ya Head Up.” Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. Atron Gregory. 1993. CD.
Jonathan Swan
Professor Sabir
English 1 A: 11 - 1150
28 August 2011
In Tupac Shakur’s song “Keep Ya Head Up” he paints a picture of a hard life style. He raps about various issues including sorrow, death, drugs, and gang violence with a clarity that leads one to believe that he has first hand experience or a familiarity with the song’s content. While there is a singly unifying theme that could be stated simply as life is hard buy you have to keep going, there are many references to different problems that many people face. Tupac made this song as an anthem to tell people life is worth living, and even if circumstances tell you otherwise you have to continue to try. “I say the darker the flesh the deeper the roots.” (stanza 1, line 2)
He speaks about different people's experiences in how they may personally struggle in life. At first about a woman's struggle, by questioning "why we take from our women (1:22)" he publicizes the crime that is portrayed.
Daniel Gargantilla
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
29 August 2011
Response to "Keep Ya Head Up"
In Tupac Shakur's song "Keep Ya Head Up", he preaches about the struggles that many young impovershed minorities go through. I believe he was aiming towards the young black youth, letting them know he felt their pain because he has also faced difficult struggles with poverty. I also believe that Tupac's main goal for writing this song was to give those same people hope, even when they are at their lowest. it is a message for people to persevere. This message can be best heard when he says, "Cause I think we can make it, in fact, I'm sure. And if you fall, stand tall and comeback for more."(3:7-8)
Marcel Rollock
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11:00 am-11:50 am
29 August 2011
Response to Tupac’s “Keep Ya Head Up”
Though out Tupac Shakur’s song “Keep Ya Head Up” he touches on many issues that face the black community and young people growing up in America. Single parenting is something that plagues today’s African American culture, Tupac, through lyrics in the song like, “when you come around the block brothas clown a lot but please don’t cry, dry your eyes, never let up forgive but don’t forget keep your head up” (1:6), speaks to women, encourages them to stay positive, realize their beauty and value to society even though it may be hard to see at times.
The song also discusses how black women are treated by men. He asks why we take from our women and why we rape our women. Tupac emphasizes how wrong this is and if it does not change future generations will grow up acting the same way towards women. Although Tupac many not have gone through a lot of things brought up in this song, he understands them and tries to relay a positive message for people who may be dealing with these issues.
Tupac raps “Aiyyo, I remember Marvin Gaye, use to sing to me he had me feeling like black was the thing to be and suddenly the ghetto didn’t seem so tough” (2:1). This part of the track stood out to me because people everywhere listening to “Keep Ya Head Up” will be drawn to certain lyrics and use them for motivation just like Tupac did while listening to Marvin Gaye.
Brianna DeGrano
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11:00 am-11:50 am
29 August 2011
In Tupac Shakur’s song, “Keep Ya Head Up,” he accounts for the situations surrounding his environment. He is particularly addressing the black youth of the time and many of the struggles they face. He uses examples and situations that are relatable to his chosen audience. The general theme that Tupac presents is not giving up and having a sense of resilience when times are troublesome. Tupac reminds us in his song that “And even when you’re fed up huh, ya got to keep your head up” 2:32,33.
I believe this song is about not only experiences Tupac may have faced in his life, but more so about the situations and trials of those around him. The theme of respecting women plays a huge part in this song. Tupac uses the subject of respect regarding women repeatedly. He regards women with an extreme sense of respect and dignity. “And since a man can’t make one, He has no right to tell a when and where to create one” 1:27,28. This line has such an important message. Tupac’s lyrics were, in fact, more of a message to his audience, especially the black youth of the time.
Although Tupac addresses women in a large portion of this song, he also speaks to the men. His lyrics provide a solution to the common hardships faced by those in his environment. “So would the real men get up” 1:29, is an important line targeting the men to step up, take responsibility and be mature. These themes are like lessons for the youth in Tupac’s environment.
Work Cited
Shakur, Tupak. “Keep Ya Head Up.” Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. DJ Daryl, 1992. CD.
Lena Chhit
Wanda Sabir
English 1a 11am-1150am
25 August 2011
Summary of Song “Keep Ya Head Up”
In Tupac Shakurs song, “Keep Ya Head Up”, he talks about the struggles that he sees around him. He discusses how women are mistreated and that men need to step up and take responsibility, “so would the real men get up. I know your fed up ladies, but keep your head up.” (1:30-31). It seems he feels that men don’t appreciate or respect women the way they ought to. He discusses how it feels like everyone’s just losing loved ones, “I try to find my friends but they’re blowin in the wind. Last night my buddy lost his whole family.”(2:17-19). “I’m still tryin to hold on to surviving friends.”(3:23). He talks about poverty, how it can sometimes feel like there is no hope because the problems seem endless. He feels that the government doesn’t even care, “they got money for wars, but can’t feed the poor.”(2:25). His message in the song really speaks about the youths and how they aren’t being nurtured or given a chance, “say there ain’t no hope for the youth.” (2:26). “Cause ain’t nuttin worse than when your son wants to know why his daddy don’t love him no mo‘.” (3:9-10). He wants the listener to know that whatever you may be going through to just keep going, be strong and stand tall even if things don’t seem to be getting better. “And it’s crazy, it seems it’ll never let up, but please…you got to keep ya head up.”- ( 3: 24-25).
Lena Chhit
Wanda Sabir
English 1a 11am-1150am
29 August 2011
Response to Classmate
My response is to Marcel Rollock's, "Response to Tupac's, Keep ya head up." I agree with you about single parenting plagueing the African American community, but I have to say I believe it is plagueing many other communities as well. The line that stood out to you "Aiyoo, I remember Marvin Gaye, used to sing ta me. He had me feelin like black was the thing to be", stood out to me too. I definitely think it is important to be proud of your culture and whatever race you are.
Kyle Tay
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11am - 11:50am
29 aug 2011
Response to "Keep Ya head Up"
In Tupac Shakur's song "Keep Yah Head Up", he speaks about the neglect and mistreatment he sees towards single mothers in his community. He sympathises with single mothers by examining the relationship between the single mother and the neglactant father. He states, "You know it makes me unhappy when brothas make babies and leave a young mother. I know your ladies fed up, but keep your head up." (1:16-17,30-31) With this he makes it evident that he sympathises with the struggles young single mothers go through, but urges that the best thing to do is to keep your head up and continue on in life. Through this and subtle referances to other issues within the black community, Shakur communicates that one should always keep their head up and never give up despite all the challenges life throws at us.
Shakur also makes referance to other social issues such as death, murder, drugs, and crime. He states "Last night my buddy lost his whole family, its gunna take the man in me to conquer this insanity." Shakur emphasizes that murder and death are a sad part of reality, yet through his message is able to carry on.
Jessica Orantes
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
29 August 2011
Response to “Keep Ya Head up”
Tupac's "Keep Ya Head up" talks about the problems with society, especially our working class society. The song starts preaching about women being disrespected, and how our own people feel the need to degrade them. It’s definitely more about everyday problems and not only about single parenting, although it does talk much about young mothers on welfare. When Tupac says “He had me feelin like black was tha thing to be and suddenly tha ghetto didn't seem so tough and though we had it rough, we always had enough I huffed and puffed about my curfew and broke the rules ran with the local crew, and had a smoke or two and I realize momma really paid the price she nearly gave her life, to raise me right.” 1:49 (Stanza 2 Line 2-8) This speaks to me in different ways, its preaching the problems people living in the ghetto face every day, and it’s also touching base with the way he was raised in a single parent home.
Tupac’s message in this song is strong and powerful, it really touches base with me because I was born and raised in the ghetto; raised by a single mother. Tupac’s message to Women is strong enough to make me change the way I look at life, it makes me feel stronger self respect and ask for respect from others because I am a woman.
Ryan Chua
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11:00-11:50
29 August 2011
Summary of "Keep Ya Head Up" by Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur's famous song "Keep Ya Head Up" brings a message of hope to those who most need it. Tupac does not have a personal history or experience in being victimized in the problems or situations that he speaks of, but his specific care for the troubled African American youth is exhibited in the struggles he mentions throughout the song. He brings up delicate topics such as parenting, misogyny, violence, and economic decisions that hurt individuals in multiple ways. These topics are common among young minorities, particularly African Americans, whom Tupac intends to have as his targeted audience. In listening to the message within the song, he hopes for love and positivity to be found within those who may undergo the hardships of their tough lives. He says, "But please don't cry, dry your eyes, never let up
Forgive but don't forget to keep your head up." (1st Stanza, Line #7,8)
Ryan Chua
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11:00-11:50
29 August 2011
Response to Stephanie Kiick
I'm really glad I got to read this. I only wish I got to do so before I composed my own essay-worthy summary of the ideas of the song. The content was so detailed and touched into the important, subtle details that the song intends to cover within its messages. Excellent job and I hope Professor Sabir appreciates your work as much as I did!
Marcel Rollock
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11:00 am-11:50 am
30 August 2011
Response to Classmate
I am responding to Ryan Chua’s summary of Tupac’s song “Keep Ya Head Up”. I thought your summary was simple but effective. You spoke about his message to his target audience and I agree that through the song Pac hopes for love and positivity to be found within those who may undergo the hardships of their tough lives.
Debaique kemp
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11:00am-11:50am
30 August 2011
Summary of "Keep Ya Head Up" by Tupac Shakur
In the song "keep ya head up", Tupac Shakur addresses a lot of issues that influence and shape the lower class African American community. Tupac preached abut a multitude of issues, but the one that sticks out the most is the mental abuse that happens in African American families.Shakur talks about the single mothers raising families; how the lack of self-identification and love for self from the parents is passed to their children. Shakur also addresses the government’s perceptions of the lower class community and how it influences the way they view themselves. Tupac states “it’s goanna take the man in me to conquer this insanity, It seem the rain will never let up, I try to keep your head up”,(stanza 2 line 20-22). I believe the point that Tupac was trying to make was that poverty is a state of mind, if you allow yourself to be a victim you will fall short; but if you make the choice to fight, you will see better days.
Melody Webster
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
August 30, 2011
Response to "Keep Ya Head Up" by Tupac Shakur
In Tupac Shakur's song, "Keep Ya Head Up," he discusses the impossibility of impoverished life and the importance of living through the difficulties and coming out on top. Shakur goes through the many struggles of this life by bringing to light poverty, gangs, violence, single parenting, mysogony, and so forth. He writes this song as a narrative to display his understanding of the situation and to convey the message of living through the worst. As an example, Shakur writes "We ain't meant to survive, cause it's a setup/And even though you're fed up/Ya got to keep your head up." Stanza 2, lines 31-33.
Works cited:
Shakur, Tupac. “Keep Ya Head Up.” Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. Atron Gregory. 1993. CD.
Christian Logan
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11:00- 11:50AM
30 August 2011
In his song “Keep Ya Head Up”, Tupac addresses numerous social issues and other crises that plague ghetto communities. He depicts several instances of struggles that are commonly faced by the poor black community. He talks about single parenting, “You know it makes me unhappy when brothas make babies and leave a young mother to be a pappy.” (1:15-17). He discusses misogyny, “And since we all came from a woman got our name from a woman, I wonder why we take from our women, Why we rape our women, Do we hate our women?” (1:18-22). He talks about the hardships that come along with living in poverty, “I’m tryin to make a dollar out of fifteen cents. It’s hard to be legit and still pay tha rent. And it seems I’m headin for tha pen.” (2:14).
Although Tupac describes in great detail the harsh realities of life in the ghetto, there is an overall positive message in his song. He acknowledges that life may be tough, but he encourages anyone facing hard times to persevere, keep moving forward and not give up, “And it’s crazy, it seems it’ll never let up, but please… you got to keep ya head up.” (3:24-25). Tupac also assures his listeners that things will work out in the end, “Cause I think we can make it, in fact, I’m sure. And if you fall, stand tall and come back for more. (3:7-8). This is definitely one of Tupac’s most inspiring songs.
Stephanie Kiick
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11:00-11:50AM
30 August 2011
Response to Ryan Chua
Your response was short and very strong! I read it twice and thought you chose wisely with your words and explained it very well! Almost everyones response kind of sounds the same, which is resonable, but i thought that you did a really good job summarizing not only the song but also the relationshp between Tupacc and the song. Also, thank you very much for your comment!
Marjerie Deang
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11:00AM-11:50AM
30 August 2011
Response to Tupac’s “Keep Ya Head Up”
In Tupac Shakur's song "Keep Ya Head Up" he talks about people's struggles and situations. This song has a lot to do about sexism, a man treating a woman poorly, unfairly and with no respect. "So would the real men get up, I know you fed up ladies,but keep your head up" (1:30-31). A man needs to stand up not for just themselves, but for also for the all the women that cares and respects them. "Last night my buddy lost his whole family, It"s gonna take the man in me to conquer this insanity" (2:19-20) in this line Tupac also address violence and drugs, and how both of these things can take one's life so easily.
Work Cited
Shakur, Tupac. “KeepYa Head Up.” Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. DJ Daryl, 1992. CD.
Marjerie Deang
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11:00AM-11:50AM
30 August 2011
Response to Lena Chhi
We both had similar point of views to the song "KeepYa Head Up." I agree that many men needs to treat their women right. I also like how you pointed poverty and the government. This song addresses many people that relate to this to not give up and be strong, even though their are a lot of downs in life.
Melody Webster
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A
31 August 2011
Response to Brianna DeGrano
I felt that your response was well thought out and brought up a lot of good points. I liked that you mentioned that Tupac was addressing the problems that he saw his friends and those around him go through, not necessarily singing from an autobiographical point of view. Moreover, we share similar views on respect regarding women in the song.
Jesse Pinkney
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
31 August 2011
Tupac wrote a wonderful song called "Keep Ya Head Up" that made many women feel good about being a female, a queen, intelligent, strong, and beautiful. Tupac was a talented writer who understood the struggle of the urban society, minorities, and lower class people. I would like to think his mother had allot to do with this song and I'm sure other experiences he may have encountered played a role as well, "Got our name from a women and our game from a women" (1:19-20). He was a wise man to create a song that would uplift women and cause men to appreciate the women in their life. It is important for artist to raise awareness to things we take for granted. "Forgive but don't forget keep your head up and when he tells you you ain't nothin don't believe him And if he can't learn to love you you should leave him"(1:8-11). Motivation and inspiration is what we all need in troubled times.
Edwin Peabody
Professor Sabir
English 1A
31 August 2011
In Topic Shaker song Keep Your Head Up, he talks about many disturbing issues to reach out to the young black youth. Throughout the song he talks about the struggles of life in the black community, drugs, government, politics, crime, single parenting, misogyny, and ect… Tupac does not exactly live this life that he address in the song but he does have a lot of knowledge of it. Tupac encourages the young blacks youth to continue to keep their heads up although life is hard. He states, “ . . . we aint meant to survive because it’s a setup, you got to keep your head up.
Joe Kempel
Professor Sabir
English 1A
1 September 2011
Keep Ya Head Up Summary
The main subject in "Keep Ya Head Up" is the struggle of a single mother. Dealing with a father who will not support his child and covering the expenses of raising a child without turning to illegal means are two specific examples used by Tupac.
The song is not just about singe parenting. Tupac suggests to the listener that the government is not something that the poor can rely on for help. Wars in foreign countries appear to be more of a priority than feeding citizens within the borders. (Stanza 2, Line 22). Realizing this, the mothers have to rely on themselves in the absence of the child's father and the government.
He challenges real men to step up to the plate and do their duty as a father. Tupac reminds all the men disrespecting the mother of their children that they are alive because of a woman. The women didn't ask to be put in this situation. Once all the misfortunes are added up, it seems like the battle isn't meant to be won. However, he pleads that women in these situations keep their heads up.
Debanique Kemp
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50AM
1 September 2011
Response to Marjerie Deang
Well said. Your summary is short simple and straight to the point. I really like the way you incorporated so many issues in such a short paragraph. I feel like you really captured the essence of the song.
Sebastian Chastang
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11am-11:50am
30 August 2011
Response Summary of Tupac's song " Keep Ya Head Up"
Well, Tupac pointed out that women today in Black America, are treated like they have no value, by their own black men. Tupac says in the midst of his lyrics, " I wonder why we rape our women", " Do we hate our women?". Those two observations by Tupac, were very dynamic.
He really had compassion for those women. Because the same men that were abusing them, were the very men who were suppose to be loving and protecting them unconditonally.
Tupac's "Keep Ya Head Up" was a song that made him a role model to the younger generation. "Keep Ya Head Up" Spoke to directly to his community, letting them know that this abuse could not continue on his time. For those men that didn't know that they were bringing the African community down by doing this, he let them know.
Tupac also tells of the young black sister that didn't have any help raising her black prince or princess from the "Man" that helped make the baby.
Lastly, he speaks about the unity needed for African femininity to be appreciated by the black man or boy.
Marena Perez
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11am - 11:50am
2 September 2011
In Tupac Shakur’s song Keep Ya Head Up begins line 58 of stanza 3 with “You know its funny, when it rains it pours.“ This is an amused reflection stating that when its bad its seems to never relent and continues to get worse. He follows this statement by explaining that the government has funds to initiate world violence but no money to support those who are starving in our very own country. This is stanza 3, line 59. “They got money for wars but can’t feed the poor.” The government misuses their funds then insinuates that there is no hope for our youth. Tupac amplifies the subject by stating that rather than there being no hope for our youth, there is no hope for our future. He then proceeds to end this stanza by almost mockingly pointing out that the government still ponders why they are all going mad. Lines 60, 61, and 62 of stanza 3 explain this consecutively. “Say there ain’t no hope for the youth and the truth is/ it ain’t no hope for the future/ and then they wonder why we crazy.”
Marena Perez
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11am - 11:50am
2 September 2011
Response to Sebastian Chastang
No only does that have to be one of my favorite lines of Keep Ya Head Up (“I wonder why we rape our women, do we hate our women”) I agree that it is very dynamic. Not only is he pointing out all the wrong men do to women he magnifies his statement by down right asking. He establishes all that we receive from a woman and why we should be grateful then buildups up the flow by asking with no reserve, do we really hate our women that much?
Quincy Taylor
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11am-11: 50am
4 September 2011
Keep ya head up
The song “keep ya head up” by Tupac was about the hard time we as African American have in this world as black youth, poor people and our culture. Things like drug addiction, young black men leaving their babies mother just because they didn’t want to have a child yet. So he’s saying “what’s going on” like the song Marvin Gaye wrote. Like the verse (“Aiyyo I remember Marvin Gaye used to sing to me he had us feeling like black was the thing to be” 2:1) Tupac was honoring Marvin Gayes song, simply because it was about the world in poverty. Tupac is saying that every time a man see a woman come around they get all hyped up, but they also rape women. (“Some say the blacker the berry the sweeter the juice I say the darker the flesh the deeper the roots I give a holler to my sisters on welfare Tupac cares if don’t nobody else care” 1:1). He’s saying that if no one in government don’t care he does and he put it out were everyone could hear. This song is powerful in so many ways, encouraging, getting you thinking about your life. (“keep your head up” 3:24)
Javier Flores
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11am-11:50am
4 September 2011
Free write : “Keep Ya Head Up” by Tupac Shakur
The song “keep ya head up” by Tupac is about the struggle African Americans go through in life, especially single black mothers. A main focus of the song is poverty, drug addiction, and misogyny. In the verse " I wonder why we rape our women" Tupac is brave to talk about the issues that greatly affect the African American community. Tupac was able to relate to many people who grew up with the life he rapped about.
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