Agree or Disagree with a Difference
Today in the 11-11:50 class students forgot that we meet in A-232. We lost a bit of time. Also, students told me that I told them to reread yesterday's reading assignment: The Son of a Panther.
In class we looked at that chapter. Students were asked to identify a central premise or main idea(s) and AGREE, DISAGREE, and AGREE & DISAGREE in a short essay (3 paragraphs). Use citations: free paraphrases and direct quotes.
Do not forget the works cited.
Now respond to a classmate's argument: Agree, disagree or agree & disagree. Expand the argument with citations or references to Dyson. This response is not an essay. 100 words is fine.
2. For homework answer the following question in short essay. Post it here:
What is the central premise or main idea(s) in No Malcolm X . . . ? In three (3) paragraphs discuss Tupac's views on public education or the public school system. AGREE, DISAGREE, and AGREE & DISAGREE.
Use citations: free paraphrases and direct quotes.
Do not forget the works cited.
Look at the assignments for They Say (68) and the Reading Schedule for Holler If You Hear Me.
"Prepare No Malcolm" and "Give Me a Paper and a Pen" for Monday. The assignment is due before class.
In class we looked at that chapter. Students were asked to identify a central premise or main idea(s) and AGREE, DISAGREE, and AGREE & DISAGREE in a short essay (3 paragraphs). Use citations: free paraphrases and direct quotes.
Do not forget the works cited.
Now respond to a classmate's argument: Agree, disagree or agree & disagree. Expand the argument with citations or references to Dyson. This response is not an essay. 100 words is fine.
2. For homework answer the following question in short essay. Post it here:
What is the central premise or main idea(s) in No Malcolm X . . . ? In three (3) paragraphs discuss Tupac's views on public education or the public school system. AGREE, DISAGREE, and AGREE & DISAGREE.
Use citations: free paraphrases and direct quotes.
Do not forget the works cited.
Look at the assignments for They Say (68) and the Reading Schedule for Holler If You Hear Me.
"Prepare No Malcolm" and "Give Me a Paper and a Pen" for Monday. The assignment is due before class.
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 11:23 AM
58 Comments:
Bianca Hsueh
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
27 September 2012
Freewrite
The central premise is that the Black Panther group divided families. I agree with this main idea because in order to be a part of the Black Panthers, a member must be very committed towards gaining more rights and power for African Americans. In order to do so, the member must put the Black Panthers above their family. Michael Eric Dyson expounds on this idea by using Afeni Shakur and her son Tupac Shakur as an example. Afeni was a prominent member of the Black Panthers and spent most of her time with the party, “And from the start, Afeni’s role in the movement was costly, limiting, in Tupac’s mind, the time she spent with him”(Dyson, pg. 50). As a result of spending all of her time working hard for the Black Panthers, Afeni ended up neglecting Tupac. In a way, this divided the relationship between the mother and son because the two did not have the time to communicate with each other and interact with each other.
A main idea that I disagreed with was the idea that the police justified treating the children of Black Panther Party members harsher than other children. Dyson explains that Tupac became a victim to the police because his mother was a member of the Black Panthers. He recounts times where Tupac faced special brutality because his mother participated in activities that promoted Black Power (pg. 60). I disagree with the police treating first and second generation Black Panthers more brutally because of their ideals.
I agree and disagree with the Black Panther group having a negative impact on his life. As part of the Black Panthers and having a mother who was a part of the Black Panthers, Tupac faced police brutality and harsher interactions with the police force. In other words, he became a target because he insisted on following the Black Panther ideals to have more power for African Americans. However, I disagree with the idea because Tupac was able to grow using the ideas from the Black Panthers and his experiences with the group. The artist, "'…wanted to us it to platform himself’” (Dyson, pg. 65). As a second generation Panther, Tupac knew what the Black Panthers wanted for a Black community, and Tupac was able to incorporate these ideals to the messages in his songs. Therefore, although having relations to the Black Panther group resulted in some terrifying experiences for Tupac, which made a negative impact to his life, the ideals from the Black Power group allowed Tupac to grow as a singer.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
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Danielle Carmon
Professor sabir
September 27, 2012
English 1a 11-11:50
In chapter two there are a few different view points of Tupac’s actions throughout his life, and it looks at where he might have gotten his inspiration. We know that Tupac was born to a powerful woman in the Black Panther party; people tend to believe that because he was born into a panther way of life he too was fighting for the same fight. Panther Purists thought that Tupac was too showy when he began to be in the spotlight which wouldn’t look good for the Panthers. Others outside of the Black Panthers would look at Tupac and see the way he acted and hear what he rapped about, what they thought to their knowledge, was what the Panthers did as well. You can’t be for certain where Tupac got his ideals and principles but what you can tell is he got the power to fight, and the voice to back it up from his mother, Afeni Shakur.
Tupac rapped about numerous of different things from his hard life growing up in the hood, being broke and now making it big. In the eyes of the Black Panther Purist viewed Tupac’s “extravagant materialism and defiant hedonism are the death knell of political conscience, the ultimate sell out of revolutionary ideals.” (pg. 48) this is true, when you are in a position that is of power and high ranking in the society I believe that you have a duty to be a good role model. I think that Tupac was more focused on the fact that he was now famous and had money, woman and fame, he forgot that he has an ability to make an impact in others lives.
Any outsider of the Black Panther Party would look at Tupac and now that he was up to no good, he didn’t represent himself in a manner that society accepted. They would see “Panther gangsterism, what with its sexual abuse of women, financial malfeasance, and brutal factionalism.” (pg. 49) I think people would see the outer appearance of Tupac and didn’t tend to listen to his inner message.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Ian Bailey
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A, 11-11:50
September 27, 2012
Son Of A Panther
The chapter “Son of a Panther” goes much into depth about the “thug” mentality and Tupac’s affiliation with the thug life. The author says that “thugs bring arbitrary correction to the imbalances that revolutionaries seek to redress,” mentioning how thugs promote change and social justice by undermining society. However, I disagree entirely with that sentiment. The dictionary definition of “thug” is “a violent person, especially a criminal”. Implications from the book also suggest that being a “thug” involves a strong sense of pride in one’s affiliation with the ghetto, or a lower-class, crime-ridden society. Violence, in itself, is not constructive. It does not serve a cause, and it has no direction, no purpose. It just degrades society, and doesn’t really promote anything besides fear.
Tupac Shakur’s affiliation with the “thug life,” in my opinion, is a mistake on his part because it causes him to hold on to a mentality that degrades his moral character. Even after finding success with his musical career, Tupac constantly mentioned and preached about the “thug life,” as if senseless violence is something to be proud of. In reality, as unfortunate as it is that so many people are forced to partake in violent behavior to survive in the ghetto, seeing such actions as a way of life is very harmful to oneself.
Dyson, Michael. Holler If You Hear Me. Basic Civitas Books. 2001. Print.
Sathaesan Damulgeran (Ace)
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11 – 11:50
27th September 2012
Main Ideas for Chapter 2: The Son Of A Panther
The first main idea that is seen in chapter 2 would have to be the difference in how people saw the
Panthers. While some saw the Panthers as a strident symbol of political destruction turned inward,
others saw otherwise. Besides that the way Tupac was seen is a major central premise of this chapter.
Everyone had different views of what they thought about Tupac, based on his lyrics and behavior that
Suggested…to be continued =)
Pablo R. Hernandez
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
27 September 2012
(This essay is a work in progress)
Chapter 2 Essay
I agree with the idea that the government was behind the children of the panthers. This idea was brought up in various occasions like when Sonia Sanchez brought it up on page sixty-three. Sonia stated that she thought all the Shakur names were gone from the United States because she heard the government wanted them exiled. Mos Def would go on to say that the government hurt the Black Panther Party by going after their children, to mislead them, to weaken the power they had. Tupac was seen as a new leader for a different Panther party, which in the end Tupac was cut down before he became powerful.
The director Vondie Curtis Hall was a friend of Tupac’s and described him as “The brother could quote a million muthafuckas you know.”(Dyson, pg. 62) Tupac was an intellectual man which was stated before when Afeni Shakur acknowledged Tupac was a “Reading Gangster.” I agree that Tupac was a smart man because his work was like poetry, meaning that it is free for interpretation. Tupac was known to tell what he saw around his neighborhood, Tupac was a man that wanted to open the governments eyes to what was going on.
On a different note Tupac was also a sensitive man, loving and caring for the people in his neighborhood. Before Tupac rapped about his life and the struggles people had as a child he was already a leader. Afeni recalled the time Tupac gave back “If they had too many [toys], they gave them away.” (Dyson, pg. 55)
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas Books, 2006. Print.
Michelle Chen
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
27 Sept 2012
“The Son of a Panther”
Tupac was taken to his first political speech at the 168th Street Armory in New York and it was by Minister Louis Farrakhan. Tupac’s godfather Elmer “Geronimo” Pratt was born into the movement. The main idea is that Tupac’s revolutionary sensibilities shaped his inclination to protest injustice with grand gestures. He compares himself to his mother saying that they are both arrogant and his knowledge is based on his sense of dramatic timing. Black Panthers separated many families but the Panthers inspired Tupac to address racial conflict. He and his friend decided to start the “Black Panthers” again but different. Instead of the 1960s, they’ll be doing it to fit their views, less violent and more silent.
I agree to Tupac and his friend, I think starting the “Black Panthers” again would be a good idea, especially to fit their views of life. I believe Tupac has a good mind-set and knows his right from wrongs and can inspire many people to do great things. Tupac was not drawn to the Panthers because of their violence, hyper masculinized images, or their alluring social mystique. His attraction to the Black Panthers was a practical attempt to answer racial oppression. Leadership is a huge role in the Panthers and Tupac would make a good one. For all of the racial theories, Tupac was far less enthusiastic about their contradictory practices.
…To be continued
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd Ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Jonas Sota
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
September 27 2012
The Ideology That Shaped Tupac’s Character
In Dyson’s biography of Tupac “Holler If You Hear Me” he probes Tupac’s environment as he aims to determine the reasons for Tupac’s character, skills, and essentially his grand influence on society. Dyson doesn’t simply look at Tupac as a designed product of God, coming out of the womb with a certain destiny or set of characteristics and skills. Rather, Dyson adheres to the belief that one’s environment; one’s parents, neighborhood, education, peers, and the challenges that one faces as a child have a great affect on who one develops into. More specifically, Dyson focuses on the political ideology that Tupac was surrounded by since the beginning of his life, “Our best chance of understanding Tupac’s dilemmas, and his failures and triumphs, too, rests in probing the ideals with which he was reared and that shaped his life for better and for worse. What did it mean to be a child of the Black Panthers, to have a postrevolutionary childhood?” (49). Here Dyson is giving great credit to the Black Panther’s political ideology revolving around response to the oppression of black people by the white man’s capitalist system.
Between the revolution led by the Black Panthers and the 1980s, the black community held an animosity towards the capitalist economic structure. The capitalist system was seen as a tool of oppression used by the “white man” – working for a white man for low wages was compared to slavery, modern-age slavery. Many blacks refused to play the capitalist game and therefore didn’t attend college and didn’t strive to develop a successful career within the capitalist system, “She says that receiving her ‘training from the movement’ made her believe that ‘capitalism’ was a dirty word’” (55). Revolutionary blacks during the time of Tupac’s childhood resisted the capitalist structure and therefore remained relatively poor and unstable within the capitalist economy. Tupac spoke of his family being wealthy in regards to spirit and soul, but terribly lacking of money, and this lack of money posed certain problems for Tupac which without a doubt helped shape the person he developed into.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Books, 2006. Print.
Janelle Martin
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11:00am- 11:50am
27 September 2012
Freewrite
In Holler If You Hear Me, a book written by Michael Eric Dyson we examined the second chapter titled Son of a Panther. This chapter describes Tupac’s life growing up with his mother being part of the Black Panther society. Shakur’s entire childhood revolved around the political group, his godfather who was also a member of the party stated that Tupac was “born into the movement.” (Dyson 48) Dyson gives way for Tupac to show his feelings about how he grew up not having the best of means. Tupac specifically stated the difference between financial and moral wealth, knowing that he was rich with moral wealth he said “Because you know if money was nothing, if there was no money and everything depended on your moral standards and the way you behaved and the way you treated people, we’d be millionaires. We’d be rich.” (Dyson 51) The Shakur family may not have had much but they had their values and beliefs. (to be continued)
Works cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd Ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Keelan Sunglao-Valdez
Professor Sabir
English 1A
11:00-11:50
September 27, 2012
Free Write: The Son of a Panther
In chapter two of Holler if You Hear Me, Dyson discusses with Afeni Shakur about her involvement in the Black Panthers and how it affected Tupac’s life. Although Tupac was young, his mother taught him what the movement was about, and Tupac learned what the group wanted to accomplish. As he grew older, Tupac learned what the panthers stood for and embodied the ideals of self-defense and class rebellion. Tupac evolved these ideals into the lifestyle he called “Thug Life.” Tupac applied this lifestyle to his own life and his career by expressing the ideal of “Thug Life” through his music and actions.
Tupac grew up in the middle of a civil revolution and learned from the actions around him. His influences from the Panther party shaped his morals on his surroundings as he went through life. “The Panthers example inspired Tupac to address racial conflict...seventeen-year old Tupac says he and his friends tried to “figure out what to do.”’(53) [TO BE CONTINUED]
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur. New York: Basic Civitas, 2001. Print.
Danielle Carmon
Professor sabir
September 27, 2012
English 1a 11-11:50
In chapter two there are a few different view points of Tupac’s actions throughout his life, and it looks at where he might have gotten his inspiration. We know that Tupac was born to a powerful woman in the Black Panther party; people tend to believe that because he was born into a panther way of life he too was fighting for the same fight. Panther Purists thought that Tupac was too showy when he began to be in the spotlight which wouldn’t look good for the Panthers. Others outside of the Black Panthers would look at Tupac and see the way he acted and hear what he rapped about, what they thought to their knowledge, was what the Panthers did as well. You can’t be for certain where Tupac got his ideals and principles but what you can tell is he got the power to fight, and the voice to back it up from his mother, Afeni Shakur.
Tupac rapped about numerous of different things from his hard life growing up in the hood, being broke and now making it big. In the eyes of the Black Panther Purist viewed Tupac’s “extravagant materialism and defiant hedonism are the death knell of political conscience, the ultimate sell out of revolutionary ideals.” (pg. 48) this is true, when you are in a position that is of power and high ranking in the society I believe that you have a duty to be a good role model. I think that Tupac was more focused on the fact that he was now famous and had money, woman and fame, he forgot that he has an ability to make an impact in others lives.
Any outsider of the Black Panther Party would look at Tupac and now that he was up to no good, he didn’t represent himself in a manner that society accepted. They would see “Panther gangsterism, what with its sexual abuse of women, financial malfeasance, and brutal factionalism.” (pg. 49) I think people would see the outer appearance of Tupac and didn’t tend to listen to his inner message.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Thany Ouk
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
27 September 2012
The fact that Afeni Shakur was part of the Black Panthers made an impact in Tupac’s life. Tupac as a child didn’t always get what he wanted or needed. Something his mom was able to give him was love. Throughout the time Afeni was part of the Black Panther movement, she became isolated with her son. They didn’t have much time together and Tupac was upset about that. After the movement stopped, Afeni and Tupac’s relationship grew and they had a greater bond. They always had a tight relationship throughout the obstacles they overcame because of their mother and son bond.
Tupac is still known and popular because people are drawn to his lyrics. He isn’t an ordinary rapper who talks about money, clothes and fame. His words are deeper and meaningful. Tupac mentions “I feel like if you can’t respect yourself, then you can’t respect your race, then you can’t respect another’s race..” (Dyson, 53) The Black Panthers idea motivated him to address the racial conflicts because he was against the disrespect and hate.
To be Continued…
Stephanie Berrospe
English 1A 11-11:50
Professor Sabir
27 September 2012
In the chapter son of a panther, Dyson analyses the similarities between Tupac and Afeni. He compares them in their political side. How Afeni was a Black panther and Tupac was a fighter for social justice. I Agree with Dyson that they were very alike in this aspect. While Afeni choose to “analyze society and fight and do thing better” (51) instead of going to college; she was preparing Tupac and his sister for society’s obstacles. Tupac quotes, “Payoff to her is that me and my sister grew up good and we have good minds and… we’re ready for society.”(51). This shows how much Afeni cared for her family but it also shows how Tupac understood because he also had to go through social injustice.
Tupac shares a story in which he was disrespected. Because of the similarities to his mother strength, Tupac did not allow this injustice to happen. It started as he got a very important interview to assist. The job he was at currently selling pizza did not give him permission to assist to this interview. Besides the fact that he had a cold, he was forced to work in the freezer. This was a social injustice right away. HE quit on the spot. He quit so that he was able to attend the interview. His boss said he couldn’t quit. At that point, “I chose that time to jump up on the soapbox, grab my leather jacket , light a cigarette in front of him, smoke, and leave in the middle of a rush.” (52). Tupac defended himself of such disrespect once again demonstrating the arrogant similarity with his mother.
In conclusion I more than agree with Dyson that Tupac And Afeni similarities go on further than just artistic, but political. The both have the strength build up to defend themselves and their people. One quote in specific cached my attention. Dyson says: “he also recognizes that her noble efforts are often harshly repaid”. (53). They fight to make justice.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Luchanda Williams
Professor Sabir
English 1A
September 27 2012
In chapter two “the son of a panther” it talks about how Tupac followed in the foot steps of his mother which was the Black Panther movement, but also stated that he had his own view as to what route the movement should follow. In addition it spoke about how as a result of his mother always being on the road and taking him with her he grew up in the streets rather than a stable home. Also he was obsessed with getting answers on racial oppression which is one of the main reasons he joined the movement.
I agree with Dyson that Tupac was following in the footsteps of his mother because at a young age he joined the movement in effort to change the way of the Black Panther thinking. Even if it didn’t work out he then later realizes that it wasn’t what he wanted for himself. Also traveling with his mother at a young age with the movement served as a common ground and a means of communication for him and his mother. However I disagree with Dyson when he states that “his attraction to the Black Panther was a practical attempt to answer to racial oppression.”(pg55) I think it was move about trying to find himself through the lens that he had grown up with while going to the meetings with his mother. Also being that the street where the only thing he knew joing the movement was a way out.
To Be Continued
Work cited
Dyson Michael Eric, Holler if you hear me, New York Ny: Basic Civitas
Emily Lam
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50am
27 September 2012
Freewrite
The Central premise or main idea would be making peace with money. I agree how Tupac says that we should make peace with money and not be mad at the word “Capitalism”. The reason why I agree with Tupac is because money is already really hard to earn and we should not make it any harder for us to deal with it. It would only just make us angry about how capitalism is wrong in its own way and it is very sad that we cannot really do anything about it. (Dyson 58). We just have to stay positive like how Tupac said that we should and look beyond it.
The other main idea that I picked was being able to have the right to quit a job. Tupac wanted to quit so that he could do this interview, but his boss said that he could not. He was also sick, but they wanted him to work in the freezer. That’s when he thought that was disrespectful.“And then I had a cold, so they were making me work in the freezer, and I’m really not to be disrespected. And I felt like that was disrespectful because I asked to go, you know. So I quit and [my boss] told me I couldn’t quit.” (Dyson 52). I disagree that how Tupac was not able to quit. He has every right to and they should not treat their employees this way. Every employee is a human being and if they are sick, then they should not even let him come to work in the first place, but to have him work in something that might make his illness worse, that is very disrespectful. If they are coming to work for you, then they most definitely should not be treated this way. I believed that everyone employee has the right to quit if they are not being treated nicely.
In chapter 2, Dyson also mentioned a little bit about respect. Tupac really wanted to argue with his godfather, but because he did not wanted to seem like he was disrespecting his godfather, he kept silent. I agree that it is good that you should not talk back or argue back with an elder, but being silent is not always the key. “Afeni remembers that Tupax wanted desperately to aruge with godfather Geronimo Pratt, but out of respect he helf his tongue.” (Dyson 55). Maybe he does not have to argue back with him, but instead he could tell him why he disagrees with his godfather. I understand that sometimes the things we do might seem disrespectful, but sometimes it might be the only way to express ourselves or tell that person what and why our opinion does matter. Everyone has their own opinion and if they want to share, they should be able to.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Messi Chaib
Professor Wanda
English 1A
27 September 2012
Free Write About"The son of Panther"
In "The Son of Panther",(Chap2), Dyson was talking about how Afeni inluenced Tupac after joining the Panther Party which made him think about creating another Panther Party after the failure of the the fist Party that his mother joined. Iagree with this idea because Tupac was living in streets like his mother and under the white people's injustice so that made him think about changing the situation and stop that unfairness. On the other hand, if there was not any Panther Party before and its failure, Tupac would not think about creating another Panther Party in silence and without vilence. In addition, as Tupac said, Afenidid not care about her family like she cared about the Black Panther Party so that made Tupac see the Panther Party on his mother.
I disagree with the idea that Tupac was influenced by Afeni because as Tupac said, Afeni did not take care of him and he was always alone or with friends so he did not get love or advice from his mother. I assume that the environment influnce pushed him to get the idea of revolution and change his situation because as he said,"I do not know where my food comes from.",he suffered from poverty and racism which are two elements that have a big influence on a human being that can push him to steal, to kill and kill his feeling as a human as well.
I agree that Afeni influnced Tupac by her personality and courage which are thing that Tupac have, and that is genetic. For example,Afeni was always arging other people's ideas and do not just follow the flow and Tupac did the same thing when he was working inside a freezer for a white man and he did not like that and he said to his friends,"why we work for white man?", which is a question that have never asked before and that because of their superiority and personality even they were poor. On the other hand, I do not think that Afeni and Tupac are alike because Afeni got some things from her father which is courage and rebellion and she had a mother as well but Tupac had only a mother who was not really close to him as other mothers and he did not even know his father so all he got was from the street whcih environment despite the courage and rebellion that he got from his mother and it can be from the environment and not from his mother and eveyone has has his own experience.
Work Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Jonas Sota
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
September 27 2012
Response to Bianca Hsueh
Although Afeni’s involvement with the Black Panther’s caused her children to experience a deficit of attention from their mother, this was not one of the main points of Dyson’s chapter, rather it was touched upon for a quick moment in Dyson’s objective to summarize Tupac’s relationship with his mother.
I think you took the assignment too literally in regards to making an agreeing statement, a disagreeing statement, and a statement that first agrees but then retracts support in disagreement.
Jonas Sota
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
September 27 2012
Response to Bianca Hsueh
Although Afeni’s involvement with the Black Panther’s caused her children to experience a deficit of attention from their mother, this was not one of the main points of Dyson’s chapter, rather it was touched upon for a quick moment in Dyson’s objective to summarize Tupac’s relationship with his mother.
I think you took the assignment too literally in regards to making an agreeing statement, a disagreeing statement, and a statement that first agrees but then retracts support in disagreement.
Keelan Sunglao-Valdez
Professor Sabir
English 1A
11:00-11:50
September 27, 2012
Free Write: The Son of a Panther
In chapter two of Holler if You Hear Me, Dyson discusses with Afeni Shakur about her involvement in the Black Panthers and how it affected Tupac’s life. Although Tupac was young, his mother taught him what the movement was about, and Tupac learned what the group wanted to accomplish. As he grew older, Tupac learned what the panthers stood for and embodied the ideals of self-defense and class rebellion. Tupac evolved these ideals into the lifestyle he called “Thug Life.” Tupac applied this lifestyle to his own life and his career by expressing the ideal of “Thug Life” through his music and actions. A number of people believe that Tupac does not carry this kind of lifestyle and simply lives the life of a rapper. They also believe that the Black Panthers were a gathered militia who used violence to obtained their goals. I must disagree with this because the Panthers simply chose to resist their oppression and use self defense to protect themselves. Tupac was raised around this and learned from it. He used it to strengthen his beliefs and it showed through his words.
Tupac grew up in the middle of a civil revolution and learned from the actions around him. His influences from the Panther party shaped his morals on his surroundings as he went through life. “The Panthers example inspired Tupac to address racial conflict...seventeen-year old Tupac says he and his friends tried to “figure out what to do.”’(53) Tupac and his friends decide that they will rebuild the panther movement.The new party would be a new breed with it’s own set of goals. Tupac learned from his mothers past and knew the mistakes that the original Panther party made. Tupac wanted a better party that was less violent and that had a goal to help the public. I believe with these values as the premise of the new party, Tupac could lead it to high power without the dangers and violence the previous party carried.
Although Afeni was for a strong party that fought for equality and respect, Afeni was often absent from Tupac’s life. She succeeded in teaching Tupac about certain values of life, but her absence really impacted Tupacs upbringing, forcing him to provide for himself. The effects of Afeni’s Panther life would constantly spill over to her personal family life and affect how Tupac was raised. Tupac dealt heavily with poverty and struggled on his own. This was a horrible way for a boy to be raised but Tupac says it makes him a stronger person and be ready for what the world will throw at him in life. Tupac says that he will learn from the worlds mistakes of war and hate, and instead, will use peace to try and solve some of the worlds problems.(54)
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur. New York: Basic Civitas, 2001. Print.
Keelan Sunglao-Valdez
Professor Sabir
English 1A
11:00-11:50
September 27, 2012
Free Write: The Son of a Panther
In chapter two of Holler if You Hear Me, Dyson discusses with Afeni Shakur about her involvement in the Black Panthers and how it affected Tupac’s life. Although Tupac was young, his mother taught him what the movement was about, and Tupac learned what the group wanted to accomplish. As he grew older, Tupac learned what the panthers stood for and embodied the ideals of self-defense and class rebellion. Tupac evolved these ideals into the lifestyle he called “Thug Life.” Tupac applied this lifestyle to his own life and his career by expressing the ideal of “Thug Life” through his music and actions. A number of people believe that Tupac does not carry this kind of lifestyle and simply lives the life of a rapper. They also believe that the Black Panthers were a gathered militia who used violence to obtained their goals. I must disagree with this because the Panthers simply chose to resist their oppression and use self defense to protect themselves. Tupac was raised around this and learned from it. He used it to strengthen his beliefs and it showed through his words.
Tupac grew up in the middle of a civil revolution and learned from the actions around him. His influences from the Panther party shaped his morals on his surroundings as he went through life. “The Panthers example inspired Tupac to address racial conflict...seventeen-year old Tupac says he and his friends tried to “figure out what to do.”’(53) Tupac and his friends decide that they will rebuild the panther movement.The new party would be a new breed with it’s own set of goals. Tupac learned from his mothers past and knew the mistakes that the original Panther party made. Tupac wanted a better party that was less violent and that had a goal to help the public. I believe with these values as the premise of the new party, Tupac could lead it to high power without the dangers and violence the previous party carried.
Although Afeni was for a strong party that fought for equality and respect, Afeni was often absent from Tupac’s life. She succeeded in teaching Tupac about certain values of life, but her absence really impacted Tupacs upbringing, forcing him to provide for himself. The effects of Afeni’s Panther life would constantly spill over to her personal family life and affect how Tupac was raised. Tupac dealt heavily with poverty and struggled on his own. This was a horrible way for a boy to be raised but Tupac says it makes him a stronger person and be ready for what the world will throw at him in life. Tupac says that he will learn from the worlds mistakes of war and hate, and instead, will use peace to try and solve some of the worlds problems.(54)
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur. New York: Basic Civitas, 2001. Print.
Keelan Sunglao-Valdez
Professor Sabir
English 1A
11:00-11:50
September 27, 2012
Response to:Danielle Carmon
I do agree with your statement about when having a position that is of power and high ranking in the society that you have a duty to be a good role model. This is a huge need and many of today's leaders can learn from this. I believe that Tupac learned this skill from his mother's teachings. “Their practice reflected her (Afeni) belief that “everything should go to the community.”’ (55) Afeni used what she learned from being a leader in the Panther Party and applied it to her teachings to her children. I think this reflects on Tupac’s morals and really comes out in his music. Tupac is known for creating music about real problems and many people can relate to. He used this power to gather people and to help them get through their struggles. In a way he is giving back to the community every time someone feels his words from inside.
Pablo R. Hernandez
Professor Sabir
English 1A
29 September 2012
Chapter 2 Essay
I agree with the idea that the government was behind the children of the panthers. This idea was brought up in various occasions like when Sonia Sanchez brought it up on page sixty-three. Sonia stated that she thought all the Shakur names were gone from the United States because she heard the government wanted them exiled. Mos Def would go on to say that the government hurt the Black Panther Party by going after their children, to mislead them, to weaken the power they had. Tupac was seen as a new leader for a different Panther party, which in the end Tupac was cut down before he became powerful.
The director Vondie Curtis Hall was a friend of Tupac’s and described him as “The brother could quote a million muthafuckas you know.”(Dyson, pg. 62) Tupac was an intellectual man which was stated before when Afeni Shakur acknowledged Tupac was a “Reading Gangster.” I agree that Tupac was a smart man because his work was like poetry, meaning that it is free for interpretation. Tupac was known to tell what he saw around his neighborhood, Tupac was a man that wanted to open the governments eyes to what was going on.
On a different note Tupac was also a sensitive man, loving and caring for the people in his neighborhood. I agree because before Tupac rapped about his life and the struggles he had as a child, Tupac was already a leader. Afeni recalled the time Tupac gave back “If they had too many [toys], they gave them away.” (Dyson, pg. 55) Tupac was much more to the community that what people originally thought. Early in the book Dyson brought the idea that people took offense about what Tupac was rapping about because it became too real. The higher authority did not like Tupac giving an insight into what people lived through in the “ghetto”. Tupac in was a sensitive for being there for his community from his youth on to his adulthood trying to change people.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas Books, 2006. Print.
Pablo R. Hernandez
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
29 September 2012
Response to Keelan Sunglao-Valdez
I agree with your reason on why the Black Panthers were defending themselves from the oppressor. I also agree that they were seen differently than what they stood for, which lead to Tupac thinking of creating a new Black Panther Party. It was stated that “Some saw him as the benighted successor to Huey, Eldridge, Bobby, and other bright stars of black subversion.”(48) Tupac learned from the Black Panthers and applied what he believed in to his rap. Tupac was not a man that rapped about wrongdoing, Tupac rapped about the realities and the hope of change.
Pablo R. Hernandez
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
29 September 2012
Chapter 3 freewrite
The main topic was that Tupac continued his studying even though dropped out of High school. Tupac became a highly intellectual man all by himself.
Tupac was a man that believed that the education system needed to be restructured. Dyson summed up Tupac’s interview with “It is clear that Tupac believes schools should address the pressing social issues of the day, and even more specifically, they should help youth confront the ills that directly affect them.”(77) I agree that our education system should be tailored to each states or local issues. Tupac mentioned that social issues need to be addressed in classes, I believe this should be done so young adults understand what is going on around them. The general population needs to learn what the problem is and to find a solution.
Tupac believed that school became repetitious and that all the classes became tedious. Tupac shared his idea in this statement “they tend … to teach you to read, write, and [do] arithmetic, then teach you reading and writing and arithmetic again, then again, then again”(77) I also agree that school has become repetitious, to keep the youths attention new classes need to be added to keep interest. School has become a goal that most achieve and everyone has the same knowledge, different zones of the United States need different higher learning. If one area has a high teen pregnancy rate maybe a sex education class needs to be started. Tupac brought out an important problem that needs to be addressed.
Tupac described himself as a socialite in high school which he craved for. Tupac made an important point in his quote “I think that we got so caught up in school being a tradition that we stopped using it as a learning tool, which it should be.”(76) I agree with this statement because I was the same in high school. Kids now in our country see high school as nothing, high school should be earned. Kids that do not take school seriously need to be challenged and pushed to earn a spot for the next level. I believe Tupac wanted better curriculum for kids so they can be fully engaged in classes and have the hunger to continue education.
Work Cited:
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas Books, 2006. Print
Emily Lam
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50am
30 September 2012
Responding to Stephanie's freewrite
I agree that the way how Tupac defended himself in that situation was just like his mother. The way how he defended himself and not allow himself to be disrespected like that, is something Afeni would have done if she was in the situation. It doesn't matter if that person was a boss, if that person is being unreasonable, that doesn't mean you should be disrespected at all. His mother acts the same way as well. I guess instead of saying like father, like son, in this case, it's more like mother, like son.
Work Cited:
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas Books, 2006. Print
Emily Lam
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50am
27 September 2012
Homework: Agree or Disagree with a Difference on Chapter 3
Agree
The main idea in No Malcolm X in My History Text is that school should offer classes that will benefit other people. In the book, Tupac recommended that going to school is to learn, but the school basically teaches the same thing over and over again. He thought that they should offer classes that could benefit anyone like classes about sex education, police brutality, or religious cults. Tupac was not talking about just reading books and looking at pictures, but he thought that they could actually have a real class about it. (Dyson 77). I agree that they should have these kinds of classes so that it could benefit others as they grow. I believe that the school system should teach these kinds of classes because this is what we will face when we live on our own in the real world.
Disagree
Tupac loves to learn and loves to read when he was young. He always likes to add more to his knowledge. At the same time, he always wanted to be famous and become a celebrity. One thing I disagree with him is that he should not have dropped out of school and started forming rap groups. If you actually think about it, once you finish school and you graduated, it would be better to form your own group afterwards. He could have received his education and his career. Plus his education was supposed to help his career grow big. I believed that Tupac could have least finished high school. “Tupac gained a reputation for his riveting acting but eventually left school after forming a rap group, the One Nation Emcees, with his roommates.” (Dyson 75). He should finish school while he is young and not leave school and start on his career.
Agree & Disagree
In this chapter, Tupac talks about how we live in a world that is supposed to be perfect, but in reality, it’s nothing like that at all. He said that, “We’re being taught to deal with this fairyland, which we’re not even living in anymore. And it’s sad, ‘cause I’m telling you, and it should not be me telling you. It should be common knowledge.” (Dyson 79). I agree with what Tupac said that everyone should be able to notice how the world is not, but at the same time, if we come to realized, it’s kind of our fault. I agree that people should know about this because we all live in the same world on the same earth. People have also noticed that more cracks are being handed to children and diplomas, but the thing is no one is really trying to make a change. Whose fault would that be? Wouldn’t it be their parents’ fault? We know certain things are bad for us, yet we still do it or let the world carry on with it and act like we never noticed that this is happening. We do wonder about why death rates are increasing, but if someone is actually willing to make a change, then we wouldn’t be wondering anymore.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Messi Chaib
Professor Wanda
English 1A 11-11:50am
30 September 2012
Free Write About"No Malcolm X in My History Text"
In “No Malcolm X in My History Text” by Dyson, Tupac is surely right about schools should address the pressing social issues of the day and help youth confront the ills that directly affect them. I agree with that because it is a good thing that children learn what are the social issues like drugs, poverty, suicides and sex problems, where it comes from, how to avoid it and how to face it while struggling with it. This helps children to stay away from it, be confident and do not do anything stupid while facing it. For example, poverty and drugs can lead to suicide or make crimes and sex problems such as doing sex in the early childhood or inappropriate sex can lead to illnesses like AIDS or create homosexual people. Children should be oriented at home by their parents and at school by teachers to keep them updated and supported.
Tupac argues that classes like writing, reading and arithmetic should be replaced by drugs, scams, sex and religious classes. I don’t agree with that because the purpose of education is not solving social problems but it is made to invent and create new things that help humans get by in this life and also find solutions for the social problems as well. On the other hand, sex and drug classes are included in classes like human science and biology. And religion class, for me, cannot be at school because we have many religions and everyone has his own religion so this class should be in Mosques or Churches. If we use school for social problems, we will not have any inventions and new creations and we will not develop our situations.
I agree with Tupac that social problems can be solved at school by creating drugs, sex and police brutality classes which are mostly things that confronted by black and brown youth and it is extremely unfair for those people. However, parents are the first responsible for keeping their children away from racism, drugs and police brutality. I assume that the exaggeration in understanding the term freedom in this country made people do not listen to their parents and do whatever they want and that helped parents to take care of themselves, enjoy their lives, stay away from their children’s problems and that made them lose control of their children. In addition, the problem of drugs, police brutality, and racism are rarely exist in other nations and the difference between today’s nations on term of development is made by education, not social problems.
Work Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Huller if you hear me: No Malcolm x in My History Text. New York: Basic Civitas Books, 2012. Print.
Messi Chaib
Professor Wanda
English 1A 11-11:50
Free Write about " No Malcolm X in My History Text"
In “No Malcolm X in My History Text” writen by Dyson,Tupac is surely right about,”Schools should address the pressing social issues of the day and help youth confront the ills that directly affect them”. I agree with that because it is a good thing that children learn what are the social issues like drugs, poverty, suicides and sex problems, where it comes from, how to avoid it and how to face it while struggling with it. This helps children to stay away from it, be confident and do not do anything stupid while facing it. For example, poverty and drugs can lead to suicide or make crimes and sex problems such as doing sex in the early childhood or inappropriate sex can lead to illnesses like AIDS or create homosexual people. Children should be oriented at home by their parents and at school by teachers to keep them updated and supported.
Tupac argues that classes like writing, reading and arithmetic should be replaced by drugs, scams, sex and religious classes. I don’t agree with that because the purpose of education is not solving social problems but it is made to invent and create new things that help humans get by in this life and also find solutions for the social problems as well. On the other hand, sex and drug classes are included in classes like human science and biology. And religion class, for me, cannot be at school because we have many religions and everyone has his own religion so this class should be in Mosques or Churches. If we use school for social problems, we will not have any inventions and new creations and we will not develop our situations.
I agree with Tupac that social problems can be solved at school by creating drugs, sex and police brutality classes which are mostly things that confronted by black and brown youth and it is extremely unfair for those people. However, parents are the first responsible for keeping their children away from racism, drugs and police brutality. I assume that the exaggeration in understanding the term freedom in this country made people do not listen to their parents and do whatever they want and that helped parents to take care of themselves, enjoy their lives, stay away from their children’s problems and that made them lose control of their children. In addition, the problem of drugs, police brutality, and racism are rarely exist in other nations and the difference between today’s nations on term of development is made by education, not social problems.
Work Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric.” Huller if you hear me: No Malcolm x in My History Text”. New York: Basic Civitas Books, 2012. Print.
Pablo R. Hernandez
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
29 September 2012
Chapter 3 freewrite
The main topic was that Tupac continued his studying even though dropped out of High school. Tupac became a highly intellectual man all by himself.
Agree
Tupac was a man that believed that the education system needed to be restructured. Dyson summed up Tupac’s interview with “It is clear that Tupac believes schools should address the pressing social issues of the day, and even more specifically, they should help youth confront the ills that directly affect them.”(77) I agree that our education system should be tailored to each states or local issues. Tupac mentioned that social issues need to be addressed in classes, I believe this should be done so young adults understand what is going on around them. The general population needs to learn what the problem is and to find a solution.
Disagree
Tupac believed that school became repetitious and that all the classes became tedious. Tupac shared his idea in this statement “they tend … to teach you to read, write, and [do] arithmetic, then teach you reading and writing and arithmetic again, then again, then again”(77) I disagree that school has become repetitious, school is repetitious so the information stays in a student’s mind. Graduating from a school has become a goal that most achieve through repetition. A national standard on education gives students the chance to compete in the country with the same knowledge.
Agree/Disagree
Tupac described himself as a socialite in high school which he craved for. Tupac made an important point in his quote “I think that we got so caught up in school being a tradition that we stopped using it as a learning tool, which it should be.”(76) I agree with this statement because I was the same in high school. Kids now in our country see high school as nothing, high school should be earned. Kids that do not take school seriously need to be challenged and pushed to earn a spot for the next level. However I also disagree because students have the option to succeed or not. If students want to change their lives for the better no matter where they live they can just by trying in school. Tupac stated that he was hungry for knowledge but only after he stopped going to school, if only Tupac had that hunger in school he would have a different opinion.
Work Cited:
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas Books, 2006. Print
Sam Everett
Professor Sabir
ENGL 1A 8-8:50
30 September, 2012
“No Malcolm X in My History Text”
Agree
I agree that we are not taught some things that we really must know because my experience in school confirms it. School shouldn’t just be for learning about random facts, it should be a place where people learn how to live safety, and successfully. Tupac dropped out of school and became a success, this shows school isn’t always necessary. Not everyone’s life will require a large understanding of math, writing, history, or science, but school can still be used to improve their character or help them to be safe.
Disagree
Tupac’s argument that school is not of great value rests on the assumption that Tupac got everything out of his education possible. In reality, Tupac never even graduated from high school. If Tupac really wants the credibility required to attack the American education system he should complete his education to get first hand experience with it. Jada Pinkett Smith, a close friend of Tupac’s brings attention to this problem when she says “He was a well-read brother. And I loved that because he always had something to teach me. And he didn’t graduate from high school” (Dyson, 71). Even though Tupac’s ideas may have been entertaining to listen to, they deserve no credibility.
Agree and Disagree
Though I concede that not everything we are taught in school will be used later in life, I still insist that the majority of what we learn is very important, and helps us make informed decisions later in life. Tupac points out that ancient civilizations have survived for very long periods of time without the education system that we see as vital (Dyson, 79). Even though this is true, we have a much higher quality of life. Being a human means much more then simply surviving, it means shaping the environment to meet desires. Education teaches us how to do this much better then the ancient humans did.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas.
Keelan Sunglao-Valdez
Professor Sabir
English 1A
11:00-11:50
September 30, 2012
No Malcolm X in My History Text
In the chapter “No Malcolm X in My History Text” of Dyson’s “Holler if You Hear Me,” Dyson addresses Tupac Shakur’s views on our country’s educational practices and the school system itself. Dyson explores Tupac’s own educational background, finding his source of knowledge and learning. Tupac ended his educational career when he dropped out of high school due to an unstable home and poverty. Though he dropped out early, Tupac never stopped obtaining new knowledge as he went on through life. Tupac surrounded himself with all kinds of readings and was infatuated with surround topics that were current at the time. His personal studies allowed him to be strongly educated in what he saw important. Tupac believed that the school system was lacking the teachings that would aid youth in preparing for the real world. (76-77) Tupac’s perspective was that schools were simply becoming a working routine and forgetting the real purpose of learning. I would agree in the fact that the idea of schooling has become a means of providing the credentials just to reach a higher education. Many are bound by requirements that force one to study a subject totally relevant to their interests. We forget that we attend school to enrich our interests and learn information that will benefit our lives.
Tupac believes that repetition is a method used to simply keep the learning busy.(77) I believe repetition is one of the strongest methods of learning. For example, mathematics requires much memorization and practice in order to effectively execute formulas and equations. Also, I believe it is a fallacy to claim that all schools have suffered in providing a useful education. There are many different programs that provide the youth and adults with a well needed education. Special programs focus on students own interests, honing in on their own skills and talents, while providing them with useful knowledge. It is a common misjudgement that all teachings are the same and really provide no honest information. This is a discouraging statement to any educator. Many of today's teachers are severely underpaid and pressured by budget cuts. Many of the teachers are also hindered by district regulations and requirements. It is educators that make their teachings their own passion, that provide a fruitful learning experience.
Education today is very widespread when it comes to subject matter. This can be viewed as a method of giving students a wide range of information that they pick through to find an interest and expand on it. This method can prove beneficial until a student is forced into learning something they may not seem useful or interested in. “I think [foreign languages] are important but... they should be teaching you English, and then how to understand double talk. Politics is double-talk.”(78) I agree with Tupacs argument that we should be taught major information that will have an impact on how we choose to live our lives. Only when we have a foundation and the knowledge of our surroundings, can we branch away and learn the things we see important and useful.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas.
Keelan Sunglao-Valdez
Professor Sabir
English 1A
11:00-11:50
September 30, 2012
No Malcolm X in My History Text
In the chapter “No Malcolm X in My History Text” of Dyson’s “Holler if You Hear Me,” Dyson addresses Tupac Shakur’s views on our country’s educational practices and the school system itself. Dyson explores Tupac’s own educational background, finding his source of knowledge and learning. Tupac ended his educational career when he dropped out of high school due to an unstable home and poverty. Though he dropped out early, Tupac never stopped obtaining new knowledge as he went on through life. Tupac surrounded himself with all kinds of readings and was infatuated with surround topics that were current at the time. His personal studies allowed him to be strongly educated in what he saw important. Tupac believed that the school system was lacking the teachings that would aid youth in preparing for the real world. (76-77) Tupac’s perspective was that schools were simply becoming a working routine and forgetting the real purpose of learning. I would agree in the fact that the idea of schooling has become a means of providing the credentials just to reach a higher education. Many are bound by requirements that force one to study a subject totally relevant to their interests. We forget that we attend school to enrich our interests and learn information that will benefit our lives.
Tupac believes that repetition is a method used to simply keep the learning busy.(77) I believe repetition is one of the strongest methods of learning. For example, mathematics requires much memorization and practice in order to effectively execute formulas and equations. Also, I believe it is a fallacy to claim that all schools have suffered in providing a useful education. There are many different programs that provide the youth and adults with a well needed education. Special programs focus on students own interests, honing in on their own skills and talents, while providing them with useful knowledge. It is a common misjudgement that all teachings are the same and really provide no honest information. This is a discouraging statement to any educator. Many of today's teachers are severely underpaid and pressured by budget cuts. Many of the teachers are also hindered by district regulations and requirements. It is educators that make their teachings their own passion, that provide a fruitful learning experience.
Education today is very widespread when it comes to subject matter. This can be viewed as a method of giving students a wide range of information that they pick through to find an interest and expand on it. This method can prove beneficial until a student is forced into learning something they may not seem useful or interested in. “I think [foreign languages] are important but... they should be teaching you English, and then how to understand double talk. Politics is double-talk.”(78) I agree with Tupacs argument that we should be taught major information that will have an impact on how we choose to live our lives. Only when we have a foundation and the knowledge of our surroundings, can we branch away and learn the things we see important and useful.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas.
Eric Mason
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
30 September 2012
" No Malcom X " Short Essay
The main ideas in " No Malcom X in my History Text " are Tupac's school years, and his learning. Even though he was considered one of the smartest, Tupac goofed off. He says, " I think that we got so caught up in school being a tradition that we stopped using it as a learning tool, which it should be ", says Tupac. (Dyson, pg 76) He admitted my generations problem in which we believe school is somewhere to hang out instead of enhancing our knowledge.
Tupac thought that the regular curriculum wasn't valuable because they didn't teach anything that prepared them for the "real world". He says, " to get us ready for today's world, [the curriculum], is not helping." (Dyson, pg 76) If schools chose to teach things that relates to everyday struggles, a lot of kids would prosper.
Instead of classes like Physical Education, he incisted the teaching of classes like " a class on sex education, a class on scams, a class on religous cults, a class on police brutality, a class on apartheid, a class on racism in america, and a class on why people are hungry", says Tupac. (Dyson, pg 77) He believed those classes were more valuable then those in the present curriculum. To Tupac, those classes represented everyday street life, and those classes could teach you how to be a survivor.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Jared Iulio
Professor Sabir
English 1A 1100-1150
09-30-2012
"No Malcomm X"
The central idea of "No Malcom X in my History Text" is Tupacs high school career (or lack there of depending on your view). Tupac referred to school as becoming more of "...a tradition that we stopped using as a learning tool, which we should be," (Dyson, 76). He went on to say that he was learning the basics, but for him they weren't basic. That the current curriculum wasn't sufficient in preparing the youth for the real world.
For the most part i agree with what Tupac believes about the public education system. I was one of those students that never did their homework, showed up late to class, and rarely ever participated when it came to group assignments. However, my tests scores (both in class and the California Standardized Testing) were all through the roof. This baffled my teachers, and i would simply explain to them that i saw no point in investing in a system that put to little effort into actually teaching the students any relevant skills and or abilities, it was simply something that society demanded that we take part in and i refused to contribute to such a pointless exercise.
I also agree with tupacs later point regarding switching some classes for others. "There should be classes on drugs ... sex education ... classes on scams ... religious cults" (Dyson, 77). There should definitely be classes specifically regarding topics that are relevant to TODAYS society, and that better equip the youth to handle modern societal issues.
Works Cited:
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd Ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Wei Zhang
Professor Sabir
English 1A
response to Bianca Hsueh`s freewriting
I do agree with Bianca, in chapter 2, the author expounds Black Panther Party divided families. The ideal of the Black Panther party is to against the social system of the US, they want to overthrow the capitalist system. Because of these, they must put the Black Panthers above their family.
It is unbelievable, for me, it is cruel and hard to bear. If someone ask me to leave my little daughter to enroll movement, I think he is a lunatic.
In chapter 3, the author use the poetry and prose the Tupac produced to express his life. The main idea of chapter 3 is all the things happened in Tupac`s high school year, and the author said “ I think that we got so caught up in school being a tradition that we stopped using it as a learning tool, which it should be ", says Tupac. (Dyson, pg 76) “He could quote Shakespeare. He read novelist Kurt Vonnegut and political theorist Mikhail Bakunin. He read books on anarchy and Platonism. He read Teilhard de Chardin’s Phenomenon of Man…JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, Homer’s Odyssey, Nietzsche, Freud, Jonathan Kozol’s Savage Inequalities, … Teachings of the Buddha” Tupac tried to learned more useful knowledge, but he also considered that regular curriculum wasn't valuable. He thought the students need to face to the real society after graduating, so teacher needs to give them more help about the actual skill.
Marco Gonzalez
Professor Wanda Sabire
English 1A 11-11:50
September 27, 2012
Agree/Disagree Chapter 2 Son Of a Panther
The main point of this chapter is to give insight, as to how Afeni’s involvement in the Panther Party played an crucial role in Tupac’s upbringing. Tupac was literally born into the Panther movement, as his mother gave birth to him just 3 days after her release from jail, where she was being held for her involvement in the Black Panthers in a case that would become known as the Panther 21. The author analyzes how being raised so close to the movement probably had a lot to do with both his successes and downfalls. I agreed with the majority of what the author had to say but there was one part specifically that I was skeptical about.
I agree very much with the theme of the chapter, which is clearly that Tupac’s upbringing was heavily impacted by the Panther Party, and the group’s ideology. Tupac was described by his godfather Geronimo Pratt as being “fascinated with the history of that which he was born into.” He was born into a group of philosophical thinkers who preached rebelling and questioning, against ideas that the capitalist society they lived in had formed. At a young age it was easy to see the Panther Party played a huge role in shaping this intellectual, he had an understanding for things that made him wise beyond his years. In an interview at age 17 in a discussion about moral and financial wealth he said “Because you know if money was nothing, if there was no money and everything depended on your moral standards and the way that you behaved and the way you treated people, we’d be millionaires. We’d be rich.” Tupac being the son of a Panther undoubtedly helped Tupac to embrace his culture and educate himself on his history, and the state of society, which would eventually shape his career.
The only part of the chapter that I did not agree with was the part in which the author describes Tupac as being very “conflicted” and “torn”. The author attempts to portray Tupac in his later years as being torn between Black Panther Revolutionist and his commercial image of Thug Life. From my experience and understanding of Tupac I feel his Thug Life image goes hand in hand with the idea of Political revolutionary. To me the image of the Thug Life promotes resistance and questioning of the constraints of society, very similar to Panther ideals. Tupac took the image of Thug Life not just for commercial purposes or popularity, but because it is a reflection of the experiences that shaped him, and many others that had to grow up with the disadvantages of being In a white man’s world. From the perspective of a fan I felt Tupac knew exactly who he was and what he wanted, and this alone is what made him so appealing and popular. All this ties back directly into his Panther roots that stayed with him throughout the entirety of his life.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Marco Gonzalez
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
September 27, 2012
Chapter 3 No Malcolm X in my History Text?
The chapter “No Malcolm In my Textbook” is a fairly interesting chapter that I agreed with for the most part. The main idea of the chapter is Tupac’s questioning of the school system as a whole, Tupac strongly feels the schools do not teach students enough of the right things, and deprive them of vital information about various aspects of life. Tupac was convinced that the usual school curriculum of Math, Science, English, and History did not prepare the vast majority of students for their life ahead. The chapter also shines some light onto Tupac’s more intellectual side, as he is described by many as one of the brightest minds you could meet. This chapter holds a lot of truth to it and I definitely agree with the majority of things said in it.
I totally agree with Tupac’s analysis and opinion of our nation’s school system, it is lacking of crucial aspects and needs revision. He felt that the school systems did not teach material that would be helpful at all to young people in today’s society, “I think that we got so caught up in school being a tradition that we stopped using it as a learning tool, which it should be.” (pg. 76 Dyson) This quote perfectly paraphrases my critique of the school system, which is essentially that the curriculum should be updated in order to have the most potential of properly preparing students for bigger and better things. I do not feel that school is totally useless, but speaking from my personal experiences the most important lessons are learned outside of that environment.
Secondly I very much agreed with Tupac’s mindset of always being inquisitive and seeking higher knowledge. Even the wisest of people can learn something new each and every day, this is because the people always seeking to learn more tend to be the wisest. Tupac being an avid reader and learner is something that is admirable to me in any person, because this is a sign that a person is open minded and usually in search of self improvement and knowledge. Tupac preached questioning and the pursuit of higher knowledge “I feel what Pac gave to me and gave to a lot of these cats is that you can be street, but you can be smart too.” (pg. 99 Dyson) This quote is very relatable to me because I felt that growing up many people felt that being smart or educated meant you weren’t “tough” or “cool”. I was blinded at one point in my life by this mindset but I was mostly against becoming educated on school curriculum because I found it useless and uninteresting.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Bianca Hsueh
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
30 September 2012
Chapter 3 Response
In Michael Eric Dyson's "Holler if You Hear Me", Dyson shows how Tupac viewed the education system in America. One of Tupac’s views on the education system that I agree and disagree with were that the school system did not need to teach academic courses such as math or science. According to Tupac, schools should have classes on sex education, drugs, scams, religious cults, apartheid, racism, brutality and many other issues that America is facing (Dyson, pg 77).I agree with Tupac that classes on sex education and drugs would be very useful for the youth in poor communities so that they do not ruin their future. These classes would help the students a great deal as students will then begin to understand the risks they are taking by selling drugs. All in all, the classes would reduce crime and help America to solve the poverty issue. Nonetheless, I also disagree with the view because I believe that th school needs to teach courses such as English and Math. These subjects teach kids about fields that the students can pursue in the future if they are interested. Therefore, classes that teach kids how to read and calculate are not completely useless for students.
Tupac also mentioned that the reason why people never wonder why the lower class has an economic struggle is because schools do not help students question the choices that the government and the society makes for us. Michael Eric Dyson mentions that, “It is also interesting to observe Tupac’s relentless efforts to link the economic and racial contexts of learning with the pedagogical and curricular strategies that are most likely to help poor black and Latino students” (pg 79). I agree with Tupac’s view that the school system is to blame for the reason why the lower class does not question their place in society enough. At school, students are not taught to see the inequality that is present in society, much less the ability to take action against the government. In order for the impoverished to take action, schools must prepare them on how to react properly to the government to create a change.
I disagree with Tupac’s view that because he could not stand his school’s teaching methods, he dropped out of school. Tupac did not want to attend a school that, “did not fit his view of the world” (Dyson, pg 85). Even if he did not agree with how the school was run, Tupac should have continued to attend school. Tupac’s actions show that he is not the type of person who will tolerate things when they do not go his way. In understand that he continued his education eventually, but I feel that he should have continued schooling even if he did not like what was being taught at his school; he cannot control everything.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Bianca Hsueh
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
30 September 2012
Response to Pablo Hernandez
I agree with you that Tupac’s works were ingenious. They were open to interpretation which means that they held a different meaning for every person who heard or read his works. However, even though they held a different meaning, they all held a message that Tupac believed was important for people to realize and act upon in the future. Whether it was something about how society ran or how the lower class suffers, Tupac made sure that his message got through to the people who saw or heard his work.
Nafi Watson
Professor Sabir
Eng. 1A 11-11:50 am
October 1, 2012
Agree or Disagree with a Difference
In chapter 3 “No Malcolm X is not my history text”, the main ideas were about how smart Tupac was in school and outside of school. It talked about how he would read different books and would educate himself with different genres of music. “He was clearly smart… he could quote Shakespeare but his knowledge didn’t end there” (Dyson pg.70) This chapter really made me realize how smart tupac was even though he didn’t finish high school he still managed to get his educate some kind of way.
I agree with this chapter because even though he didn’t graduated high school he was still smart enough to read books and listen to different types of music. This proves to show that you don’t have to go to school to become smart if you push yourself to do what you need to do to become an educated person then you will succeed in life. I know a lot of people that didn’t graduate high school but is successful to this day. I disagree with it because it is some things that you should go to school and learn such as math and science and other topics. And you need a high school diploma to get a job and or go to college.
I agree to disagree that this is a strong topic to argue because most people can say that you don’t need to go to school to become a smart person. You can make it other ways in this world. And some people would say that you do need to go to school and get an education so you won’t end up on the streets. But in Tupac’s case he proves that he made it without finishing school, but he made a choice to continue to educate him so he can be successful in life.
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Joseph Carlo O. Tolentino
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1A 8:00 – 8:50
1 October 2012
No Malcolm X in my History Text
Tupac Shakur has a very practical and innovative idea towards education. Though he had never graduated Tupac was still rather knowledgeable as quoted by Jada Pinkette Smith “He was a well-read brother. And I loved that because he always had something to teach me. And he didn’t graduate from high school” (Dyson 71). Through his well-read and experienced years he managed to think about how schools aren’t as effective and how monotonous they can be. He believes, and I agree, that schools simply give you a pattern of repeated courses while occasionally giving students one or two different subjects like Biology, and History. As Tupac quoted “they tend… to teach you to read, write, and [do] arithmetic, then teach you reading, writing, and arithmetic again, then again, then again”(Dyson 77), schools repeating the same subjects don’t necessarily help the students with their futures other than those three main courses. Yes, they are necessary, but one must wonder if the students will even use them all and not simply forgetting the lessons when their out of school. Tupac made a good point in saying that schools needed more diversity in their classes.
However, I do disagree with him pointing out that we had stopped using schools as a learning tool. While the system is flawed recently, schools still help develop the ability for students to learn and think for themselves. Not everyone can survive on the streets, and even Tupac can’t argue that it is downright dangerous to grow up in such a savage environment. Not to mention a majority of people who grew up in the streets creates more problems than solutions to everyone around them. Schools aren’t perfect and unlike what Tupac believes ancient civilizations are called ‘ancient’ for a reason. They no longer survived. Yes they don’t exactly have formal schools like we do, but ancient Greeks still had something akin to schools. Although not everyone managed to get an education henceforth, thousands of potential leaders and role models remained undiscovered. Tupac can’t really compare us to the ancients as they had a different lifestyle and had all crumbled down to history.
Now, while Tupac does bring up valid points I remain neutral on one of his ideas. I believe that while schools are influential to students and the younger generation, they can’t exactly direct a student if they aren’t willing to. There have been more cases drop outs every year, and sometimes it is because of the students themselves. Even the best schools to ever be created with helpful teachers get their fair share of drop outs once in a while. Let’s say that schools did give more versatility, perhaps this will make kids more interested, but then again, are there going to be enough students to fill in all those classes, let alone students who actually work hard. Yes more students might get interested in school again, but schools don’t exactly have the budget needed to make changes and hire enough teachers for those classes. Schools are already letting go of teachers as it is today and I highly doubt that this will improve anytime soon and work for all the students to remain attentive. Tupac needs to remember that while the school is at fault, majority of the problem involves the students themselves.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd edition. New York, NY: Basic Civitas. 2001. Print
luchanda Williams
Professor Sabir
English 1A
October 1 2012
Chapter 3
The main idea of this chapter focuses on Tupac's performance in school. It talks about how well he did and his love for books. i agree with Dyson when he says that " But police brutality, apartheid, and racism are of obvious relevance to poor black and brown youth" (Dyson pg 77). This is true because at the time most of the brutality being done by police was against people of color. Also they were in fact poor people.
I disagree when the writer states that "Tupac suggests that dull tradition is responsible for the deadening effect of passing on irrelevant knowledge from one generation to another."(pg77) I think at a young age most of the things we learn feel as if it will be of no use, but when we start getting older we begin to see the importance of it. For instance most people believe that the subject math is of no use but when we think about it math is used in our every day life, for example counting our change or how many pairs of shoes we have.
I agree/disagree with the writer when he states that "discussing the bland repetition of knowledge-""they tend ... to teach you to read, write, and do arithmetic, and teach you reading and writing and arithmetic again, then again, then again- Tupac suggests that the purpose of such pedagogical routines is " to keep you busy."" (pg77) I do agree that in school there is a lot of repetition involved but at the same time most of us if not all learn from repeating this wether it's reading over to understand of doing something more than once till we get it. I disagree that he thinks the purpose is to keep you busy because everyone learn at a different paste and since we are all in a classroom together those who learn at fast paste feel like it's a waste of time.
luchanda Williams
Professor Sabir
English 1A
October 1 2012
chapter 3
forgot work cite
The main idea of this chapter focuses on Tupac's performance in school. It talks about how well he did and his love for books. i agree with Dyson when he says that " But police brutality, apartheid, and racism are of obvious relevance to poor black and brown youth" (Dyson pg 77). This is true because at the time most of the brutality being done by police was against people of color. Also they were in fact poor people.
I disagree when the writer states that "Tupac suggests that dull tradition is responsible for the deadening effect of passing on irrelevant knowledge from one generation to another."(pg77) I think at a young age most of the things we learn feel as if it will be of no use, but when we start getting older we begin to see the importance of it. For instance most people believe that the subject math is of no use but when we think about it math is used in our every day life, for example counting our change or how many pairs of shoes we have.
I agree/disagree with the writer when he states that "discussing the bland repetition of knowledge-""they tend ... to teach you to read, write, and do arithmetic, and teach you reading and writing and arithmetic again, then again, then again- Tupac suggests that the purpose of such pedagogical routines is " to keep you busy."" (pg77) I do agree that in school there is a lot of repetition involved but at the same time most of us if not all learn from repeating this wether it's reading over to understand of doing something more than once till we get it. I disagree that he thinks the purpose is to keep you busy because everyone learn at a different paste and since we are all in a classroom together those who learn at fast paste feel like it's a waste of time.
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd edition. New York, NY: Basic Civitas. 2001. Print
Rachel Avalos
Professor Sabir
English 1A
8-8:50AM
1 October 2012
Tupac's Views Analyzed
The chapter in Michael Dyson's book, Holler if You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur, called “No Malcom X in My History Text Book” briefly goes over Tupac's views of the American school system among other things. I agree wholeheartedly when Tupac states that schools are not as useful as they should be by saying that “We got so caught up in school being a tradition” (Dyson 76). From elementary school on everyone is told that they need to go to college and get an education to be successful. The teachers rarely speak of any other employment except of careers after having spent a lengthy time and a huge amount of money on a degree, everyone is just teaching to a test so that the students can get to the next level and fulfill the tradition of acquiring diplomas. Tupac's thoughts, that the school curriculum is not helping kids prepare for the real world, are still applicable today when mostly the schools teach about how to take a test (Dyson 76). Highschool to elementary school teachers seem to spend less time teaching real-world lessons or explaining how the subject may relate to everyday life and more time teaching the information that is going to be on the state tests. Education appears to have become a competition about who remembers the most material and who knows how to take a multiple choice test.
During the interview Dyson is viewing Tupac says that learning a different language is useless. I completely disagree with the thought that learning new languages is pointless, with the internet it is easier to contact people from different countries. Furthermore, if the language being taught is a common language in the area then learning it definitely is positive. Being able to speak two or more languages helps when looking for a job, especially if there is a large population of people who speak a language other than English in the area. Despite the benefits to learning a different language Tupac states, “they should be teaching English...how to understand double-talk”(Dyson 78). English is taught at every single level of school, from spelling to grammar to analyzing written works. Generally a high school English class will teach a bit of critical thinking and logical fallacies. Critical thinking and learning about logical fallacies and how they are used in writing will help with learning how to understand politics. English classes may not be specifically for analyzing politicians and political agendas, but they do teach how to analyze writing which is integral in understanding what anyone has to say in an article or a speech.
Obviously Tupac did not think highly of the American Education system, although he was thankful for being taught how to read. Some of his ideas do not seem as correct today as they may have been when he was growing up, though, that could just be because of different locations of schools or different types of schools. He believes that “schools should address pressing social issues of the day” (Dyson 77). Tupac is correct that schools should talk about current events, but there are other ways to learn about current events as well, such as peers, parents or the internet. In the high school I attended in the history classes, sociology class, or government class current events were always discussed. Yet in the lower grades there was not as much talk about what was going on so Tupac is right in that aspect, children should be at least somewhat aware of what is going on in the world. Another topic I kind of agree with Tupac on is that schools are built on nostalgia (Dyson 79), in a way he is right and that all schools have their traditions, but the school system is always updating textbooks and information to stay mostly current. Although, the school system mainly does follow the same routine of teaching for every class; this will hopefully change in the future though.
Dyson, Michael. Holler if You Hear Me: Finding Tupac Shakur. New York: Civitas Books, 2001. Print.
Jesse Valdez
English 1A
Professor Sabir 8-8:50
1 October, 2012
No Malcolm X in My History Text
I agree with Tupac that sometimes school too focused on basic things or academic classes, such as math or science, and when we look at how it affects our life in the future, it doesn't usually help to know the area of a circle when trying to get a job or pay the bills. Not to say some of those subjects are useless, because there are some jobs that require that type of knowledge, but it would be more useful to have knowledge that many people would have to know, such as taxes.
I disagree however, that Tupac thinks some of the classes should include types of street smart. I believe sex education classes and classes on some drugs are good knowledge, but other classes he describes such as police brutality seems like it might be a little too opinionated under the tutelage of the wrong person. If that type of class were alive during the times of segregation, and was taught by someone who was extremely racist, they may have taught the class in a way where they constantly expressed their personal opinions and influenced the students so that they will have the same opinons. So parents should teach their children certain things such as this so they may express it to their child however they see fit, either biased or unbiased.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Jesse Valdez
English 1A
Professor Sabir 8-8:50
1 October, 2012
No Malcom X in My History Text Response
Response to Bianca Hsueh's post:
I agree with your opinions that certain classes on sex or drugs would be very beneficial to a student. I stated in my agreement similar to what you said, saying how classes like these are important to a student's life, and how knowing about these areas could decide the outcome of their lives. As an example, a student who is educated on the dangers of certain drugs may decline when offered, knowing that it could lead to addiction and worse. One who does not have such a good knowledge of those same drugs may not know the dangers of it and accept it, especially if the first time is free, thinking they can quit anytime they want if it becomes a problem.
Wai Man (Remy) Tang
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8-8:50 AM
1 October 2012
Chapter Three
Agree
Tupac believed that the school system needed to be changed and I agree with him. He thought that students were not learning anything that would help them survive in the society. All the schools were doing is giving us busy work to do, teaching us things that we learned already. I liked his idea of learning about the problems of society and understanding the politicians’ talk. I never really understood what politicians are talking about mostly because I did not know about the issues they were talking about and the confusing way they talk about them. I gave up watching them and decided that I did not want to vote for anyone. Most young people do not vote and I think some of them want to vote, but just does not want to sort through all the things they need to know before voting. Of course there are still others who simply don’t care. The only way people can fix the problems in our society is if we are able to make informed decisions and are able to figure out who really wants to help us fix them, and are not trying to get power. Tupac did not really mention all that I said above, but I think this would be one of the things he noticed a reformed education would make better for us.
Agree and Disagree
Tupac mentioned that he thought the White House should be turned into a homeless shelter since there was so much space that is left unused in it. I agree, but I think this is also a sort of rash move. Tupac did not think about the security problem that would rise. The president has to live and work there so it would be easy for a spy or killer to disguise themselves as a homeless person. I know that he wants the country to be leading the effort to help people that became homeless because they lost their jobs and no one is helping them back into society, but making the White House into a homeless shelter is not the way to fix the root of the problem. I think this idea would work though if the president moved to another location in a place that would not take an excess amount of space. Then using the White House as a homeless shelter would pose no problem at all. It will even help America’s image by portraying us as kind and caring country.
Disagree
I disagree with Tupac’s thinking that since he cannot learn anything from school that he should just drop out. I thought instead, he should have tried to change the school by staying in it. He thought the English and a few other classes were useful so all he had to do was try to make a petition for all students to sign and get them to help him change the foreign language and math classes into classes that helped students with understanding society’s problems and politics. It will be easy to convince students because we hate learning math anyway except for some students. Tupac wanted people to change the school curriculum but no one did. It is still the same today so obviously it would have been better if he had stayed in the school to try and change the system from within instead of relying on people who does not see a problem with the schools to change it.
Virginia Tan
Professor Sabir
Eng 1A 8:00-8:50
1 October 2012
Chapter 3: No Malcolm X in My History Text
ARGEE
One thing I agree with Tupac is that schools should have a better education system. I believe having classes about sex education, religious cults, America racism, and etc will benefit us. On the other side, if people have those problems in their family, the classes can help us. It will help us learn how to cherish ourselves and our lives. Also, there will be no chances of regretting on the things we did wrong.
DISAGREE
I disagree that Tupac dropped out of school just to form a rap group. I think it won’t hurt to have an education and a rap group at the sometimes. It is good to have high school education because it can help us to have a better career in the future. High school is a place where we gain most of our experience and knowledge; even though we are not planning to go to college it can still help us in anyway. Unlike universities colleges, high school is free we don’t have to pay a single penny. Last, it won’t affect your plans or anything.
ARGREE AND DISAGREE
I agree with Tupac’s quote that rich people should trade places with the poors. We should have the rich people to feel the feeling of being poor. Living in a small and dirty house instead of a big house where they sit back and enjoy their fans. However, we do not have a choice; we do not get to choose our own parent or the environment we live in. We just have to face the truth.
Fermin Carrera
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8:00-8:50AM
October 2, 2012
Agree or Disagree with a Difference
At only seventeen, Tupac has a powerful mid set of certain things and one of them is public education and the public school system. What Tupac describes as what he was learning by going to school were only the basics to get them ready for the world but not ready enough. Tupac was taught pretty much only writing and arithmetic. Tupac believed that these two things were not enough for the student to survive in the world in which they live. Tupac had other ideas of how the public education should work and it begins with the public Education system.
Tupac believes that if the youth wants real education, then classes about current life issues should be applied in the school systems. Classes such as sex education, “a real sex education class, not just pictures and diagrams, and illogical terms.” (Dyson p.77) To sum it all up, Tupac would want the schools to have classes that would enhance the skills of the youth in their future. “ It is clear that Tupac believes schools should address the pressing social issues of the day , and even more specifically , they should help youth confront the ills that recently affect them.”(Dyson p. 77) It is clear that Tupac suggest that there should be effective counseling for student I order to help them deal with their life issues. By having certain classes that can teach them, they will be able to understand more clearly why certain things happen. Tupac also believes that if the youth learns about economy, racial contexts then they the black and the Latino youth will be able to enhance their life skills. In the end, Tupac believed that there was no support of the schools officials in teaching the youth on how to succeed in life but dealing with problems of the world.
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Fermin Carrera
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8-8:50 AM
October 2, 2012
In Response to Eric Mason.
I definitely agree with what Eric Mason i had to say because I myself had very similar idea to what he said in blog post. Learning the basics of school is not enough to help the student succeed in life because we as student nee to be taught the current issues that happen in our everyday life. If the youth is able to understand why certain things that happen that perhaps affects them in the future, the student who learned about the issues will know how to deal the problem if they are to encounter then later on as they grow.
Fermin Carrera
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8-8:50 AM
October 2, 2012
In Response to Eric Mason.
I definitely agree with what Eric Mason i had to say because I myself had very similar idea to what he said in blog post. Learning the basics of school is not enough to help the student succeed in life because we as student nee to be taught the current issues that happen in our everyday life. If the youth is able to understand why certain things that happen that perhaps affects them in the future, the student who learned about the issues will know how to deal the problem if they are to encounter then later on as they grow.
Jeannae Williams
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8-8:50am
2 October 2012
Agree:
I agree with Tupac on how learning should be more of a tool then just a tradition. It's alot about my African American history that i don't know about, because growing up and attending certain schools my history was taught to me as a youth. All things I learned in middle school and high school none of that material have I used in my world that i can re-call except for a little bit of mathmatics. I can vouch on the streets teaching me more real life knowledge than schools I have attended. School is suppose to keep one busy sometimes homework that's given should not have been homework to take home. School is suppose to be fun plus at the same time learing something most of all.
Disagree:
I didagree with Tupac about their should be a class on hunger. It is common sense why someone would be hungry. Either, that individual have not eaten, homeless, to busy to staop and eat, but it could be many reason's why a person is hungry, keep in mind, it is on his/her problem to get the proper nourishments unless one is an infant, toddler or new born. Like God said in the bible Matthew Chapter 6 versus 25-34. That's why I disagree about a class of people being hungry.
Agree&Disagree:
I agree with tupac on having a real sex education class with a man and a women demonstrating sex and the procedures of how to have safe sex in the process and to display the out come of not having safe sex. Then again, I would have to disagree because really that's that child's parent job to educate their children about sex education. opening up and being frank about how important sex is and the pro's and con's. Having a sex education class live and direct for the children will become many horny students watching an activity in such matter, but others will be mature.so, I agree and disagree at the same time but it could be great and maybe not so great.
Davian Grant
English 1a
Professor Sabir
8-8:50
October 1 2012
I Agree with Tupac’s statement that “ we get so cought up in school being a tradition that we stopped using it as a learning tool, which it should be”. Now children only care about popularity and having fun that they forget the real reason why they are there. Many drop out simply because they think that they “cant fit in” or because their friends think school is stupid. Why go to school when you can rap? Also the things that is being taught is sometimes not relevant. Most of it is out dated information which has no place, it doesn’t help with the current situations of today.
I disagree with tupac’s statement about children dropping out of school to start rap groups. While most do this, it is not always because they want to rap, but simply because they become cynical and think that they would just be wasting their time going to school, only to go to jail later. Thoughts more similar to tupac’s
I Agree/disagree with the statement “the let you go as far as you want, but as soon as you start asking too many questions, boom. That black will come”. They will only stop you when you start provoking. Thought asking some questions will be provocative, there are ways to get around them.
Antionette Armour
Professor Sabir
Eng 1A 8-850
1 October 2012
Freewrite: No Malcolm X in My History Text
Agree
In Tupac Shakur’s autobiography, Holler If you Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur, written by Eric Dyson, Dyson provides his audience with Tupac’s approach to the educational system through his past interviews. Tupac dropped out of school in high school and decided to pursue his rap career with his friends. Tupac was very intellectual; however, he critiques the school system and the lesson plans that are taught to the students, which in reality does not prepare them for the real world. He also suggests many classes that would keep his peers more engaged into school, “There should be a class on drugs…there should be a class on why people are hungry” (77). I agree with Tupac on premise that every generation have societal problems that are different from the generation before them and the “basic” lessons that are taught should be based on the issues that are effecting the youth at that time. Also, students spend most of their time at school, which is like their second home, so there needs to be real pictures painted for these students.
Disagree
Tupac says that his knowledge of the world that were surrounded by and basic survival skills comes from the streets (77). I have to disagree with Tupac because the streets cannot teach you how to survive in this world, yes it shows you the societal problems that they face and how they have little help, but it teaches you have to live a life “thug life” that makes you hate the system more than fixing it. I disagree with the education system on so many levels; however, in order for us to change it we must first learn it and the streets will not help us do that.
Agree/Disagree
I disagree/agree with Tupac when he says that the people are not using school for learning purposes; however, they are just using as a way of life because everyone else before us has (76). Education is very fundamental and maybe we do not learn the key things in high school but in college, we are served the best learning tools that anyone can receive. I think that is the secret to successfulness and knowledge, receiving higher learning because it is more informative and it teaches you about the world around us that we never noticed.
Works Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Thany Ouk
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
5 October 2012
Agree or Disagree: Chapter 3
In the chapter "No Malcolm X in My History Text," the main focus is Tupac and his education. Although he didn't graduate from high school, he was intelligent in his own way. It wasn't that he thought that about himself, but people around him seen it in him. "Tupac Shakur was always hungry for knowledge..." (Dyson, 70) This quote makes me realize that Tupac observes life in a different way than others and that makes him who he is. He likes to go further in education and learn more about why this and why that. Instead of ordinary subjects that are taught in school, he thought, why not teach about drugs, police brutality, and sex-ed. He thought this way, teens can protect themselves because these are the types of things that some experience throughout their life.
I somewhat agree because even though some people don't accomplish school, it doesn't mean that they don't know much. Some people learn about life and get their education and intelligence from more than just school. Tupac is a great example of how some can succeed throughout obstacles and leaving important pieces behind.
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Makonnen Richardson
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8-8:50
Oct.5 2012
Dyson starts off talking about how Afeni influenced Tupac after joining the Panther Party which made him think about creating another Panther Party after the failure of the the fist Party Afeni was invlved in during chapter 2 "The Son of Panther". I agree with this idea because Tupac was basically living in the streets from the beginning, trying to find his own way as a man while pointing out the injustice and unfairness of black youth in a white mans society.However its debatable that Tupac wouldnt have thought of the idea if not for the pre-existence of the Panther Party with a nonviolent approach. Noting that Afeni payed way more attention and effort into the party itself rather than her own children, Tupac states how this inevitably affected his general outlook on the idea of it all.
On the other hand I disagree with the idea that Afeni was Tupacs main influence mainly because of his upbringing. Afeni did not take care of him and he was always alone or with his crew in his developing stages so attention from his mother was never really there. His environment and mentality gave him the push or influence to pursue what he did. In his own words,"I do not know where my food comes from."Being in poverty and in such poor living conditions is only an affirming reason to find justification in the violence and "Thug Life" activities he was accustomed to.
Finally, I agree that Afeni influenced Tupac with her inner strength, courage, and persistence which now exemplifies as a family trait. Through her story as told in the previous book, what she been through and then overcame gave Tupac wisdom. For example,Afeni was always arguing other people's ideas and following what she felt was right, even if the action needed deemed "rebel". Tupac did the same thing when he was working inside a freezer for a white man and he did not like that and he said to his friends,"why do we work for white man?", a question often asked but never definitively answered. In many ways they are alike, both rebel and intelligent with a drive.Not knowing his father and never fully building a healthy kinship with his mother however, his environment is where he built his own ideas and persona through experience.
Work Cited
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. New York, NY: Basic Civitas
Kovida U said...
Free Writing: of "How long will they mourn me"
Kovida U
Prof: Wanda Sabir
English 1A
Sep, 13, 2012
"How long will they mourn me" it refers to the lost of close friends, homies. When loosing somebody close the grief is great but he wonders for how long this grief will last and he asks himself when this will happen to himself for how long people will mourn him. In this song it is express the sentiment of loosing somebody that is consider as a brother as it is expressed in the verse "Tell me Lord, why you take big Kato?”, loosing a friend is like going crazy as he says "I can't take it, I'm losin' my fuckin' mind". Tupac in this songs recognizes that what happen to his friend will also happen to him in fact in the following verse he says:
"See you in the crossroads real soon
For now let me pour out some brew
I'll be always thinkin' of ya homie
Rest in peace"
In fact at the end Tupac dies after living a life that was successful but as well turbulent. I believe that Tupac choose to live the life that he wanted to be.
Work cited:
Shukur, Tupac Amaru. "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" Thug Life: Volume 1. Out Da Gutta/Interscope/Amaru, 1994.
Dyson, Michael E. "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" in Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur. New York: Basic Civitas Books, 2001. Print.
1:56 PM
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