Monday, September 08, 2008

 

Chapter 1: Dear Mama

Post your summaries for Dear Mama here. Also you can post your reflections on the song: Dear Mama. (We will listen to the song in class 9/10 and also write.) Compare and contrast Dyson's first chapter and Tupac's song. Where do the ideas converge, and where, if they do, do the ideas diverge?

You do not have to post the second part of the assignment, the response to the song, in advance.

Comments:
Sara Yusufi
English 201A
MW 1-2:50 pm

“Dear Mama” Reflection

In this section Tupac’s relationship with his mom is very close. She as a mom has went through a lot from her childhood. And then when Tupac was born she faced various different stages in their lives. Afeni Shakur was a mom who had a lot of impact on her son. “As her son’s influence has grown, so her stature as a skilled adjuctator of competing images in his outsized mythology” (Dyson 23). Afeni seemed to grow as a person herself while her son seemed to learn from her. Afeni had a difficult road of life with Tupac; she was pregnant by two men when Tupac was born. When she was only four months pregnant she wanted to give him to her sister but when he was born she was able to realize that Tupac was a new stage of her life.
Afeni Shakur was an impact in her son’s life. Yet that doesn’t necessarily mean that she was a positive impact because at most points she was a negative impact. “Tupac had sacrificed his bright future at the Baltimore School for the Arts to escape his mother’s addiction, her foul treatment at the hands of a violent boyfriend, and trauma of moving from home to home” (Dyson 37). Tupac was willing to leave an important part of his life because of his mom. He respected his mom so much that he understood that she was in a wrong relationship and he also probably hated the fact that hey constantly were changing homes. His childhood was not very educational and will impact his life.
Tupac had one thing done that might have been very helpful for him when he grew up. His mom used her past to show her son what is right and what is wrong. “Afeni’s life- its heartbreaks, setbacks, failures, contradictions, tragedies, and triumphs- was placed before Tupac as a road map and object lesson” (Dyson 38). They went through so much when as she raised him as a single parent. They had to face so many different faces of life. For example they were both put in prison at different times for different reasons. Yet they passed those times and used their past as an example to start a brand new life. They tried to make as many changes as possible; that’s why Tupac always sang about what he thought was right or things that were happening in society.
 
Dalena Tran
English 201A
MW 1-2:50

"Dear Mama"

Michael Eric Dyson, author of Holler If You Hear Me, begins the chapter with "Dear Mama." A story that invites readers to sense the relationship that Tupac and his mother, Afeni Shakur, share. "Dear Mama" was a song that Tupac has written dedicated to his mother. Since he was a child, he had adored and appreciated his mother in significant ways.
Afeni Shakur was described to be a woman of intelligence and a fighter. She was an "emergency substitute teacher caught up in the bitter racial politics of New York in the 1960s" (Dyson 24). Because of her strong belief in racial rights she was arrested. After she was bailed, she was pregnant with Tupac Shakur. Not only was she a heroic figure to Tupac, but she was a part of an important fight that influenced many.

After her bail, Afeni began to struggle through more obstacles as she was a single black mother and a former New York 21 who was also raising money for the cause. To be well fed, she said that she "had to get a court order so that I could have one egg and one glass of milk every morning" (Dyson 30). Although it was a huge struggle for Afeni, she fought it through in order to protect her baby.

What was important to Afeni was keeping her child alive. She always wanted to "give her son a sense of racial pride and personal security" (Dyson 31). She wanted her baby to be proud and strong. She did not want her child to suffer through the racial descrimination that she had to go through. Afeni did whatever she had to do in order to give her children a naturing and safe life.

Through her struggles as not only a single mother, but a black single mother that lived during the time of racial descrimination, Afeni continued to fight for not only herself, but for her children. She was a part of a revolutionary, which has inspired her child, Tupac Shakur in ways that allowed him to also be an inspiration. Tupac was heavily influenced by his mother as he stated, "the way my mother brought me up is no lies [...] Everything is real in this society" (Dyson 37). His song "Dear Mama" was a dedication for his mother's past. It was his way of saying thank you for her courageous works.
 
Melissa Mah
English 201A
1-2:50 PM

"Dear Mama"

In the first section of the novel Holler If You Hear Me by Michael Eric Dyson, Tupac speaks adoringly of his mother. He describes the relationship between a mother and a son as very close, almost as close as his relationship to god. He explains how African American mothers are different, especially if they are living in poverty. The mothers usually had to raise their children by themselves, most children of the ghetto had very little to no paternal support. He also states that mothers of the ghetto always dress manly and tough to give off the visage that they are tough and should not be messed with. In poverty Mother’s Day is often praised because it shows mothers how much their children appreciate what she has done.

Afeni Shakur, Tupac’s mother, is a very strong willed women, and her courage and creativeness has influenced Tupac to become a good songwriter. Afeni used to be a member of the Black Panther’s, where she met Tupac’s father(s), but was arrested for being accused of planning to bomb several department stores in New York. After bail, Afeni had gotten pregnant with Tupac, but the father of Tupac was not determined. She then had to raise baby Tupac on her own. Afeni hoped that her sister would help her raise the child because she was still part of the Black Panthers and wanted to further her membership. But later then decided to raise the child on her own.

Afeni was born in North Carolina, but then moved to New York at the age of 11, like Tupac, she did not really keep contact with her father, but knew that he came from a family of very successful people. Unfortunately for her mother’s side, they came from a slave family. Afeni lived in the era of the Ku Klux Klan, and always had to be home by 10. She was a very bright child and attended a performing arts school, like Tupac. Afeni later had a daughter named Sekyiwa with a man named Mutulu Shakur.

Tupac’s song “Dear Mama” is dedicated to his mother life, and his relations with his mother. He emphasized on the difficulties and sufferings a poverty stricken single mother had to go through to be able to provide resources for her children. He described his mother in a heroic light because of the difficult obstacles she had to face to get her children to where they are now. He states that he is who he is because of his mother, and that he greatly appreciates what she has done for him.
 
Albert Dennie
Eng201a 1-2:50
9/9/2008

“Dear Mama”

The first chapter of “Makes Me Wanna Holler” Eric Dyson speaks of Tupac Amaru Shakur’s unconditional love for his mother. It is stated that even though the tribulations that his mother endured such as being a “crack fiend” (Dyson 23). Even though the relationship between Afeni and Tupac was devoted it was just as turbulent. When Tupac moved out on his own he had come to face the realization of sacrifices his mother made and he respects her as a mother and a woman for what she went through and did. Tupac embraces his mother by being honest about their life experiences when he is also childing his mother. This is what makes him an artist who can describe his mother in one artistic gesture.

“My moms is my homie” (Dyson 21) Dyson explains the love that most “blacks” and “Hispanics” have for their single parent mothers. Due to the father being absent in most of our lives, Dyson states that the media capitalizes against single mothers who find that physical reprimanding works. It is stated that long-limbed players or celebrities often say “hi mom” when doing an interview. Is this due to the absently fathers? It is also stated that most people tend to use “Yo Mama” to crack jokes or draw laughs. Is this showing the true love that one has for their mother?

Afeni Shakur who was born Alice Faye Williams was a revolutionary and a scholar. She had lead the New York women’s chapter of the “New York 21” she was displayed as a “Radical Chic” in which she truly was. She was arrested when she was pregnant with Tupac Amaru Shakur or Lesane Parish Crooks as he was named when he was born. She knew that something good was coming out of this child. With only 1 month to go in her pregnancy Afeni was acquitted of her revolutionary of friends. Afeni explains all the embarrassment she put her mother through becoming a revolutionary or a “Radical Chic”. She states that while incarcerated her mother came to see her but was in so much embarrassment she could not speak of her daughter’s name. Afeni slowed down after Tupac was born and got addicted to cocaine or “Crack” as it is called in the “streets”. Afeni had tremendously impacted Tupac and he took after his mother. Fighting for a cause they were both deemed “revolutionaries”.
 
dear moma reflective essay
dear moma reflective essay

Dion cade
English 201b

dear moma


Tupac has always had love for his mom whether other people knew it or not. He wanted to show her and others that he really cares for her and feels her pain and what she had to go through in order for him to be alive and be able to learn and reach out to people to apply his knowledge. In the chapter of Dear moma, Dyson explains that many people who live in the hood really understand what there moms have to go thru because they most of the time have to raise a child on there own with no father. In this case, they have more respect and love for their mothers. In Tupac's song,Dear Moma, he points out the good and the bad things about her and how her personality reflects him. Tupacs personality reflects his mother's past decisions and possibly the reason behind his violent past. Tupacs point is to show that even though he was a gangster and a thug and sold crack on the streets and had a violent mind, he always knew that his mom was there for him no matter what and she never gave up on him.
The good things about her was that even though she worked hard, even until late night, she still managed to care for tupac by giving him good meals to eat. He said that she was a miracle worker on thanksgiving which might mean that she cooked all kinds of things on that day. She was someone that he could go and talk to and share his feelings. He also reffered to his mother as his "homey." His mom built him up to become what he had become and what he still is today.
The bad things about his mother was that she was addicted to crack. She was also a black panther so it was hard for her to get a job based on her political status. No one wanted to hire her. she also had to move around a lot from one shelter to another which didn't give tupac the chance to make friends. They lived in New York, the Baltimore ghettos, and Marin County in California. Sometimes him and his mom would argue also which kind of affected there relationship. She could not stop taking drugs and so that affected not only Tupac, but his acquaintances as well like Jada Pinkette Smith.
Despite all of the bad things that tupac may have done, he will always have something good inside of him and that would be his mother. They managed to have a great relationship together and he made a song that tributed to her that others can relate to as well. No other hip hop artist has done what tupac has done before and that is honoring their mother. Most of the time these days rappers always disrespecting women and put them down. But with Tupacs song, that shows that their is still hope. Still a chance for more and more people to follow in the footsteps of Tupac's good ways. He may have also disrespected women also, but his care for his mother shows that he would never ever disrespect her. He had to show her that he understood that she was appreciated.
 
Joshua Brown-James
English 201A
1-2:50pm

Chapter 1 "Dear Mama" Summary

In chapter 1 of the book Holler if You Hear Me by Michael Dyson titled Dear Mama, Dyson starts he chapter by stating that all black males have deep love for their mothers much like Tupac did because of the simple reason that they raised us by themselves. He continues to say how blacks acknowledge thier mothers for their strong parenting and love. Tupac and his mother had a very close relationship which made Tupac who he was, Tupac was much like his mother in the things he did and the ways he acted. Dyson explains where Tupacs mom Afeni was raised and what her childhood was like. Afeni was born in 1947 in North Carolina was in the mist of all the racism that was going on at the time this made her strong and she learned to fight back. She was a "street child" much like Tupac was in his young adult ages. The chapter goes on to talk about how Afeni was a power revolutionary, she was president of the Disciple Debs and apart of the Black Panther Party. She was arrested and sent to jail she was later bailed out to find out she was pregnant but sadly she was ordered back to prison while pregnant. She had many miscarriages and thought she would never be able to have a baby but when she was pregnant with Tupac she knew he was going to be something special because he wasn't suppose to be here. The chapter later goes on to talk about how Tupacs mothers addiction to crack which cause a broken home for the fifteen year old Tupac. an interested part of the chapter for me was on page 35 towards the end of the second paragraph which talks about how the government looked the other way while crack came into black and brown ghettos. I couldn't believe this section and I wonder if there is any truth to it. the chapter goes on to talk about how Tupac often fought with his mother and challenged her which she later finds out was a good thing. He often had open conversations with his mother about anything because the had somewhat of a good bond. Tupac met Jada Smith while they were in school together and they became close friends because of the same problems in the home they had they could connect. Jada thought highly of Tupac but he didn't think that of himself "Because of his relationship with his mother , he didn't have a good opinion of himself." this was awful because in a way it seems that his mother made him who he was and he had to learn to break apart from that and think greatly of himself which he later did. the chapter ends by saying how Tupacs mother Afeni was recovering from her drug addictions for nearly a year but Tupac didn't care he wrote her a long nine page letter saying so "you cannot erase every single thing that you've done. You cannot expect me to believe that you have changed simply because you said so." This was harsh but at the same time true because she had to prove herself to him which wasnt easy to do. The end of the chapter says that the reason Tupac turned out the way he did was because no one really looked out for him and helped to raise him "he was one of the ones we just let fly by." she notes "and i think were all held accountable for that." said actress LaTanya Richardson. I agree with her statement because if more people would have looked out for him and cared about him he wouldn't have went through all the struggles he did and might still be here today.
 
Janice Ratcliff
English 201A-B
1-2:50


“Dear Mama”

Tupac had a very close relationship with his mother. He knows his mother struggled trying to raise him as a man without his father being around. Living in the ghetto without a father and watching your mother struggle effected a lot of young children, especially when there is other siblings younger than you, now the responsibility falls on the older brother or sister, and it mainly falls on the brother.

Mothers raising their children does not just effect the black family culture, but other cultures too, like the Hispanic family, anyone that lived in the ghetto, mostly there was no father or husband around to help out. This is why Mother’s Day is a genuine holy day especially for African Americans.

Afeni, knew Tupac was going to be special, because she has had miscarriages before Tupac was born. If you look at reality, Afeni and Tupac went through the same similarities, like they both went to prison for different reasons, but through it all they was still able to rise above it and Tupac was able to share his reflection of pain through his mother.
 
Lisa Ryan
English 201A
MW 1-2:50

“Dear Mama”
In the chapter entitled, “Dear Mama” Dyson talks about the relationship between Tupac and his mother Afeni Shakur and the struggles that she faced in her life. Their relationship was as at times disturbed and at other times affectionate. As you learned more about Afeni’s experiences and choices you understand why. Afeni was not the best mother as Tupac grew up but Tupac still loved his mother as most Black and Brown people do. In his lyrics, Tupac wouls praise his mother at the same time he would scold her, however this in no way devalued the love he had for her. Dyson states, “He is capable of both embracing and chiding his mother in a single artistic gesture”. This displayed that he was man enough to show the world that his mother was no different than our mother’s.
Afeni endured many obstacles in her life some of her own doing. Before Tupac was born she was a force to be reckoned with, she was intellectual gifted and a leader in her own right. She became a member of the Black Panther Party and was committed to the movement and excelled in her role as a speaker for her chapter. She like Tupac through his lyrics was a powerful and informed speaker and people listened to what she had to say, her words were powerful. I’d like to think that she passed this same gift to her son. Many of her struggles as well as her successes were very similar to Tupac’s, they were so much alike. Dyson stated”, but paying attention to Afeni’s struggles may shed light on the conflicting ideological and existential trances that bewitched Tupac the artist and man. The truth in this statement will makes you shiver, because the more I learn about Afeni, I see Tupac.

Afeni struggled through a crack addiction and the abandonment of her children which wrecked havoc on Tupac. He fought with his feelings of love and hate for his mother and would not let her forget the pain she caused him, through his actions and his lyrics. Even so, Afeni still tried to reach her son with messages of love and direction through her own poetry and words. She wanted him to learn through her mistakes so that he would not have to repeat them. She taught her kids to take responsibility for their choices and action and Tupac unknowingly adhered to her messages through his music. “He expressed gratitude for Afeni’s heroic persistence in the face of both her self destruction and obstacles thrown in her way by a callus society”. In the end he forgave his mother and through his lyrics he let the world know.
There is also some insight from Jada Pinkett Smith one of Tupac’s good friends. The two attended school together at, Baltimore’s School of the Arts. She states, “His deepest feeling about himself is that he didn’t feel he was shit”. Could this have been a result of his struggles which ultimately lead to his self destruction?
 
Renee Dumaguit
Eng201B
1-2:50pm

"Dear Mama" Summary:


Tupac's mother had a very rough life. This chapter shows that Tupac's mother had to struggle from the moment she was born. Not only did she change her slave name to Afeni, but she did it for the best. She used the family name "Shakur" instead of her birth surname because she wanted a change in her life. She wanted a better life for her children and herself.

"When Afeni became pregnant, she hoped that her sister would raise her child,...(30)." Afeni thought that that she would be senteced to prison for a very long time because of her involvement in the Black Panther life. She was assured that she would be convicted.

There's a lot of understanding of Tupac's past. In this chapter, it brings out the backgrounds of his song "Dear Mama," and "represents Tupac's public peace with his mother's painful past(44)." Even though Afeni was using coke, Tupac never gave up on her. He gave his mother the push she needed to quit her addiction. Her kids supported her to stay clean. Now that her life has changed, she realizes that it was all for the best in her kids interest.

"Tupac's birth signified a new stage in Afeni's life(30)." From the moment Afeni was pregnant with Tupac Amaru Shakur, she knew that he was something very special and would change the world.
 
While reading this chapter I learned about the importance of family value according to the Shakur family. Although his mother was a crack addict he recognized how much his mother meant to him. The record "dear mama", Tupac declares his love in a moment of unsparing criticism: "And even as a crack fiend mama/ you always was a black queen mama." Even though Tupac named afflictions with his mother he valued her love.

Afeni was very protective of her children. With or without crack,
Afeni always had a tremendous amount of love for her children. While in jail Afeni was pregnant; she wanted her sister to raise her child. "I had never been able to carry a child past three months of pregnancy." Tupac was in Afeni's belly while she was in jail. Tupac's birth signified a new stage in Afeni's life.

Throughout Tupac's childhood he struggled through proverty and
hardships. Tupac believed his childhood prepared him to live a stronger adult live, rather than being spoiled in his youth. In Tupac's youth Afeni would writer poems for him stating "I basically wanted him to be able to make his own decisions, understanding that I would much prefer him to make his own informed decisions than for him to follow what I said all the time, because that could end up killing him".

Actress Jada Pinkett Smith was familiar with Tupac. Both were
students at Baltimore's school for the Arts. “Were a lot alike in a lot of ways" recalls Jada Pinkett Smith. “Very opinionated,very
passionate. The chemistry between both consisted of a understanding
relationship. Both their mothers were using at the time, so their bond grew that much stronger.

Tupac wasn't comfortable being good because he knew he wasn't
seen in the light. It wasn't expected for Tupac to be good, so he tended to do the opposite of what he really wanted to show. "So Tupac played up his image of being tough and fatally tethered to badness."

-Sameela Smith Eng.201A
 
Kiara Perine
English 201
September 9, 2008

Dear Mama- Free write

In the song Dear Mama, Tupac expresses his feelings for his mama. He explains to us the good and the bad. He lets us know how he appreciates he mother for the things she’s done for him. Tupac gives us an experience on how it is for a single black mother to try and raise a boy into a young man, but at the same time going through her own personal struggle. Tupac really had no father figure so he hung around with all the thugs and drug dealers, because they were like his only source of a father.

Evidence #1:
“I finally understand for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man you always was committed A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it”

Evidence #2:
“Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place.”

Evidence #3:
“And I could see you comin home after work late. you’re in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate….Ya just workin with the scraps you was given
and mama made miracles every Thanksgiving.”


Evidence #4:
“And even as a crack fiend, mama
you always was a black queen, mama.”

Evidence #5:
“Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama………And I appreciate, how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me.”

EVIDENCE #6:
“Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there he passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger wouldn't let me feel for a stranger they say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along
I was lookin for a father he was gone I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs they showed a young brother love.”
 
Francisco Marcial
English 201 A
MW 1-2:50 PM

“Dear Mama”

In the first chapter of the book “Holler If You Hear Me” by Michael Eric Dyson, Dyson is telling us about the big relationship that Tupac Shakur and his mother Afeni Shakur shared. Afeni Shakur and Tupac had a really good relationship and Tupac even said “My mom is my homey” (Dyson 21). Tupac says that he loves his mother even though she made a lot of mistakes in her life that affected their whole family. Tupac said that african american mothers that live in the ghetto and are poor are really different compared to the other mothers. They are pretty different because most of the african american mothers that live in the ghetto raise their children alone, by themselves.

Afeni Shakur was a really intelligent and strong women. She was born in 1947 in Lumberton, North Carolina. “Alice Faye Williams was a emergency substitute teacher in new york 1960's”(Dyson 24). Later on Alice changed her slave name to Afeni Shakur. Afeni was a member of the Black Panthers and she was also a part of the New York 21. Afeni got arrested for her beliefs and later on was bailed. When she was bailed she was also pregnant with Tupac. She was a single mother so she had to raise Tupac by her own. Afeni hoped that her sister would helper raise Tupac because she still wanted to be a part of the Black Pathers and New York 21.
When Afeni’s baby was born she decided to name him “Tupac Amaru after an eighteen-century Incan chief...” (Dyson 25). Afeni didn’t want her children to grow with racism and discrimination, that is why she was a part of the Black Panthers and New York 21. Afeni always talked with the truth with Tupac because she wanted him to have “a sense of racial pride and security” (Dyson 31). That is why she did all that she can to make sure that her children were safe.

Tupac dedicated his song “Dear Mama” to her mom for all of the struggles that she went through and for all of the sacrificies that she made for him. In his song he describes all of the struggles that single mothers go through as same as his mom did. In the song Tupac also thanks his mother for all of the things that she did for him.
 
Brittany Houston
September 9, 2008
English 201 A/B
Dear Mama
Free Write
In the song “Dear Mama” Tupac touches a lot of people. Tupac expressed how he cares and loves his mother dearly and wouldn’t change her for the world although she was on drugs. He also wrote about how he and his sister had different fathers but still they both had to deal with the same drama and they blamed their mother because of it. Tupac pointes out how hard it was for his mother to raise two children on her own on welfare. Tupac had no father figure at all and when his father died he didn’t shed a tear, and because of that he hung out with thugs that sold drugs and eventually started doing the same thing to help pay bills and help take care of his mothers household as a father because his wasn’t there to do it. He really showed how he appreciated everything she did even though she struggled with it and was on drugs.

Evidence: “And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama”

Evidence: “When I was young me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place”
“And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama”

Evidence: “I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it”

Evidence: “No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
wouldn't let me feel for a stranger”

Evidence: “I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love
I moved out and started really hangin
I needed money of my own so I started slangin
I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks
It feels good puttin money in your mailbox
I love payin rent when the rent's due”

Evidence: “And I could see you comin home after work late
You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate
Ya just workin with the scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin
But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own
And there's no way I can pay you back

Main Evidence: “And I appreciate, how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day
Everything will be alright if ya hold on
It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated”

I know some people who have went through the same thing Tupac went through and they are very strong people today.
 
Brittany Houston
September 9, 2008
English 201 A/B
Dear Mama
Free Write
In the song “Dear Mama” Tupac touches a lot of people. Tupac expressed how he cares and loves his mother dearly and wouldn’t change her for the world although she was on drugs. He also wrote about how he and his sister had different fathers but still they both had to deal with the same drama and they blamed their mother because of it. Tupac pointes out how hard it was for his mother to raise two children on her own on welfare. Tupac had no father figure at all and when his father died he didn’t shed a tear, and because of that he hung out with thugs that sold drugs and eventually started doing the same thing to help pay bills and help take care of his mothers household as a father because his wasn’t there to do it. He really showed how he appreciated everything she did even though she struggled with it and was on drugs.

Evidence: “And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama”

Evidence: “When I was young me and my mama had beef
Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets
Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face
Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place”
“And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama”

Evidence: “I finally understand
for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man
You always was committed
A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it”

Evidence: “No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there
He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger
wouldn't let me feel for a stranger”

Evidence: “I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs
They showed a young brother love
I moved out and started really hangin
I needed money of my own so I started slangin
I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks
It feels good puttin money in your mailbox
I love payin rent when the rent's due”

Evidence: “And I could see you comin home after work late
You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate
Ya just workin with the scraps you was given
And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin
But now the road got rough, you're alone
You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own
And there's no way I can pay you back

Main Evidence: “And I appreciate, how you raised me
And all the extra love that you gave me
I wish I could take the pain away
If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day
Everything will be alright if ya hold on
It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
And there's no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated”

I know some people who have went through the same thing Tupac went through and they are very strong people today.
 
Treana Penn
English 201A
1:00-2:50pm


"Dear Mama"

In Michael Dyson, "Holler if You Hear Me", in the chapter of Dear Mama, tells the background of Tupac. People are a certain way mostly, because of their background and the way they are raised. Tupac and his mother had a relationship that is indescribable, "No ones emblematizes this truth more than Tupac Shakur, was evoked as if was turbulent" (21) a relationship that had its ups and downs. Tupac's mother Afeni life changed her and her family's while being apart of the street of life. She placed herself in a position, where she was placed in jail, while being pregnant with Tupac. Even though, the lifestyle was not something that he invited himself into he always thanked his mother, just for being a mother. It is like I was once told, you can not choose who your family is and you have to make the best out of a situation. Tupac, is an example of not letting his mother bad behaviors be the excuse of the way things are.

Tupac did not grow up with a father in his life that he was forced to be his own man. In fact, Afeni was not for sure out of two Black Panther members, which one was Tupac's real father. Afeni, was the substitute of the the father figure. Afeni later own having a daughter in 1975, which she now had two children to take care of, both without a father. Tupac was forced into a situation, were he had to be the man and take more responsibility. As days turned into struggles as they moved from home to home, because she did not believe in staying in shelters. With his mom moving into a world of drugs, he felt abandoned and suddenly everything was thrown onto his shoulders. For example, his music might be interpreted pain it was a message of truth, "There's no question that Tupac used his brain early and vigorously to question his surroundings and challenge his mother." (39) he wanted to prove to his mother that he was the intelligent man that she brought him up to be. Throughout all the addictions, Afeni had a purpose to educate and help her people to stay strong and educated, something that was in Tupac's blood as well.

They finally placed their selves in a shelter, called White Plains, Because she realized it did not pay to be stubborn, they felt she already hurt her children enough. As tupac got older, he was in the Baltimore School of Arts, but with his mother's drug abuse he faded away from it to get through his pain. It did not stop him, even though his jail sentencing, he still lived out his dream by being apart of films and proceeding his rap career. He tried his best, but Tupac was still crying out for help in his music, that created effective songs. This motivated Afeni to place herself in rehab to prove her son and daughter, that she can be a better mother. That was something that Tupac couldn't get over, she could not erase her mistakes and past. Tupac was still bruised from his past, but the love for his mother will never die "Above all he praised her unsparing honesty: ` "You never kept a secret/always stayed real." '. Lasting peace, however, seemed to elude to Tupac" (44) he even dedicated a song called "Dear Mama" that spoke about their personal relationship. That was one thing, their family did really hide anything and was taught to talk about their problems and deal with them. Afeni allowed her children and their friends to call her by her first name, allowing them to feel welcome and come talk about any problems that they were having. Tupac's life was the back bone for all his poems, albums and acting roles, a cry for attention he felt that he did not receive and anybody whom could relate. Tupac lived his life as nobody, but himself, a strong man dealing with the worlds different obstacles.
 
Dear Mama Free Write

The point that Tupac was making through out the song Dear Mama, was that even though he and his mother went through a lot of rough times, trails, and tribulations in their lives together, he still loves and appreciate everything that she has done for him. For instance, in the song he says “and even though you were a crack fiend mama, you always were a black queen mama…” which means that although you made some bad choices in life you’ll always be a queen to me. Then goes on and talks about how while on welfare, she still stayed strong and raised two children on her own. He also states tat he is grateful for the way that she always stayed true while raising him.
 
"Dear Mama"

Michael Eric Dyson, the author of Holler If You Hear Me begins the book with a story about Tupac' mother, Afeni Shakur. the author name the chapter as "Dear Mama", it's the same name as Tupac's song that he wrote to dedicated to his mother. In the song "Dear Mama" he greatly appreciates what she has done for him and the influence she has throughout his life.


Afeni was in the Black Panther party. she had been arrested for several times. And because of her political issue, finding a job for her was really difficult. Afeni Shakur is a very strong and courage woman. she had a difficult life because of the fact that she is a single mother struggle to support her family. Often homeless , and out of work, Afeni Shakur managed to get public help to support her and her family.


Afeni always wanted to give her son a better life and be proud of what he is. she did not wanted her son suffer what she had to go through. Being a black single mother during a racial discrimination time was really difficult for her, and it was more difficult to raise her child to choose the right path. Afeni used her experience from the past to show her son what is right and what is wrong. Despite all the negative impacts his mother had on his life, his childhood is greatly affected by his mother's cocaine addiction, Tupac always respected his mom and appreciated for all the things she did for him.


Dung Nguyen
English 201a
8.00-8.50
 
Andrew Nguyen
English 201A
8-8:50AM

Summary of Chapter One: "Dear Mama"

Dyson describes the relationship that Tupac had with his mother, Afeni Shakur. She is intelligent, and follows quite a radical path. Afeni Shakur was part of many radical groups, such as the infamous Black Panther Party. During her time with the Party, Afeni Shakur was arrested. Her mother visited Afeni, but was ashamed of how Afeni became. Afeni does not care. She is proud of who she is.

After giving birth to Tupac, she was surprised because of the amount of miscarriages she had previously. Tupac stayed. Afeni hopes to give him a feeling of personal racial pride and security by singing lullabies of soul music to him. She says that Tupac was a special child. Afeni and her family had many trouble living. They had help from a homeless program, receiving stipends to move. From there, Dyson describes the connection between crack cocaine and how it effected Tupac's life with his mother and family. Afeni became an addict. She would be off doing drugs, leaving Tupac and his sister with Tupac's godfather's wife, Linda Pratt. Tupac and Afeni would then argue with one another. With Tupac, she was inspired to be recovered from her addiction. She had hoped that her recovery would erase the harmful memories. Though she had recovered for a year, Tupac wrote her a nine page letter explaining that he was happy with her recovery, but even through recovery, the memories will not be erased.

For a tribute for his mother, Tupac made a song entitlted "Dear Mama". He shows the appreciation he has with his mother and how much she sacrifices for her family. Regardless through all the harsh times, Tupac remains Afeni's miracle son.


Tupac's "Dear Mama" and Dyson's "Dear Mama"

Both describes the troubles that both Tupac and his mother had. Both explains Afeni's crack addiction and how it affected the family. Regardless, Tupac still loves his mother, calling her "The Black Queen." She brings him up whenever his hope goes down. Tupac's song shows how much he loves and appreciates his mother through all the hardships they'd went through.
 
Vonreesha Jackson
english 201 A
1-2:50 pm

In this chapter it shows how Tupac and his mother Afeni had so much in common. She was so heavily into the black panther party when she got prgnant with Tupac. She also was in jail and got out on bail such as with Tupac. They both spent 11 months in jail. The chapter touchs on how his mother was raised in a single family home with jist her mother and sister. Just the same when Afeni had Tupac and she then had his sister. Afeni was also a single mother. At times they had no money and no place to live. But some how some way they made it out and that out was to Marin california. Tupacs mother also had a problem with drug addiction, Tupac forgave her for, but still resented her for putting him through that situation so young in his life.Tupac loved his mother unconditionally just the same as his mother with him. Afeni is a very smart and strong minded woman and she taught Tupac how to survive and how to be a man cause there was no male figure in his life. Tupac also attended acting classes.
Also in this chapter the disscusion of the arrival of crack cocaine was touch on. The arrival of crack cocaine to a already struggling economy, caused crime and families to brake apart and break down. The governments reaction to this was nothing but set stict rulings upon those caught with rock cocaine as opposed to those caught with the powder substance. This was a sad thing that happen to America.
 
erica mitchell english 201A 8-8:50

"Dear Mama"Reflection

Tupac shows us how much he still loves and is closer to his mom now. His mom had her faults like everyone has. She did some good then she did some bad. Tupac is showing us what he went through when he was growing up. Even though what Tupacs mom did he still needed her. You should appreciate what you have because you never know when you may loose it.
 
San Saechao
Eng 201b
8-8:50am

"Dear Mama" Summery

Tupac and his mom always had problem when he was young.He thought that he wouldn't see her mom again when he was kick out from his home. Hanging out with the bad kids and was scare to go home, cause he got in trouble from school.He and his baby sister had different daddy's, but the same thing happen. when things went wrong they blame mama. Thinking about bad things i did, and seeing his mama in jail it was like hell.He thought he would never see penitentiary when he was in elementary. he got a whoop en from running away from the police. Even though his mama was using drugs, she'll always be his queen. He finally understand that it ain't easy to raise a son, without a father, a single mother who don't have much.the only thing he can do was appreciate her.

It wasn't to him, his dad was never there for him. when he passed away, but didn't swept.He was consider a cold person, but than again he was looking father all along. So he started hanging out with drug dealers, even thought they do this, but they still know to show love. He moved out and needed money, so he start dealing drugs himself.even thought its bad to sell drugs, but in the end it brings relief to pay for his own stuff. his mom was always there for him, even when he was down, cuz she care for him. Coming home late, but still cooked for them. The road was hard for his mom, raising two kids by herself. He understand the hardship that her mom went through.

Think back to the past, she was always there no matter the situation was. Always had the word to kept him focus. Nothing compare to what she did for him.The Memories he had for what you have done for him. Gotta thank the creator even hes such bad person.
Her mom was always truthful to him, and taking care of him, he appreciated. Just make it day by day, and everything will be alright. he appreciate all the things she done for him.
 
San Saechao
Eng 201b
8-8:50am

Reflection on "Dear Mama"

The relationship between Tupac and his mom was very close. Even thought, there were a lot of struggles and such, but they stick together. Single mom taking care of two bad kids, its gotta be hard. I'm glad he made this into a song and expressing himself and the struggles they been through.
 
"Dear Mama" Summary

In Dyson's hollar if you hear me first chapter it talks about Afani Shakur Tupac's mother. Afeni was a stong black woman who was apart of the black organization the Black Panthers. When Tupac was a fetus in Afeni's stomach she was convicted and spent a little time in jail. She was in jail with tupac and she didnt have a miscarriage.Afeni beat the case and was relased from jail bcuase the birth of Tupac Shakur. Afeni was a crack fiend and she was a single mother. Through all this she still had to raise Tupac and his little sister. Tupac and his little sister had different fathers. From moving from New york to moving to Baltimore the whole time he was under Afeni's wing and he remembered the special things she did for him. Tupac had unconditional love for his monther and she had the same for him. Afeni always knew that Tupac was going to do something special and be a wonderful person. Before Tupac died he made a song about his mother called "Dear mama". He explained his love for his mother and he lyrically showed his audience how his life with is mother was. Afeni Shakur was a very strong black queen and she will always be.

Julian Pete
English201A
8:00-8:50
 
DEAR MAMA THIS SONG IS BEAUTIFUL. HE ALLOWS THE WORLD TO SEE THAT NO MY MOM WASN'T PERFECT, SHE WAS THIS AND THAT BUT YET SHE ALWAYS WILL BE A QUEEN."AND EVEN AS A CRACK FIEND, MAMA/YOU ALWAYS WAS A BLACK QUEEN, MAMA"

DYSON: HIS VOCABULARY IN THIS BOOK IS OFF THE CHARTS EVERY OTHER WORD I'M IN THE DICTIONARY, BUT I LOVE THE READING IT'S VERY INTERESTING.

DYSON PG 35 “IT IS SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR THAT CRACK ECONOMIES WERE WELL ESTABLISHED IN BLACK AND BROWN GHETTOS”.

IT'S SO TRUE WHEN YOU LOOK AT PIEDMONT VS. DEEP EAST OKALND YOU SEE THE DIFFERENC, PIPES ON THE GROUND WEED BAGS EVERY WHERE. PIDMONT GRASS IS ALWAYS FRESHLY CUT NO HOMLESS PEOPLE, NO CRACK HEADS WALKING AROUND ETC.

HE SHOWS US HOW CRACK TOOK OVER PEOPLE. IF YOU’RE PAYING THE BILLS, STACKING THE FOOD CUBARD, TAKING CARE OF THE HOUSE YOU ARE SEEN AS A “REAL MAN.”

IF YOU’RE DOING THE COMPLETE OPPSITE YOU ARE ADDING TO WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO DO. DESTROY THE MINORITY COMMUNITY.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO AFINI SHE GOT HOOKED ON DRUGS AND IT DESTROYED HER FAMILY, TUPAC NEVER NEW WHERE HIS NEXT MEAL WOULD COME FROM. CRAKCK WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO AFENI THEN TO MAKE SURE HER KIDS HAD THE PROPER TOOLS THEY NEEDED TO SURVIVE THE DAY.


JADA SAID IN HER INTERVIEW "WHEN SHE MET TUPAC ONLY OWENED TWO SWEATERS AND TWO PAIR OF PANTS. HE HAD NO COVERS JUST A MATRESS TO SLEEP ON.HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS MOTHER, “HE DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD OPINION OF HIMSELF.” JADA P.SMITH

THERE'S ONE POEM IN THE BOOK “THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE” HE SHOWS THE AUDIENCE A LITTLE SELF ESTEEM FOR HIM SELF. "ONLY 4 THE RIGHTEOUS,

OVER ALL THIS IS A GOOD READ EACH TIME I READ THIS BOOK I BEGIN TO SEE HOW BRILLIANT TUPAC WAS, AND A GREATER RESPECT FOR HIS WORK.

TIPTON 201B
 
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