Professor Sabir's Posse

Kathleen Adams
English 201 A
M-W 1-2:50
September 16, 2009
Free write

Tupac was very understanding, of the situation that he and his sister had to endure. He speaks candidly about his mother’s drug use. However, he cherished his mother and all of her flaws. He felt that they were poorer than others were. He was a little mischievous, and got into trouble like any typical teenager. Searching for a better way of life, Tupac began selling illegal drugs. He found a better way to support himself later, writing and rapping about what he went through as a child and teenager. He was a very courageous man that was not afraid to speak the truth.
 

Kathleen Adams
English 201A
M-W 1-2:50
September 16, 2009
Free Write
A Rose that Grew From Concrete

What I gathered from this poem, is that no one thought that he would amount to anything. His mother was in and out of prisons. Often she had to pack up and move, due to her use of drugs and the choices she made. Tupac’s mother was very strong and self-educated. Contrary to what people thought or said, she and Tupac proved everyone wrong. She has given the world a great rose, full of beautiful petals that still resonate around the world today. It shows what ever you want for your life , you can have it.
 

K.Adams
J.Bauer
English 201-A/B
M-W 1:00-2:50
Holler If You Hear Me Paraphrasing


Original Sentence:

1. Tupac is widely regarded as the most influential rapper ever_”I put Tupac beyond Shakespeare “says legendary rapper Nas and one of the most important figures in music history.

Literal paraphrase:
Tupac was known as the best entertainer worldwide. “Tupac follows Shakespeare, “says Nas, --one of the most influential icons in the music industry.

Free:
One of the best-known hip-hop artists was Tupac. The world’s greatest entertainer “following Shakespeare”, added Nas.
Original sentence:
2. Tupac’s words would prove more prophetic than anyone could have guessed: Starting with a class at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1998 a slew of college courses dedicated to the studying Tupac’s body of work-cropped up after his death.
Literal paraphrase:
Very prophetic were Tupac words that everyone could have thought. In 1998 Berkeley University in California, many professors taught classes about the prophetic when Tupac died.
Free:
Tupac was very poetic like a prophet. Many people could relate to him, even the Berkeley University that included lessons about the great prophetic Tupac.

Original Sentence:
3. One of the reasons Tupac still resonates in the culture is his outsized literary ambition.
Literal paraphrase:
In the music culture, Tupac is continuing to make profits for his big risks in his writings.
Free:
In the hip-hop culture, Tupac is making money daily off his big go for it type of writing.
Original Sentence:
4. He fearlessly and poetically explored dimensions of the male psyche neglected by his rap peers.
Literal paraphrase:
He was not afraid to speak his mind about the dealings of male, like some of his rap peers.
Free:
He spoke the truth about males keeping it real, unlike his other rapper friends.
Original Sentence:
5. The Vibrant imagination that fueled Tupac’s gift was often dismissed, perhaps because it was too dark, too dangerous.
Literal paraphrase:
People assumed that his lyrics were too explicit and truthful. Tupac’s gift of expressing himself was also disregarded as too risky.
Free:
Tupac vision was regarded as dark and weary suspecting danger and too revealing.
His lightened talents were too much for some.
 

Kathleen Adams
English 201A
M-W 1:2:50

What do you think Tupac’s comments would be on the state of the country and world events?
Tupac would be saying, “It’s 2009 and the same shit is on my mine,” why there are so many homeless people; why are all these babies’ dying; while so many mothers are trying; to put up them daddy’s that are lying. In the end, blacks are still broke and crying.
Whose war is this? What are we fighting to gain? How many men and women have we lost?
We experienced that same thing here, when Bush won the election by way of his brother.
I know he would have been one of the guest speakers, and of course at many of the social events.
We all need health care; if this is not right then I know it is not fair.
If they were to have a conversation, it would be something like “a change has come”
There is change in the White house, damn he looks like me, yet he has never seen jail or the penitentiary. They do not like him because he is black, and they hate him because he is smart. Can he finish the mission that Bush fucked up and started? Yes, we can, I am that chosen man and here I stand.
 

Kathleen Adams
English 201-A
M-W 1-2:50
August 30, 2009
My Autobiographical Notes

I was born in Saint Louis, Mo. so many years ago. I Came out of the womb singing and dancing, ready to leave my mark in the world. Around age ten, I began to notice the wickedness and
darkness of some people and that made me want to crawl back into the incredible and joyous thing called the vagina, and never emerge again. Born, the fourth child of six, there were three girls and three boys. They used to call us the “Brandy Bunch.” There were two sets of twins, unfortunately one set died. We were left with a girl named Annette, and boy named Anthony. In 1990 came to California for the second time, and knew that I was home. My first job was working at a tax firm in Berkeley, CA. After two months, I found a beautiful apartment to call my own. I really like it here, but sometimes I miss home in Saint Louis. When it comes to going out to karaoke, they pay you to sing. Well I guess that is enough about me.