Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, both classes recap
Yesterday afternoon, students made final presentations on Holler: Khalood, Julianna, Ramon, Lou, with student cast members. Please post the scenes at the link I will post. We also watched the film, Procrastination.
In the morning class we had two presentations: Ernest, Matthew and Gwendolyn with class members as cast.
The afternoon class had additional homework, this was connected to Julianne's presentation on the Epilogue and the song, Me Against the World. We discussed the song and what the thesis was. We also looked at poems from The Rose That Grew from Concrete (15, 25, 7, 105, 107, 111, and 137) which reflected these themes. Students were then asked to write 3-4 thesis sentences which take their themes from song.
We had two quizzes, Point of View and Be-Verbs. Homework for both classes is to continue in SPHE in section 7, I believe, Possessives. We will start the essay on Thursday, the MW class will work on the essay Monday, October 26.
I'd like students in both classes to include a reflection on your writing process, that is, pulling together the poem and song that fit your chapter theme, the performance and feedback afterwards. The reflection should be minimally three paragraphs. Post with the scene.
Don't forget to comment on each student's presentation in the same link posted below.
If you were the presenter, reflect on your process. Include the chapter and the playwright's name in your comments. Be substantive in your comments. If you skipped this assignment, for whatever reasons, it wasn't optional, and we need to talk about a make-up assignment.
Please include the lyrics to your song and the poem with the scene. Again check to make sure the formatting it correct before clicking okay. Everyone was to give me a paper copy of the script. I didn't get this from everyone who presented.
For the MW class, bring any questions on SPHE (or anything else) to class Wednesday, October 21, you might have re: SPHE or anything else. Before our guest begins we will go over anything you don't understand from the next section.
I will post the review of our guest's book here.
From the Bottom of the Heap: The Autobiography of Black Panther Robert Hillary King with an introduction by Terry Kupers, M.D., M.S.P., PM Press 2009, 217 pp, $24.95 cloth
Review by Wanda Sabir
Outside Angola State Prison, “Last Slave Plantation” is painted on the asphalt near the initials LSP for Louisiana State Penitentiary. Prison guards block the road, as signs wave demanding the release of the Angola 3: Albert Woodfox, Herman Wallace and Robert King Wilkerson. In February 2001, Robert King walks out a free man, all charges dropped.
Who would have known, who could have predicted this man’s life was destined to take the turns it did – not for any particular misdeed; rather, his captivity was based solely on prejudicial perceptions that labeled him and other Black, poor boys and men, then and now, unworthy, criminal.
Freedom was a notion many in his community claimed but few knew because of the politically racist policies of the Deep South. Yet, despite all this, the child, Robert Hillary King, found a home and a grandmother and a community where not only was he welcomed, he was loved too.
Sheltered from the travesties of Jim Crow – segregation and deprivation – he took the lean days in stride with the fat. Even when accused, picked up and booked, not once, but three times, the first while just a child for crimes he hadn’t committed, King retained his optimism and belief in the human race. One would think, later on, after 29 years in solitary confinement with charges which were all eventually dropped, he might carry some bitterness, righteous anger for irretrievable time lost – 31 years - but he doesn’t. If anything, his anger is at a system, what he calls a post-colonial system which sanctions the disenfranchisement of certain people – 500 years after the first Africans disembarked on American shores.
Robert Hillary King a.k.a. Robert King Wilkerson takes us on a lyrical journey “From the Bottom of the Heap” to the depths of a darkness so dense flashlights can’t pierce the intangible conscience or sensibility of a nation or a people who would subject another citizen to what King describes in his autobiography as a normal state of affairs for Black men pre-Civil Rights Act, pre-March on Washington, pre-Black Panther Party for Self-Defense.
Told in a straightforward manner, this gripping tale has humor and all the innocence of a child’s voice, a more mature young man’s, evolving finally into the voice of an adult trying to plant his flag in ripe soil to claim a piece of the planet for himself and his kin. Unlike Ralph Ellison’s protagonist, King doesn’t evaporate or melt into the darkness. He fights, he yells, he refuses to take the beatings, whether ideologically or physically. He never gives up hope.
It’s amazing that King actually believed in the judicial system; he believed in it up to the third time he was thrown into the Parish Prison and was looking at 35 years to life. It was at this time, when he realized that the court was just interested in closing cases, not in justice, that he “felt psychologically whole.” King felt that if he didn’t act on this “new consciousness” it would be a betrayal of his sanity, so he and 60 other “brothers in jail who also felt this need to appeal to no one but themselves, where freedom was concerned,” planned an escape (156-157).
King stayed at large for a couple of weeks and though he was returned to the New Orleans Parish Prison with eight additional years added to his 35-year sentence, he no longer masked his reality with religion or other opiates. He says, “In studying and learning of my enemy, I also learned of myself, my place in history. In learning of my place in history, I rediscovered my long lost humanity. Individuality was replaced with the need for unity.
“I saw that all are expendable at the system’s whim. I saw how my mother, her mother and her mother’s mother before her suffered. I saw past generations of my forefathers stripped from their homeland, brought by force, to these shores in chains” (169). It is here King recognizes his piece on the game board and steps off the table – refusing to play anymore.
He’d heard about the shooting on Desire Street in New Orleans between the police and the Black Panther Party – several members also jailed at New Orleans Parish Prison – both men and women. During this time he is introduced to the BPP and sees in it the answers to so many questions he’d had before. He says, “Certainty replaced uncertainty” and despite the tragic loss of his 5-year-old son, Robert Jr., due to medical malpractice and the loss of his physical freedom, King seems to have gained a lot more than he lost.
King is shipped briefly to Angola again, returned to Parish Prison in 1971, and then shipped back to Angola for good in 1972, where he was charged with investigation into the death of a prison guard, a death that happened before he arrived back at Angola. Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox and Gilbert Montegut were also tried. Woodfox has been cleared of the charges brought in 1972 and is presently awaiting release. Wallace’s case is on appeal to the Louisiana State Supreme Court.
“From the Bottom of the Heap” is the story of one man, yet it could be the story of a nation – from Jim Crow to Hip Hop, the strategic targeting of Black youth, the criminalizing of persons based solely on the color of their skin, the content of their wallets and the address of their parents. This story is the answer leaders today need to hear – it is a voice no one is listening too.
The same economic circumstances which made it impossible to feed one’s family 50, 60 years ago exist today. The public education system is just as inadequate now as it was then in preparing future generations for occupations that will support their families. In fact, the situation today might be worse.
The end of the book shifts and changes tone: There are letters, a poem, a chronology of the Angola 3, more thanks, a family tree and an ad for Freelines – King’s sweet confection first made in prison. When one thinks of a second coming, Robert Hillary King comes to mind – he says he was reborn Feb. 8, 2001. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, after so much loss, so much death, the ashes serve as fertilizer for a brighter today and tomorrow.
King hasn’t walked on water yet, but I’m sure he could if he wanted to. If ever a child was born without a chance, it was this bright light – Robert King, on May 30, 1942 - this child born of descendants of former slaves in Gonzales, Louisiana. Yet, as long as he had lungs, this boy, later man, was not going down without a noise. And it is this noise, this shaking at the gates of justice, rattling the consciences of fellow Americans, that earned him his freedom and will earn his comrades Herman Wallace and Albert Woodfox theirs too.
Published in the San Francisco Bay View Newspaper and LeftTurn Magazine Nov.2008
Bay View Arts Editor Wanda Sabir can be reached at wsab1@aol.com. Visit her website and blog at www.wandaspicks.com for an expanded version of Wanda’s Picks, her photos and her radio show. To learn more about the Angola 3, visit www.Angola3.org , www.3blackpanthers.org and www.A3grassroots.org.
Comments:
<< Home
Kathleen Adams
Professor Sabir
English 201A/B
October 21, 2009
Angola 3
I enjoyed the videos on the website. It is so unfair how "we" as people are judged by the color of our skin instead of our works and education. One day we shall all over come.
Today is October 21, 2009 and we are still dealing with strong hate issues. We are still plagued with unfairness to blacks all over the world.
I truly believe that the authority that does wrong by any means will have to answer to a higher being, which will interesting.
Professor Sabir
English 201A/B
October 21, 2009
Angola 3
I enjoyed the videos on the website. It is so unfair how "we" as people are judged by the color of our skin instead of our works and education. One day we shall all over come.
Today is October 21, 2009 and we are still dealing with strong hate issues. We are still plagued with unfairness to blacks all over the world.
I truly believe that the authority that does wrong by any means will have to answer to a higher being, which will interesting.
# posted by 
: 9:14 AM
: 9:14 AM
Mai Bee Lor & Cynthia Phan
Professor Sabir
English 201A 8-8:50 am
11 October 2009
Chapter One: “Dear Mama”
(The song, “Dear Mama” playing in the background)
Narrator: Tupac’s relationship with his mother went from being cool to dictatorship, but altogether they were honest with each other. Tupac was hurt by his mother’s absences and her drug abuse. He still loved her and praised her in hi song, “Dear Mama.” His mother realizes the hurt/harm she has caused in Tupac’s life. She decides to go into rehab (Dyson 43).
Scene I: Mother comes out of a year in rehab.
Sekyiwa: Mother, I’m so proud of you for accomplishing one year of rehab! That must have been really hard.
(Sekyiwa hugs mother with both arms open)
Mother: I’m proud of myself too, baby. U can’t wait to see what Tupac will say. I bet he’ll be just as proud as you are.
(Tupac gets off plane and hands his mother 9 pages of letters)
(Mother looks at the pages, reading and flipping through the pages quickly)
Mother: All you have to say is you hope that I really do stay clean? How about, “I’m happy to see you clean for a year now?”
Tupac: (firmly speaking) You cannot erase every single thing that you’ve done. You cannot expect me to believe that you can change simply because you said so.
Mother: I know that I hurt you deeply. I wish that you could someday find it in your heart to forgive me. I hope that your soul has strengthen from this experience and overcome trials you will face in life. I guess I can understand the importance for you to have space to heal the damage that I did. I wouldn’t prefer it, but I have no choice if I want you to forgive me. You are always challenging me and I thank you for that. You always helped me to stay honest.
Tupac: Mama, you know I value your love. I mean you raised me and my sister all by yourself. It ain’t easy. You never kept a secret/ always stayed real. Together we’ll overcome you addiction (with a sympathetic look).
Narrator:
Conclusion:
A River That Flows Forever
4 Mother
As long as some suffer
The River Flows Forever
As long as there is pain
The River Flows Forever
As strong as a smile can be
The River will Flow Forever
And as long as u R with me
we’ll ride the River Together
Written by: Tupac Shakur
Professor Sabir
English 201A 8-8:50 am
11 October 2009
Chapter One: “Dear Mama”
(The song, “Dear Mama” playing in the background)
Narrator: Tupac’s relationship with his mother went from being cool to dictatorship, but altogether they were honest with each other. Tupac was hurt by his mother’s absences and her drug abuse. He still loved her and praised her in hi song, “Dear Mama.” His mother realizes the hurt/harm she has caused in Tupac’s life. She decides to go into rehab (Dyson 43).
Scene I: Mother comes out of a year in rehab.
Sekyiwa: Mother, I’m so proud of you for accomplishing one year of rehab! That must have been really hard.
(Sekyiwa hugs mother with both arms open)
Mother: I’m proud of myself too, baby. U can’t wait to see what Tupac will say. I bet he’ll be just as proud as you are.
(Tupac gets off plane and hands his mother 9 pages of letters)
(Mother looks at the pages, reading and flipping through the pages quickly)
Mother: All you have to say is you hope that I really do stay clean? How about, “I’m happy to see you clean for a year now?”
Tupac: (firmly speaking) You cannot erase every single thing that you’ve done. You cannot expect me to believe that you can change simply because you said so.
Mother: I know that I hurt you deeply. I wish that you could someday find it in your heart to forgive me. I hope that your soul has strengthen from this experience and overcome trials you will face in life. I guess I can understand the importance for you to have space to heal the damage that I did. I wouldn’t prefer it, but I have no choice if I want you to forgive me. You are always challenging me and I thank you for that. You always helped me to stay honest.
Tupac: Mama, you know I value your love. I mean you raised me and my sister all by yourself. It ain’t easy. You never kept a secret/ always stayed real. Together we’ll overcome you addiction (with a sympathetic look).
Narrator:
Conclusion:
A River That Flows Forever
4 Mother
As long as some suffer
The River Flows Forever
As long as there is pain
The River Flows Forever
As strong as a smile can be
The River will Flow Forever
And as long as u R with me
we’ll ride the River Together
Written by: Tupac Shakur
Mai Bee Lor
Professor Sabir
English 201A 8-8:50am
Song:
"Dear Mama"
You are appreciated
[Verse One: 2Pac]
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
Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary?
Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day
And runnin from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside
And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
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
There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus: Reggie Green & "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac]
Lady...
Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Dear mama
Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Don't cha know we love ya?
[second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"]
[Verse Two: 2Pac]
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
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
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone because you cared for me
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
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: 2Pac]
Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I act craaazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
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
[Chorus]
Sweet lady
And dear mama
Dear mama
Lady [3X]
Professor Sabir
English 201A 8-8:50am
Song:
"Dear Mama"
You are appreciated
[Verse One: 2Pac]
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
Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary?
Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day
And runnin from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside
And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
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
There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus: Reggie Green & "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac]
Lady...
Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Dear mama
Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Don't cha know we love ya?
[second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"]
[Verse Two: 2Pac]
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
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
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone because you cared for me
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
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: 2Pac]
Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I act craaazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
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
[Chorus]
Sweet lady
And dear mama
Dear mama
Lady [3X]
Mai Bee Lor
Professor Sabir
English 201A 8-8:50am
Reflection On My Writing Process
This was one of my favorite chapter from Holler If You Hear Me. What I liked most from this chapter was how Dyson described Tupac's relationship with his mother. Cynthia Phan was my partner. We wanted to focus our scene about their relationship. We decided to choose the scene from when Afeni came out from rehab. We added some extra lines to develope the plot and show the audience what their relationship was like.
The song we chose was "Dear Mama." We thought this song was appropriate since we were talking about his mama. In the scene we briefly talked about how he felt about his mother so this was a nice touch to the scene.
The poem we decided to use was, "A River That Flows." We chose this poem as a conclusion. It matched what the scene was talking about in the end. This poem was Tupac telling his mother that he'll be there to help her to get over her addiction.
Professor Sabir
English 201A 8-8:50am
Reflection On My Writing Process
This was one of my favorite chapter from Holler If You Hear Me. What I liked most from this chapter was how Dyson described Tupac's relationship with his mother. Cynthia Phan was my partner. We wanted to focus our scene about their relationship. We decided to choose the scene from when Afeni came out from rehab. We added some extra lines to develope the plot and show the audience what their relationship was like.
The song we chose was "Dear Mama." We thought this song was appropriate since we were talking about his mama. In the scene we briefly talked about how he felt about his mother so this was a nice touch to the scene.
The poem we decided to use was, "A River That Flows." We chose this poem as a conclusion. It matched what the scene was talking about in the end. This poem was Tupac telling his mother that he'll be there to help her to get over her addiction.
Mai Bee Lor and Cynthia Phan
Professor Sabir
English 201A 8-8:50am
11 October 2009
Chapter Two: “The Son of a Panther”
Narrator: Tupac expresses his feeling about The Black Panther to his mother. He and his friends talk about restarting The Black Panther (Dyson 53-55).
Scene I: Tupac discussing with mother about The Black Panther
Tupac: Mama, you know I’ve been wondering about something, The Black Panther.
Mother: What do you want to know about it?
Tupac: Well, I liked what you did. I liked what The Black Panther stood for, self-defense and class rebellion.
Mother: Oh, yes. Do you remember all the trouble we got in of I got in?
Tupac: Yes, I despite them for the fact that they abandoned you when you needed them most. You sacrificed everything.
Mother: Ah, yes. At least you and Sekyiwa grew up to be good kids.
Tupac: I hate how the police always singled me out to be punished for being son of a panther. They are always watching my every move like I was going to do something. Well you know what, ma, I’m going to give them something to talk about. Ma, I wrote this for you.
Family Tree
4 Mother
Because we all spring
from different trees
does not mean
we are not created equally
Is the true beauty in the tree
or in the vast forest in which it breathes
the tree must fight 2 breed
among the evils of the weeds
I find greatness in the tree
that grows against all odds
it blossoms in darkness
and gives birth 2 promising pods.
I was the tree who grew from weeds
and wasn’t meant 2 be
ashamed I’m not in fact I am proud
of my thriving family tree
Mother: Oh, Pac I’m so happy to hear that.
Tupac: I’m proud of my history and I want to do good like you did.
(End of scene one)
Scene II: Tupac discuss with friends about restarting The Black Panther after a fight in Marin City.
Tupac: I’m tired of feeling helpless. This is the late sixties.
Friend 1: Yes, us too. Next time when someone tries to pull something like this again then we’ll bust them up.
Tupac: No, what good would that do? I know, (deeply thinking) we’ll start up The Black Panther again.
Friend 2: Oh, that’s cool. We can be just like they were.
Tupac: Yes, but we’ll address racial oppression but in a more secretive way. We don’t have to be as violent as they were. We can avoid attention this way.
Friends 1: Go on, we’re listening.
Tupac: First, we need to respect ourselves, then we can learn to respect others. Second we’ll teach Black Pride. Third we all have to value education. That will be our self-defense and safe-guard.
(Friends all cheering and music starts to play in background)
All friends: That’s a great idea! We’ll be a self-defense mechanism against skinheads!
Professor Sabir
English 201A 8-8:50am
11 October 2009
Chapter Two: “The Son of a Panther”
Narrator: Tupac expresses his feeling about The Black Panther to his mother. He and his friends talk about restarting The Black Panther (Dyson 53-55).
Scene I: Tupac discussing with mother about The Black Panther
Tupac: Mama, you know I’ve been wondering about something, The Black Panther.
Mother: What do you want to know about it?
Tupac: Well, I liked what you did. I liked what The Black Panther stood for, self-defense and class rebellion.
Mother: Oh, yes. Do you remember all the trouble we got in of I got in?
Tupac: Yes, I despite them for the fact that they abandoned you when you needed them most. You sacrificed everything.
Mother: Ah, yes. At least you and Sekyiwa grew up to be good kids.
Tupac: I hate how the police always singled me out to be punished for being son of a panther. They are always watching my every move like I was going to do something. Well you know what, ma, I’m going to give them something to talk about. Ma, I wrote this for you.
Family Tree
4 Mother
Because we all spring
from different trees
does not mean
we are not created equally
Is the true beauty in the tree
or in the vast forest in which it breathes
the tree must fight 2 breed
among the evils of the weeds
I find greatness in the tree
that grows against all odds
it blossoms in darkness
and gives birth 2 promising pods.
I was the tree who grew from weeds
and wasn’t meant 2 be
ashamed I’m not in fact I am proud
of my thriving family tree
Mother: Oh, Pac I’m so happy to hear that.
Tupac: I’m proud of my history and I want to do good like you did.
(End of scene one)
Scene II: Tupac discuss with friends about restarting The Black Panther after a fight in Marin City.
Tupac: I’m tired of feeling helpless. This is the late sixties.
Friend 1: Yes, us too. Next time when someone tries to pull something like this again then we’ll bust them up.
Tupac: No, what good would that do? I know, (deeply thinking) we’ll start up The Black Panther again.
Friend 2: Oh, that’s cool. We can be just like they were.
Tupac: Yes, but we’ll address racial oppression but in a more secretive way. We don’t have to be as violent as they were. We can avoid attention this way.
Friends 1: Go on, we’re listening.
Tupac: First, we need to respect ourselves, then we can learn to respect others. Second we’ll teach Black Pride. Third we all have to value education. That will be our self-defense and safe-guard.
(Friends all cheering and music starts to play in background)
All friends: That’s a great idea! We’ll be a self-defense mechanism against skinheads!
Mai Bee Lor
Professor Sabir
English 201A 8-8:50am
Song:
"Changes"
[1]
Come on come on
I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself
is life worth living should I blast myself?
I'm tired of bein' poor & even worse I'm black
my stomach hurts so I'm lookin' for a purse to snatch
Cops give a damn about a negro
pull the trigger kill a nigga he's a hero
Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares
one less hungry mouth on the welfare
First ship 'em dope & let 'em deal the brothers
give 'em guns step back watch 'em kill each other
It's time to fight back that's what Huey said
2 shots in the dark now Huey's dead
I got love for my brother but we can never go nowhere
unless we share with each other
We gotta start makin' changes
learn to see me as a brother instead of 2 distant strangers
and that's how it's supposed to be
How can the Devil take a brother if he's close to me?
I'd love to go back to when we played as kids
but things changed, and that's the way it is
[Bridge w/ changing ad libs]
Come on come on
That's just the way it is
Things'll never be the same
That's just the way it is
aww yeah
[Repeat]
[2]
I see no changes all I see is racist faces
misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under I wonder what it takes to make this
one better place, let's erase the wasted
Take the evil out the people they'll be acting right
'cause both black and white is smokin' crack tonight
and only time we chill is when we kill each other
it takes skill to be real, time to heal each other
And although it seems heaven sent
We ain't ready, to see a black President, uhh
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact
the penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks
But some things will never change
try to show another way but you stayin' in the dope game
Now tell me what's a mother to do
bein' real don't appeal to the brother in you
You gotta operate the easy way
"I made a G today" But you made it in a sleazy way
sellin' crack to the kid. " I gotta get paid,"
Well hey, well that's the way it is
[Bridge]
[Talking:]
We gotta make a change...
It's time for us as a people to start makin' some changes.
Let's change the way we eat, let's change the way we live
and let's change the way we treat each other.
You see the old way wasn't working so it's on us to do
what we gotta do, to survive.
[3]
And still I see no changes can't a brother get a little peace
It's war on the streets & the war in the Middle East
Instead of war on poverty they got a war on drugs
so the police can bother me
And I ain't never did a crime I ain't have to do
But now I'm back with the facts givin' it back to you
Don't let 'em jack you up, back you up,
crack you up and pimp smack you up
You gotta learn to hold ya own
they get jealous when they see ya with ya mobile phone
But tell the cops they can't touch this
I don't trust this when they try to rush I bust this
That's the sound of my tool you say it ain't cool
my mama didn't raise no fool
And as long as I stay black I gotta stay strapped
& I never get to lay back
'Cause I always got to worry 'bout the pay backs
some punk that I roughed up way back
comin' back after all these years
rat-tat-tat-tat-tat that's the way it is uhh
[Bridge 'til fade:]
Some things will never change
Professor Sabir
English 201A 8-8:50am
Song:
"Changes"
[1]
Come on come on
I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself
is life worth living should I blast myself?
I'm tired of bein' poor & even worse I'm black
my stomach hurts so I'm lookin' for a purse to snatch
Cops give a damn about a negro
pull the trigger kill a nigga he's a hero
Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares
one less hungry mouth on the welfare
First ship 'em dope & let 'em deal the brothers
give 'em guns step back watch 'em kill each other
It's time to fight back that's what Huey said
2 shots in the dark now Huey's dead
I got love for my brother but we can never go nowhere
unless we share with each other
We gotta start makin' changes
learn to see me as a brother instead of 2 distant strangers
and that's how it's supposed to be
How can the Devil take a brother if he's close to me?
I'd love to go back to when we played as kids
but things changed, and that's the way it is
[Bridge w/ changing ad libs]
Come on come on
That's just the way it is
Things'll never be the same
That's just the way it is
aww yeah
[Repeat]
[2]
I see no changes all I see is racist faces
misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under I wonder what it takes to make this
one better place, let's erase the wasted
Take the evil out the people they'll be acting right
'cause both black and white is smokin' crack tonight
and only time we chill is when we kill each other
it takes skill to be real, time to heal each other
And although it seems heaven sent
We ain't ready, to see a black President, uhh
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact
the penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks
But some things will never change
try to show another way but you stayin' in the dope game
Now tell me what's a mother to do
bein' real don't appeal to the brother in you
You gotta operate the easy way
"I made a G today" But you made it in a sleazy way
sellin' crack to the kid. " I gotta get paid,"
Well hey, well that's the way it is
[Bridge]
[Talking:]
We gotta make a change...
It's time for us as a people to start makin' some changes.
Let's change the way we eat, let's change the way we live
and let's change the way we treat each other.
You see the old way wasn't working so it's on us to do
what we gotta do, to survive.
[3]
And still I see no changes can't a brother get a little peace
It's war on the streets & the war in the Middle East
Instead of war on poverty they got a war on drugs
so the police can bother me
And I ain't never did a crime I ain't have to do
But now I'm back with the facts givin' it back to you
Don't let 'em jack you up, back you up,
crack you up and pimp smack you up
You gotta learn to hold ya own
they get jealous when they see ya with ya mobile phone
But tell the cops they can't touch this
I don't trust this when they try to rush I bust this
That's the sound of my tool you say it ain't cool
my mama didn't raise no fool
And as long as I stay black I gotta stay strapped
& I never get to lay back
'Cause I always got to worry 'bout the pay backs
some punk that I roughed up way back
comin' back after all these years
rat-tat-tat-tat-tat that's the way it is uhh
[Bridge 'til fade:]
Some things will never change
Mai Bee Lor
Professor Sabir
English 201A 8-8:50 am
25 October 2009
Reflection On My Writing Process
Cynthia and I also had chapter two: "The Son of a Panther." From this scene we both agreed to focus the scene about Tupac and his friends wanting to restart The Black Panther. We didn't want to just surprise the audience with this idea. We lead up to that scence by Tupac talking to his mother about The Black Panther.
The poem we thought fit our scene was, "Family Tree." This poem talked about how he's proud of his family history. He has always been surrounded by Panthers. In this chapter, Dyson also mentioned that Tupac is curious and interested in his history so we thought it would be perfect to use this poem. We wanted to be a little creative so we had Tupac shared it as in writing it for his mother.
The song we chose for this scene was, "Changes." Although this song was being used in many other chapters, we thought it would fit into our topic. This song talks about changing the world from being racist. We thought it is exactly what Tupac was trying to do, address racial oppression and stop it.
Professor Sabir
English 201A 8-8:50 am
25 October 2009
Reflection On My Writing Process
Cynthia and I also had chapter two: "The Son of a Panther." From this scene we both agreed to focus the scene about Tupac and his friends wanting to restart The Black Panther. We didn't want to just surprise the audience with this idea. We lead up to that scence by Tupac talking to his mother about The Black Panther.
The poem we thought fit our scene was, "Family Tree." This poem talked about how he's proud of his family history. He has always been surrounded by Panthers. In this chapter, Dyson also mentioned that Tupac is curious and interested in his history so we thought it would be perfect to use this poem. We wanted to be a little creative so we had Tupac shared it as in writing it for his mother.
The song we chose for this scene was, "Changes." Although this song was being used in many other chapters, we thought it would fit into our topic. This song talks about changing the world from being racist. We thought it is exactly what Tupac was trying to do, address racial oppression and stop it.
Kelley Yuen
Professor Sabir
English 201B
MW 1-250pm
Free Write: Procrastination (film)
• 30 minutes finding a pen
• Taking extra 10 minutes to find a right pen
• Reading a book
• Picking your nose
• Looking at magazine
• Watching television
• Day dreaming
• Drinking alcohol
• Getting a cup of tea
• Walking around
Success is like you had accomplished your work. You are on top of things and it feels good to complete a task. Success can lead you on to the right and a good path. You won’t fall behind, if you keep thinking that you need to succeed and get things done. Encouraging and setting a deadline for yourself, can make you be successful in your time management.
Procrastination can be a bad habit. It will be hard to become successful with that kind of habit. When we procrastinate, it waste our time of getting things done and limited your time of getting it finish.
In another way, I think if you are stressing too much because of work, procrastinating can help you relax and take a break.
Professor Sabir
English 201B
MW 1-250pm
Free Write: Procrastination (film)
• 30 minutes finding a pen
• Taking extra 10 minutes to find a right pen
• Reading a book
• Picking your nose
• Looking at magazine
• Watching television
• Day dreaming
• Drinking alcohol
• Getting a cup of tea
• Walking around
Success is like you had accomplished your work. You are on top of things and it feels good to complete a task. Success can lead you on to the right and a good path. You won’t fall behind, if you keep thinking that you need to succeed and get things done. Encouraging and setting a deadline for yourself, can make you be successful in your time management.
Procrastination can be a bad habit. It will be hard to become successful with that kind of habit. When we procrastinate, it waste our time of getting things done and limited your time of getting it finish.
In another way, I think if you are stressing too much because of work, procrastinating can help you relax and take a break.
# posted by : 9:42 PM
: 9:42 PM
Cynthia Phan & Mai Bee LOr
Professor Sabir
English210A 8-9am
26 Oct 2009
Chapter One: “Dear Mama”
(The song, “Dear Mama” playing in the background)
Narrator: Tupac’s relationship with his mother went from being cool to dictatorship, but altogether they were honest with each other. Tupac was hurt by his mother’s absences and her drug abuse. He still loved her and praised her in hi song, “Dear Mama.” His mother realizes the hurt/harm she has caused in Tupac’s life. She decides to go into rehab (Dyson 43).
Scene I: Mother comes out of a year in rehab.
Sekyiwa: Mother, I’m so proud of you for accomplishing one year of rehab! That must have been really hard.
(Sekyiwa hugs mother with both arms open)
Mother: I’m proud of myself too, baby. U can’t wait to see what Tupac will say. I bet he’ll be just as proud as you are.
(Tupac gets off plane and hands his mother 9 pages of letters)
(Mother looks at the pages, reading and flipping through the pages quickly)
Mother: All you have to say is you hoping that I really do stay clean? How about, “I’m happy to see you clean for a year now?”
Tupac: (firmly speaking) you cannot erase every single thing that you’ve done. You cannot expect me to believe that you can change simply because you said so.
Mother: I know that I hurt you deeply. I wish that you could someday find it in your heart to forgive me. I hope that your soul has strengthened from this experience and overcome trials you will face in life. I guess I can understand the importance for you to have space to heal the damage that I did. I wouldn’t prefer it, but I have no choice if I want you to forgive me. You are always challenging me and I thank you for that. You always helped me to stay honest.
Tupac: Mama, you know I value your love. I mean you raised me and my sister all by yourself. It isn’t easy. You never kept a secret/ always stayed real. Together we’ll overcome you addiction (with a sympathetic look).
Narrator:
Conclusion:
A River That Flows Forever
4 Mother
As long as some suffer
The River Flows Forever
As long as there is pain
The River Flows Forever
As strong as a smile can be
The River will Flow Forever
And as long as u R with me
We’ll ride the River Together
Written by: Tupac Shakur
Professor Sabir
English210A 8-9am
26 Oct 2009
Chapter One: “Dear Mama”
(The song, “Dear Mama” playing in the background)
Narrator: Tupac’s relationship with his mother went from being cool to dictatorship, but altogether they were honest with each other. Tupac was hurt by his mother’s absences and her drug abuse. He still loved her and praised her in hi song, “Dear Mama.” His mother realizes the hurt/harm she has caused in Tupac’s life. She decides to go into rehab (Dyson 43).
Scene I: Mother comes out of a year in rehab.
Sekyiwa: Mother, I’m so proud of you for accomplishing one year of rehab! That must have been really hard.
(Sekyiwa hugs mother with both arms open)
Mother: I’m proud of myself too, baby. U can’t wait to see what Tupac will say. I bet he’ll be just as proud as you are.
(Tupac gets off plane and hands his mother 9 pages of letters)
(Mother looks at the pages, reading and flipping through the pages quickly)
Mother: All you have to say is you hoping that I really do stay clean? How about, “I’m happy to see you clean for a year now?”
Tupac: (firmly speaking) you cannot erase every single thing that you’ve done. You cannot expect me to believe that you can change simply because you said so.
Mother: I know that I hurt you deeply. I wish that you could someday find it in your heart to forgive me. I hope that your soul has strengthened from this experience and overcome trials you will face in life. I guess I can understand the importance for you to have space to heal the damage that I did. I wouldn’t prefer it, but I have no choice if I want you to forgive me. You are always challenging me and I thank you for that. You always helped me to stay honest.
Tupac: Mama, you know I value your love. I mean you raised me and my sister all by yourself. It isn’t easy. You never kept a secret/ always stayed real. Together we’ll overcome you addiction (with a sympathetic look).
Narrator:
Conclusion:
A River That Flows Forever
4 Mother
As long as some suffer
The River Flows Forever
As long as there is pain
The River Flows Forever
As strong as a smile can be
The River will Flow Forever
And as long as u R with me
We’ll ride the River Together
Written by: Tupac Shakur
Cynthia Phan
Professor Sabir
English201A8-9am
26 Oct 2009
Song: "Dear Mama"
You are appreciated
[Verse One: 2Pac]
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
Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary?
Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day
And runnin from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside
And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
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
There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus: Reggie Green & "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac]
Lady...
Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Dear mama
Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Don't cha know we love ya?
[second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"]
[Verse Two: 2Pac]
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
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
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone because you cared for me
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
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: 2Pac]
Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I act craaazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
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 every day, 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
[Chorus]
Sweet lady
And dear mama
Dear mama
Lady [3X]
Professor Sabir
English201A8-9am
26 Oct 2009
Song: "Dear Mama"
You are appreciated
[Verse One: 2Pac]
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
Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool
with the big boys, breakin all the rules
I shed tears with my baby sister
Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids
And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama
When things went wrong we'd blame mama
I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell
Huggin on my mama from a jail cell
And who'd think in elementary?
Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day
And runnin from the police, that's right
Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside
And even as a crack fiend, mama
You always was a black queen, mama
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
There's no way I can pay you back
But the plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus: Reggie Green & "Sweet Franklin" w/ 2Pac]
Lady...
Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady
Dear mama
Place no one above ya, sweet lady
You are appreciated
Don't cha know we love ya?
[second and third chorus, "And dear mama" instead of "Dear mama"]
[Verse Two: 2Pac]
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
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
I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you
Cause when I was low you was there for me
And never left me alone because you cared for me
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
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: 2Pac]
Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, cause through the drama
I can always depend on my mama
And when it seems that I'm hopeless
You say the words that can get me back in focus
When I was sick as a little kid
To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did
And all my childhood memories
Are full of all the sweet things you did for me
And even though I act craaazy
I gotta thank the Lord that you made me
There are no words that can express how I feel
You never kept a secret, always stayed real
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 every day, 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
[Chorus]
Sweet lady
And dear mama
Dear mama
Lady [3X]
Cynthia Phan
Professor Sabir
English 201A8-9am
26 Oct 2009
Reflection on My Writing Process
My partner Mai Bee Lor and I did chapter 1 and 2 and I really like both skit that we had done. For chapter 1 we wanted to show the realtionship that Tupac and his mother Afeni has between each other because in chapter Dyson decribe them both having a close relationship at times, but it all changes when Afeni mess up her life. Even though, her life was mess up Tupac did not like it, but he still accepted his mother. So we decided to have a write a scene of Tupac and Afeni after she came out from rehab.
The song "Dear Mama" was chosen for this chapter because it explain alot about how Tupac and his Mother realtionship was like with the negative and positive roller coaster ride that they both experience. Also “Dear Mama” was delicate to Afeni by Tupac. The Poem we used A River That Flows Forever for written for mother and we thought that it would fit without skit because it kind of tell about how a mother would feel toward their children.
Professor Sabir
English 201A8-9am
26 Oct 2009
Reflection on My Writing Process
My partner Mai Bee Lor and I did chapter 1 and 2 and I really like both skit that we had done. For chapter 1 we wanted to show the realtionship that Tupac and his mother Afeni has between each other because in chapter Dyson decribe them both having a close relationship at times, but it all changes when Afeni mess up her life. Even though, her life was mess up Tupac did not like it, but he still accepted his mother. So we decided to have a write a scene of Tupac and Afeni after she came out from rehab.
The song "Dear Mama" was chosen for this chapter because it explain alot about how Tupac and his Mother realtionship was like with the negative and positive roller coaster ride that they both experience. Also “Dear Mama” was delicate to Afeni by Tupac. The Poem we used A River That Flows Forever for written for mother and we thought that it would fit without skit because it kind of tell about how a mother would feel toward their children.
Cynthia Phan
Professor Sabir
English201A 8-9am
26 Oct 2009
Chapter 2:“The Son of a Panther”
Narrator: Tupac expresses his feeling about The Black Panther to his mother. He and his friends talk about restarting The Black Panther (Dyson 53-55).
Scene I: Tupac discussing with mother about The Black Panther
Tupac: Mama, you know I’ve been wondering about something, The Black Panther.
Mother: What do you want to know about it?
Tupac: Well, I liked what you did. I liked what The Black Panther stood for, self-defense and class rebellion.
Mother: Oh, yes. Do you remember all the trouble we got in of I got in?
Tupac: Yes, I despite them for the fact that they abandoned you when you needed them most. You sacrificed everything.
Mother: Ah, yes. At least you and Sekyiwa grew up to be good kids.
Tupac: I hate how the police always singled me out to be punished for being son of a panther. They are always watching my every move like I was going to do something. Well you know what, ma, I’m going to give them something to talk about. Ma, I wrote this for you.
Family Tree
4 Mother
Because we all spring
from different trees
does not mean
we are not created equally
Is the true beauty in the tree
or in the vast forest in which it breathes
the tree must fight 2 breed
among the evils of the weeds
I find greatness in the tree
that grows against all odds
it blossoms in darkness
and gives birth 2 promising pods.
I was the tree who grew from weeds
and wasn’t meant 2 be
ashamed I’m not in fact I am proud
of my thriving family tree
Mother: Oh, Pac I’m so happy to hear that.
Tupac: I’m proud of my history and I want to do good like you did.
(End of scene one)
Scene II: Tupac discuss with friends about restarting The Black Panther after a fight in Marin City.
Tupac: I’m tired of feeling helpless. This is the late sixties.
Friend 1: Yes, us too. Next time when someone tries to pull something like this again then we’ll bust them up.
Tupac: No, what good would that do? I know, (deeply thinking) we’ll start up The Black Panther again.
Friend 2: Oh, that’s cool. We can be just like they were.
Tupac: Yes, but we’ll address racial oppression but in a more secretive way. We don’t have to be as violent as they were. We can avoid attention this way.
Friends 1: Go on, we’re listening.
Tupac: First, we need to respect ourselves, then we can learn to respect others. Second we’ll teach Black Pride. Third we all have to value education. That will be our self-defense and safe-guard.
(Friends all cheering and music starts to play in background)
All friends: That’s a great idea! We’ll be a self-defense mechanism against skinheads!
Professor Sabir
English201A 8-9am
26 Oct 2009
Chapter 2:“The Son of a Panther”
Narrator: Tupac expresses his feeling about The Black Panther to his mother. He and his friends talk about restarting The Black Panther (Dyson 53-55).
Scene I: Tupac discussing with mother about The Black Panther
Tupac: Mama, you know I’ve been wondering about something, The Black Panther.
Mother: What do you want to know about it?
Tupac: Well, I liked what you did. I liked what The Black Panther stood for, self-defense and class rebellion.
Mother: Oh, yes. Do you remember all the trouble we got in of I got in?
Tupac: Yes, I despite them for the fact that they abandoned you when you needed them most. You sacrificed everything.
Mother: Ah, yes. At least you and Sekyiwa grew up to be good kids.
Tupac: I hate how the police always singled me out to be punished for being son of a panther. They are always watching my every move like I was going to do something. Well you know what, ma, I’m going to give them something to talk about. Ma, I wrote this for you.
Family Tree
4 Mother
Because we all spring
from different trees
does not mean
we are not created equally
Is the true beauty in the tree
or in the vast forest in which it breathes
the tree must fight 2 breed
among the evils of the weeds
I find greatness in the tree
that grows against all odds
it blossoms in darkness
and gives birth 2 promising pods.
I was the tree who grew from weeds
and wasn’t meant 2 be
ashamed I’m not in fact I am proud
of my thriving family tree
Mother: Oh, Pac I’m so happy to hear that.
Tupac: I’m proud of my history and I want to do good like you did.
(End of scene one)
Scene II: Tupac discuss with friends about restarting The Black Panther after a fight in Marin City.
Tupac: I’m tired of feeling helpless. This is the late sixties.
Friend 1: Yes, us too. Next time when someone tries to pull something like this again then we’ll bust them up.
Tupac: No, what good would that do? I know, (deeply thinking) we’ll start up The Black Panther again.
Friend 2: Oh, that’s cool. We can be just like they were.
Tupac: Yes, but we’ll address racial oppression but in a more secretive way. We don’t have to be as violent as they were. We can avoid attention this way.
Friends 1: Go on, we’re listening.
Tupac: First, we need to respect ourselves, then we can learn to respect others. Second we’ll teach Black Pride. Third we all have to value education. That will be our self-defense and safe-guard.
(Friends all cheering and music starts to play in background)
All friends: That’s a great idea! We’ll be a self-defense mechanism against skinheads!
Cynthia Phan
Professor Sabir
English201A8-9am
26 Oct 2009
Song: "Changes"
[1]
Come on come on
I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself
is life worth living should I blast myself?
I'm tired of bein' poor & even worse I'm black
my stomach hurts so I'm lookin' for a purse to snatch
Cops give a damn about a negro
pull the trigger kill a nigga he's a hero
Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares
one less hungry mouth on the welfare
First ship 'em dope & let 'em deal the brothers
give 'em guns step back watch 'em kill each other
It's time to fight back that's what Huey said
2 shots in the dark now Huey's dead
I got love for my brother but we can never go nowhere
unless we share with each other
We gotta start makin' changes
learn to see me as a brother instead of 2 distant strangers
and that's how it's supposed to be
How can the Devil take a brother if he's close to me?
I'd love to go back to when we played as kids
but things changed, and that's the way it is
[Bridge w/ changing ad libs]
Come on come on
That's just the way it is
Things'll never be the same
That's just the way it is
aww yeah
[Repeat]
[2]
I see no changes all I see is racist faces
misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under I wonder what it takes to make this
one better place, let's erase the wasted
Take the evil out the people they'll be acting right
'cause both black and white is smokin' crack tonight
and only time we chill is when we kill each other
it takes skill to be real, time to heal each other
And although it seems heaven sent
We ain't ready, to see a black President, uhh
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact
the penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks
But some things will never change
try to show another way but you stayin' in the dope game
Now tell me what's a mother to do
bein' real don't appeal to the brother in you
You gotta operate the easy way
"I made a G today" But you made it in a sleazy way
sellin' crack to the kid. " I gotta get paid,"
Well hey, well that's the way it is
[Bridge]
[Talking:]
We gotta make a change...
It's time for us as a people to start makin' some changes.
Let's change the way we eat, let's change the way we live
and let's change the way we treat each other.
You see the old way wasn't working so it's on us to do
what we gotta do, to survive.
[3]
And still I see no changes can't a brother get a little peace
It's war on the streets & the war in the Middle East
Instead of war on poverty they got a war on drugs
so the police can bother me
And I ain't never did a crime I ain't have to do
But now I'm back with the facts givin' it back to you
Don't let 'em jack you up, back you up,
crack you up and pimp smack you up
You gotta learn to hold ya own
they get jealous when they see ya with ya mobile phone
But tell the cops they can't touch this
I don't trust this when they try to rush I bust this
That's the sound of my tool you say it ain't cool
my mama didn't raise no fool
And as long as I stay black I gotta stay strapped
& I never get to lay back
'Cause I always got to worry 'bout the pay backs
some punk that I roughed up way back
comin' back after all these years
rat-tat-tat-tat-tat that's the way it is uhh
[Bridge 'til fade:]
Some things will never change
Professor Sabir
English201A8-9am
26 Oct 2009
Song: "Changes"
[1]
Come on come on
I see no changes wake up in the morning and I ask myself
is life worth living should I blast myself?
I'm tired of bein' poor & even worse I'm black
my stomach hurts so I'm lookin' for a purse to snatch
Cops give a damn about a negro
pull the trigger kill a nigga he's a hero
Give the crack to the kids who the hell cares
one less hungry mouth on the welfare
First ship 'em dope & let 'em deal the brothers
give 'em guns step back watch 'em kill each other
It's time to fight back that's what Huey said
2 shots in the dark now Huey's dead
I got love for my brother but we can never go nowhere
unless we share with each other
We gotta start makin' changes
learn to see me as a brother instead of 2 distant strangers
and that's how it's supposed to be
How can the Devil take a brother if he's close to me?
I'd love to go back to when we played as kids
but things changed, and that's the way it is
[Bridge w/ changing ad libs]
Come on come on
That's just the way it is
Things'll never be the same
That's just the way it is
aww yeah
[Repeat]
[2]
I see no changes all I see is racist faces
misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under I wonder what it takes to make this
one better place, let's erase the wasted
Take the evil out the people they'll be acting right
'cause both black and white is smokin' crack tonight
and only time we chill is when we kill each other
it takes skill to be real, time to heal each other
And although it seems heaven sent
We ain't ready, to see a black President, uhh
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact
the penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks
But some things will never change
try to show another way but you stayin' in the dope game
Now tell me what's a mother to do
bein' real don't appeal to the brother in you
You gotta operate the easy way
"I made a G today" But you made it in a sleazy way
sellin' crack to the kid. " I gotta get paid,"
Well hey, well that's the way it is
[Bridge]
[Talking:]
We gotta make a change...
It's time for us as a people to start makin' some changes.
Let's change the way we eat, let's change the way we live
and let's change the way we treat each other.
You see the old way wasn't working so it's on us to do
what we gotta do, to survive.
[3]
And still I see no changes can't a brother get a little peace
It's war on the streets & the war in the Middle East
Instead of war on poverty they got a war on drugs
so the police can bother me
And I ain't never did a crime I ain't have to do
But now I'm back with the facts givin' it back to you
Don't let 'em jack you up, back you up,
crack you up and pimp smack you up
You gotta learn to hold ya own
they get jealous when they see ya with ya mobile phone
But tell the cops they can't touch this
I don't trust this when they try to rush I bust this
That's the sound of my tool you say it ain't cool
my mama didn't raise no fool
And as long as I stay black I gotta stay strapped
& I never get to lay back
'Cause I always got to worry 'bout the pay backs
some punk that I roughed up way back
comin' back after all these years
rat-tat-tat-tat-tat that's the way it is uhh
[Bridge 'til fade:]
Some things will never change
Cynthia Phan
Professor Sabir
English 201A8-9am
26 Oct 2009
Reflection On My Writing Process
For Chapter 2 we wanted to focus on how Tupac is discussing with his friend about wanting to make a change and start restart the Black Panther with new perspective so that police will leave them alone and not harass them as much. Tupac wanted to make a change for himself and others around him.
We used the song “changes” because Tupac was going through many changes in his life. The poem “Family Tree” was a good pick for this skit because it talked about family and the history behind it. Tupac really cherish his family moments so we thought that this poem was going to tell a lot about family and the history.
Professor Sabir
English 201A8-9am
26 Oct 2009
Reflection On My Writing Process
For Chapter 2 we wanted to focus on how Tupac is discussing with his friend about wanting to make a change and start restart the Black Panther with new perspective so that police will leave them alone and not harass them as much. Tupac wanted to make a change for himself and others around him.
We used the song “changes” because Tupac was going through many changes in his life. The poem “Family Tree” was a good pick for this skit because it talked about family and the history behind it. Tupac really cherish his family moments so we thought that this poem was going to tell a lot about family and the history.
Julianne Bauer
Professor Sabir
English 201B
28 October 2009
I liked the film on procratination, I liked how they were explaining what they were doing in the video.
Professor Sabir
English 201B
28 October 2009
I liked the film on procratination, I liked how they were explaining what they were doing in the video.
# posted by : 2:17 PM
: 2:17 PM
Julianne Bauer
Professor Sabir
English 201B
2 November 2009
In the Song Me Against the world Tupac states its better to dream of riches and to ask questions and to change people.
I liked how he put all three of these words in his song. I think it fits perfect in the song. Tupac wants to decribed how he is alone in the world and dreaming of riches. Tupac also had ask questions in the song, Tupac would want to have people ask questions. Tupac would ask questions. Change people Tupac wanted to change his friend but he couldn't because everything was going crazy.
Professor Sabir
English 201B
2 November 2009
In the Song Me Against the world Tupac states its better to dream of riches and to ask questions and to change people.
I liked how he put all three of these words in his song. I think it fits perfect in the song. Tupac wants to decribed how he is alone in the world and dreaming of riches. Tupac also had ask questions in the song, Tupac would want to have people ask questions. Tupac would ask questions. Change people Tupac wanted to change his friend but he couldn't because everything was going crazy.
# posted by : 1:52 PM
: 1:52 PM
Julianne Bauer
Professor Sabir
English 201B
3 Novemeber 2009
Reflection on my writing Process
When I was writing the skit, I was going to have it where it was set in the present. When they got out of the concert went to the Elephant Bar to have dinner. My characters were Snoop Doog,Ray J, Warren G and Nate Dogg talking to each other about Tupac. Then they would hear the song "Me Against the World" And then have Warren G remember going to Tupac house to have Warren G look at the poem of "Sometimes I cry".
In the performance I had Rhanda and two other women in the skit. We perform on October 14.
I think everybody did a good job acting out the characters. The class seemed to be interested in the skit.
Professor Sabir
English 201B
3 Novemeber 2009
Reflection on my writing Process
When I was writing the skit, I was going to have it where it was set in the present. When they got out of the concert went to the Elephant Bar to have dinner. My characters were Snoop Doog,Ray J, Warren G and Nate Dogg talking to each other about Tupac. Then they would hear the song "Me Against the World" And then have Warren G remember going to Tupac house to have Warren G look at the poem of "Sometimes I cry".
In the performance I had Rhanda and two other women in the skit. We perform on October 14.
I think everybody did a good job acting out the characters. The class seemed to be interested in the skit.
# posted by : 5:28 PM
: 5:28 PM
nice post. I would love to follow you on twitter. By the way, did you learn that some chinese hacker had busted twitter yesterday again.
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# posted by : 6:54 AM
: 6:54 AM << Home
