Last week, we were looking at deductive arguments, that is, moving from the general to the specific. The topic was the recent oil spill in the SF Bay. We compared America to the SF Bay, Afeni's life to the crabs adversely affected by the pollution in their already polluted environment, and the oil spill to the trauma impacting Afeni's already compromised dysfunctional life.
I drew a Ven diagram on the board. It was a fun discussion. I was surprised at the unexpected depth the analogy allowed us when looking at Afeni's life. As I recall this, I am still baffled at how permission is given tacitly to overlook what is harmful when certain people are impacted or money is involved. Who overrode the governor's order to delay the crab fishing season? Why isn't the health of the public a consideration? The same can be said of Afeni's life. Her parents let her down, and the Black Panther Party let her down, even Lumumba let her down.
We shared our thoughts as we tried to develop a syllogism. Jenni came closest, although Pamela's reasoning was very interesting and insightful.
Essays are due tomorrow for the peer review. Tomorrow is also the last day to drop with a W. Kim is not continuing the class. We'll miss her. If students are concerned and unclear about their grades, let me know. Some of you haven't turned in any work and are behind, but we can make a plan.
Carroll said she was in a car accident last week. She said when I saw her today that she is doing well. See you in the morning in the classroom. I plan to show you another New Heroes video.
4 comments:
Nov 13,2007
"Three Thesis Statement"
#1) Afenie is a worm hearted person, everyone feel's safe around her presence.
#2) Afenie's adiction has a lot to do with the lyfe style she was presented and experienced throughout her living.
#3) Afenie set rule's for her man, in order to have sex with Afenie, Afenie requested marriage. " Committed marriage."
Semhar Kefela.
Nov 20,2007
The class disscused about our research papers, and also the class watched two movies.
Semhar Kefela
This is from October 11.
Freewrite - Changes: Compare to Tupac's other work
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The themes in "Holler If You Hear Me" by Michael Eric Dyson is synonymous with Tupac's song, "Changes." The main gist of the song pertains to Tupac's life in the ghetto. He speaks about how his brothers utilized drugs to escape the harsh realities of life. In Dyson's novel, Tupac was one of those drug and alcohol addicts who abused these substances as a reprieve because he felt as if he supported the world on his shoulders.
Drugs in Tupac's life directly correlates with the recurring theme of violence and poverty. In the novel, Dyson analyzes Afeni Shakur (Tupac's mother) and her motives for abusing illegal drugs. The stigma of abusing these substances mainly entails the poverty-stricken lifestyle that a person lives. Tupac was rapping (in "Changes) not only what he saw in his neighborhood, but also stemming from his past and his drug-addicted mother. Secondly, Tupac mentions the theme of violence, police and war. He sees countless brothers dying over such trivial things, which deeply saddens and disheartens him. Dyson says that Tupac "helped many desperate unhappy young people reclaim a sense of hope and humanity" (170). He wanted to bring about prosperity to unfortunate people like himself. Furthermore, Tupac mentions ("Changes") that America is fighting for a fabricated belief: "It's war on the streets and the war in the Middle East...Instead of war on poverty they got a war on drugs."
With all of these themes that enshrouded Tupac's arduous lifestyle, he questions himself: "Is life worth living should I blast myself?" The theme of death is ubiquitously mentioned between the song ("Changes") and Dyson's novel: "Of mourning death, seeking to kill, and desiring to die" (229). Through the culmination from racism, drugs, violence and poverty, Tupac felt as if his world was falling apart. He felt as if death was the only salvation in his life.
Works Cited
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Shakur, Tupac Amaru. Changes
Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler If You Hear Me. New York: Basic Books, 2001.
2Pac Lyrics - "Me Against the World"
Response
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In Tupac's song, "Me Against the World," he presents several underlying themes that represented his destructive and fickle lifestyle. In the first verse, Tupac mentions the theme of violence, which correlates with death. The other theme that Tupac incorporated into the song is his loneliness and his "dough-less" life.
Tupac mentions that violence is a recurring entity in his life. He says, "Stress in the city, the cops is hot for me...Constantly movin while makin millions." This shows that even through the violence, Tupac still manages to come out ahead. He also mentions, "Witness in killings...Addicted to killin...Without feelin, hard-headed Bastard." The juxtaposition between violence and emotional detachment shows that people in the area are killing without any remorse for their actions. The addiction in inflicting pain upon others makes one believe that violence is a normal characteristic of living in the ghetto. The inescapable loneliness that is associated with violence shows Tupac's distrust of strangers. He says, "No one in the world loves me."
In the second verse, the theme of loneliness and yearning is palpable: "I'm out here all by myself...Pictures of my birth on this Earth is what I'm dreamin." This shows how difficult Tupac's childhood was like since he didn't grow up with a solid father figure. He wished he had memories worth remembering. In addition, he sees "mo' death" and his financial woes. By "thievin," he's able to survive in the ghetto. He mentions, "Evil's lurking, I can see him smirking." Evidently, the urge to steal and pilfer is a recurring thought.
Through these various themes aforementioned, Tupac manages to convey his perception and views through his own lyrics. The arduous lifestyle that he lead made him a stronger and more defiant individual. By him going "against the world," he was able to assert himself "in a position of makin a difference."
Works Cited
Shakur, Tupac Amaru. Me Against the World
-Dale Wong
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