...Introduction + Tone/Meaning The song, written by rapper Tupac Shakur, Keep Ya Head is a song dedicated to black woman. It's a self-love feminist anthem, that showed that Tupac care about the woman in his community. The message of the song is conveyed clearly and concisely, and although it uses similes, metaphors, symbolism, and other literary devices to get the point across, the message is very clear. The song is very upbeat and positive, like it is a song to uplift people, particularly the black woman. It meant to say, life is gonna get better, and no matter what happens you just gotta keep your head up. Song Interpretation The first verse tackles the abuse black woman face from black men, questioning their actions. For example, he says, in the song, “I wonder why we take from our women, Why we rape our women, do we hate our women?, think it’s time to kill for our women, Time to heal our women, be real to our...
Words: 964 - Pages: 4
...Lyric Essay “You are appreciated.” This is the main point that Tupac is projecting throughout his song to make sure that his listeners and his mother understand. This song, “Dear Mama”, was written to tell the mishaps and unfortunates he faced through his childhood up until his early adulthood. Also he tells the story about life growing up with a single mother as a parent and having siblings that he also shared the same pain with him. He begins the song by letting his mother know he is grateful for everything she has done for him. In life everybody will eventually need someone to lean on whether it’s just for comfort or for help. “Through the drama I can always depend on my mama.” (Tupac Dear Mama Verse 3). Most people lean on family members or close friends but very seldom do will they ask for help from anyone outside of that. In this song Tupac depends on his mother to help raise him because he is young and growing. He goes by saying that no matter if it was right or wrong his mother would always have his back. He explains how his family didn’t have anything but his mama always made something happen so that him and his sister could eat. Even though his mother did drugs she always provided for her family, “and even as a crack fiend mama, you always was a black queen mama” (Tupac Dear Mama Verse 1) In the song Dear Mama Tupac explains how he caused his mother so much stress and pain. “There’s no way I can pay you back, but my plan is to make you understand. You are appreciated...
Words: 640 - Pages: 3
...English 101 1DB Essay 3 November 4, 2013 Struggles of a Single Mother The struggles of a single mother are insurmountable. In the poem “ Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes writes prolifically about his mothers struggle. Tupac in his music video Dear Mama presents another strong argument on the struggles of a single mother. Both of these works deal with the struggles their mothers went through. However they present a different argument when it comes to the source of the struggle. Hughes poem doesn’t identify what exactly caused the struggle but it is reasonable to assume it was external circumstance. Tupac on the other hand repeatedly identifies himself as the cause of the struggle. Thus the arguments diverge. One argument deals with the struggle caused by external circumstances while another deals with the struggle of single motherhood caused by the children. I feel that the argument Tupac presents in his video is a more realistic and persuasive argument for singe motherhood. In the video “Dear Mama” Tupac uses his lyrics to tell the story behind the video. He uses realism in the lyrics as well as in the video. When the video opens up Tupac’s mother speaks about being seventeen, pregnant, and in jail. After she speaks, Tupac opens up the song by saying that his mother had nowhere to stay at seventeen once she was released from jail. The combination of the words of Tupac’s mother and Tupac himself creates a strong emotional appeal to the audience. This combination of...
Words: 595 - Pages: 3
...COM 202 Final paper WEEK 7- FINAL PAPER, MUSIC AND INFLUENCE In this essay we will explore the relationship, effects and influence of music on high profile events or movements for each decade since 1960-2010. We shall look at them in three segments First of all, the sixties a new dawn was on its way around the world most African Nations were calling for independence from colonial powers whiles in America, the civil rights movements was at its peak, Civil rights activist like Dr Martin Luther King, Malcom X. the nation of Islam and others where calling for an end to segregation and other oppressive conditions they were experiencing. “ Joan Baez’s we shall overcome (1963) originally focused on the civil rights movements, was a powerful way to bring people of different classes, background ,religions –but one shared value – together, and now has become the song any group trying to stand against old and needing change, practices uses. So I think it both changed, and continues to change the world today. It is still song today by everyone Cooke’s A change is going to come were also influential during the civil rights movements .Although there were define changes but People like Dr Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were brutally murdered. http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21143345 The Seventies now was slight better there were some changes and freedom in the air, when the Jackson Five dropped this ABC album. I was young then every young boy wanted to be Michael Jackson...
Words: 1351 - Pages: 6
...Ethics Essay Michael McPhetrige ETH316 09/19/2013 Mr. David Trammell Ethics Essay In our world, there are many different ways to approach ethics. We all have our different opinions on what ethics are, or as I like to say, our own ethical codes. However, we can relate to other peoples theories. Some theories that can be related to, but are different from each other, are virtue theory, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. “Utilitarianism is a theory that suggest that an action is morally right when that action produces more total utility for the group than any other alternative” (Boylan, 2009). Basically, utilitarianism looks out for the greater good of the group instead of an individual. This means that if you are a hinder to the group, making a change in yourself or your position to better the group is utilitarianism. I believe this theory is a very good one. It is about putting others before you. The world might be a better place if everyone thought this way. The Virtue theory is based more on an individual’s character. “It takes the viewpoint that in living your life you should try to cultivate excellence in all that you do and all that others do” (Boylan, 2009). Reading this I was thinking about “one hit wonders” in the music industry (especially rappers). In rap music, should someone be considered one of the greats because they made one good song? Or should rappers like Tupac and Eminem be legends because they have had multiple platinum selling albums?...
Words: 581 - Pages: 3
...Shekenya Knight MK Asante's Buck Through a Feminist Lens In M.K Asante's memoir Buck, controversial issues rise regarding invisibility, abuse, oppression, and silence. Malo grew up in Philadelphia during the 1980s. In my hometown, Norfolk, Virginia, I have experienced some of the same situations that Malo was in. I live in an area where there are drugs, families losing their children to the streets, and killings everywhere. The purpose of this essay is to examine the theme of invisibility, silence, abuse, and oppression in M.K Asante's Buck through theoretical framework in a feminist lens in regards to his mother, his sister, and the entertainers at the party. Through historical context, some people feel like mass incarceration has become the New Jim Crow. That is because the rise of drug wars and the explosion of the prison population, and because discretion within the system allows for arrest and prosecution of people of color at alarmingly...
Words: 1684 - Pages: 7
...Compare and Contrast the Maya, Aztec & Inca The following Essay must be a minimum of 5 paragraphs of 10-12 sentences each (a sentence is 10 words or more) . It must contain location, time periods, and capitals for each civilization. You must compare and contrast at least three of the following five topics ( Economy, Religion, Social System, Government, Technology). You will also describe the end of each civilization and it contributions. INTRO The Maya, Inca, and Aztec all have different things in common.The comparisons and differences about the 3 different groups. The comparisons and differences that will be throughout the essay is the Economy,technology and lastly government. Economy First the differences for the Maya is that they had their own prized possession. The possession that the Mayans traded was called Jade, they also carved humans (like gods and animals).The gods helped the Maya trade. Jade was a rare gemstone. The Maya traded goods with people living to the South for jade. Also The economy was based on trade. They participated in long distant trade. Wealthy merchants traveled further. What the Aztecs difference is that they fished a lot more than the other two groups. They fished for abundant crayfish. Lastly...
Words: 750 - Pages: 3
...Drew Daniels SOC 3381 25 October 2015 Class and Gender in Music and Film On the outside, America appears to be the land of opportunity, the land of freedom, and the land of equality. On the inside, this is anything but the truth. There are age-old systems of oppression built to keep long outdated beliefs in place today, and for many groups of people, it is inescapable. These systems cause social harm to lower class communities, to women, to non-binary peoples, and the most to individuals who fall into more than one of those classifications. Many writers and artists have sought to bring these issues of inequality into the public eye, having the most success telling their stories or the stories of others through music and film. Class oppression is very tricky subject to bring to light and analyze. While the American economic system is built in a way that allows everyone equal opportunities, there are limits that make it sometimes near impossible for lower and working class individuals to build better lives for themselves, limits that are not obvious to someone living outside of the poverty line. Jason DeParle writes about Kathryn Edin, a social worker who studies mothers in poverty and the struggles they go through providing for their children on but a monthly welfare check. While these mothers have the opportunity to get a job to support their families, they are often better off receiving government benefits; they can stay home and care for the children and take advantage...
Words: 1453 - Pages: 6
...Robert Sanders English 2342 (MW 11:302:00pm) Professor C. Robinson Research Essay “The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority” (Ken 1). A management technique used by Ken Blanchard that is very much relevant in more aspects of management. By definition, management is the process of dealing with or controlling things or people. Meaning influence, the power to have an effect on something or someone, could be considered a management strategy. In the black community, leadership is often based off who's influencing the community rather than the authorities. This can be seen in large movements like The Black Power Movement, where those who were influencing and leading the black community, were fighting against the authority. This movement was widely supported during its time. However, how can one be sure if this method can be effective in terms of delivering a message, and promoting the movement? Since these movements are put in place to create change, it is reasonable to base the success of a movement off its impact on today's society. The methods used in the fight for social equality for those lacking political power and cultural institutions, popularized by The Black Power Movement, has been adopted and implemented by today’s hiphop artist like Sean Combs, stage name Diddy; allowing the battle to be fought in a time where unity has become dwarfed by individuality. With black being the absence of hue and brightness, and bright being defined as ...
Words: 2003 - Pages: 9
...This article was downloaded by: [University of California Santa Barbara] On: 13 April 2012, At: 11:44 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/gred20 Scared Straight: Hip-Hop, Outing, and the Pedagogy of Queerness Marc Lamont Hill Available online: 20 Jan 2009 To cite this article: Marc Lamont Hill (2009): Scared Straight: Hip-Hop, Outing, and the Pedagogy of Queerness, Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies, 31:1, 29-54 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10714410802629235 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Full terms and conditions of use: http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions...
Words: 11001 - Pages: 45
...Based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton , Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical Hamilton aims to answer the question it poses in its opening lines: “How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman… grow up to be a hero and a scholar?” . Chronicling the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, from his difficult upbringing in the Caribbean to his death at the hands of his friend and rival Aaron Burr, Hamilton has received critical acclaim, 11 Tony Awards , and 7 Olivier Awards , amongst other accolades. This essay will focus on how Miranda represents race within the musical, though his decision to cast people of colour as most of the main roles, and his engagement with the narrative of actual people of colour during the American...
Words: 1201 - Pages: 5
...“Each generation must out of relative obscurity discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it” - Frantz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth In cultures all over the world, music can be seen encompassing many aspects of life for many individuals. It is a form of mass communication that speaks directly to society as a cultural form", and often reflects a collection and pattern of personal experiences. Hip-hop or rap, an art form and culture nearly thirty years old originating from The Bronx, New York, has provided a forum for Black and Latino youth to express their respective cultures and speak on a number of issues. Today, Hip-hop is a global phenomenon that appeals to almost all ethnicities and is synthesizing a new culture that goes beyond race, education, and income. Hip-hop has been under continual metamorphosis since its 1970’s inner-city inception. Some of the original artists like Kurtis Blow chose to lament everyday life in the ghettos. Others, Sugar Hill Gang among them, took a more dance inspired approach to the music. But for both these and other artists from the early years of rap through the late 1980’s including KRS-One, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah and LL Cool J, fast beats and socially relevant lyrics were among the primary components of the music. By the 1990’s a new face of rap music emerged. It began with Ice T and later gained popularity with artists such as NWA (Niggaz Wit Attitude) whose first album shocked and titillated the rap world with their...
Words: 7928 - Pages: 32
...Music in western civilization in 20th century Music is defined as sounds that are arranged in a particular pattern in which when played are exciting to hear or listen to. Music is commonly used as a form or relaxation and entertainment. The chronology of music started way back in the period of the medieval times when the chanting was introduced into most of the catholic churches. Music then had moved through the following stages up to until the modern day music (Burkholder, Grout & Palisca 2010, p. 276). It originated in the medieval era then moved to the renaissance, baroque, classical music which ushered in the romantic music which in turn paved way to the modern music and hence the contemporary music of the 20th century. Medieval music traces back to times when music was only done to kings and queens or generally the royal people. It later found its way to liturgical platforms where the music was introduced to the Roman Catholic churches as this time Christianity was real emerging. During this time many musical artists were priests or members of the clergy. As the music entered the renaissance era the printing media had already been established. There emerged a class of composers from the western nations of for instance France Belgium Netherlands etc. Music in this era had become strong with especially the use of instruments. This included the a cappella. As the music moved on to the baroque era it had started to be used to bring a certain mood. The music composers used...
Words: 1477 - Pages: 6
...offer advice based on institutional standards and past performance of the students, some staff suggesting that the students simply “don’t want to learn.” At the center of the film, lie the stories of the students. The students are skeptical of Ms. G and her interest in their lives. Initially, they resist her attempts and refuse to cross the self-inflicted boundaries they have designated in their classroom. Based on race, the students sit within self-segregated groups of Hispanics, African-Americans, and Asian-Americans. Ms. G attempts to break up the division by assigning students seats outside of their preferred area. They are not pleased with this move. In an attempt to connect the culture of the students with curriculum, Erin uses a Tupac Shakur song for a lesson on...
Words: 1651 - Pages: 7
...1. No society has ever existed, as far as we know, which has not exercised some form of censorship over the conduct and opinions of its members… Good morning teachers and students. Censorship by the government infringes upon the rights of the individual and inhibits freedom of expression. Now, censorship is a broadly used term so what exactly IS censorship? Well, censorship is defined by the Australian Macquarie Dictionary as ‘the actions of a censor – that is, an official who examines books, plays, news reports, films, radio programs (and more recently the internet), for the purpose of suppressing parts deemed objectionable on moral, political, military or other grounds’. Censorship has been around since the beginning of time. It has been used as a tool to control what others have access to. In Australia today, we are supposedly guaranteed the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press by our constitution. Yet censorship still exists. We are told censorship is necessary, but at what cost? National security and public interest, are these valid reasons? Why must the government decide what is best for me to read or watch in a cinema or in the privacy of my own home? Sure, we must protect our youth, but that is a parent's responsibility, not the government's. I can understand censorship based upon national security; we can't go around selling all of our secrets without a major threat to our government and our way of life. Censorship is a way of controlling the population...
Words: 3536 - Pages: 15
