#HappyBirthdayTupac

Here's a excerpt from a Tupac essay[ His Poetic Justice] I wrote for my Non Fiction writing class:

Through his advocating eyes, he saw the world in a different light. And that is what I most respect. I loved the fact that he was not afraid to be a sensitive writer. He was brave enough to enlighten his culture and dedicate himself to the betterment of the black community. While watching “Tupac: Resurrection,” in an interview, Tupac spoke about what he thought the school curriculum should include. He said, “There should be classes on drugs, sex education, and police brutality. But instead we have classes on gym- physical education.” At an age when most boys indulged in drugs, sex and violence, Tupac wanted to make children aware of these delusions of being cool.

Listening to him speak, made me feel as though I was listening to a young Martin Luther or Malcolm X. His intelligence and philosophy was bigger than himself. The world was not ready which is why I believe is the reason he died. As the weight of the world and enemies began to become a burden, Tupac realized that he would not be on this earth for long. His lyrics and poems reflected his haunted feelings. In his infamous poem, “In the event of my demise”, he says, “I will die before my time/because I feel the shadow’s depth…” It was an alarming premonition but for some reason, we knew he was right. He knew he was right.

On September 13, 1996, ironically, an advocate for peace, love, equality and poetry would be violently murdered at the tender age of 25; an age where he remained to be mentally imprisoned- trapped between right and wrong and love and hate. This rebellious man was misunderstood and only judged by his actions. But I understand him. The more I studied Tupac, the more I was able to see our connection; a connection far deeper than us living in the same the city. We were alike; both finding outlets through poetry to express our deepest thoughts and feelings. Being two different people with the same complex minds, I found that both Tupac and I admire the art of thinking, learning and creating our own philosophies. I am intrigued by his paradoxical way of living. In “Tupac: Resurrection,” he proudly said, “Some people see Tupac as a poet, and some see me as a Thug. I’m a Gemini, I have two sides. "