Matt:

I don't know about "symposium on crack-pipe imagery - as a manifestation of institutional white racism - in the early 80s ouvre of Philly rapper Schooly D.," but during my days at Brown, there was "Magic in the Middle Ages."

This wasn't just about studying myths and superstition in the Middle Ages. Students were taught to seek herbs to make magic potions and cast spells.

When you have such a weighty topic as spell-casting, "white racism" is simply not sexy enough.

Well, if the only way you can get kids interested in poetry is through the musings of Tupac, I say go for it. If one takes issue with the abbreviations or lack of grammar in the poem, I suggest looking at folks like... Rudyard Kipling:

An' 'e played the cat an' banjo with our forces.
So 'ere's ~to~ you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, at your 'ome in the Soudan;
You're a pore benighted 'eathen but a first-class fightin' man;

I would also suggest reading some of Tupac's poetry. For instance:
Ambition Over Adversity

Take one's adversity
Learn from their misfortune
Learn from their pain
Believe in something
Believe in yourself
Turn adversity into ambition
Now blossom into wealth

Sure, it's not my style, and I wouldn't approve of say... 13 year olds reading the stuff, but I don't have a problem with high schoolers or college students analyzing it.

Not to mention, you have to give a guy like Tupac quite a bit of credit for joining a writers circle while he was embroiled in the gangsta rap mess. A writer's circle which included his manager (Leila Steinberg) and his mother, former Black Panther Afeni Shakur. It might be years, but I think eventually people will come to believe what I believe regarding Tupac: because of his love for his mother, he was pressured to write rap songs for women. (Dear Mama, Brenda's Got A Baby, Keep Ya Head Up, etc) The current batch of rappers can't claim anything on that.

Hello all,
You know what the problem is.. The problem is that Tu-pac is black. And please, don't shut me out now. I'm not making excuses or using that old played out "I'M BLACK SO THE WORLD IS AGAINST ME LINE." I'm trying to make a point. And my point is that anytime anybody black does anything outside of what is expected of them there are questions. For example, Tiger Woods, who was neglected when he opted to be known as a great golfer and not a color. If he had decided to limit himself by category he would have been better accepted in the black community. But its deeper than Tiger or Tu-pac. Its every where. Its black history month, its the African-American section at Barnes and nobles. As long as we continue to view ourselves as just a color instead of humans we will only perpetuate all the things we fight so hard against. Why aren't whites referred to as polish-American, or European-American? Thats where they're from.... Its because they are viewed as the standard, which in that case would assume all others less than "standard." Its one thing to discuss Tu-pac as a hip-hop/poet, but to discuss how white America now shows interest is another. The only justifiable discussion here would be to stop categorizing. Since racism is no longer socially acceptable, the only way to hold on to the benefits of white supremacy would be to perpetuate the belief in it.

Amilton

Picasso was considered crude. Dickenson abused all notions of what might be considered correct grammar. JD Salinger was rewarded for writing what is now a classic by being banned from school districts across the nation. Apparently, all is not what it seems. Consider the idea that it may be possible to avoid literary and artistic blindness by thinking outside contemporary standards and social norms.

I am a student at the University of Washington and I took The Textual Appeal of Tupac Shakur (taught through the Comparitive History of Ideas department)spring quarter of this year. It was perhaps the most enlightening educational experience I have ever been a part of. And no, I do not mean education on how to be a rapper or live like a "thug." I mean education in the areas of history (contemporary and historical political movements), sociology (racial formation and race relations) and philosophy (metaphysics, ethics and epistemology), set against a backdrop of contemporary culture and flanked by the works of a man who somehow became politically, socially and historically accessible to millions - no small feat.

As Einstein said, "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."

Picasso, Dickinson and Salinger all fit into the cateogry of "great spirits" by contemporary standards. All were slandered against in their own times by "mediocre minds." So, before you judge someone on their literary or historical worth, consider who the "mediocre minds" of today are - and don't be one of them.

i just wanted to be on the internet!

I have to agree strongly with Anna: Tupac's work is of more relevance than that of certain other writers, even though they be more technically accomplished, due to the fact that his work is of substance and it has a greater depth. The fact that it is delivered in a particular vernacular only makes it more relevant and representative of the world it comes from - surely this is the role of language - Tupac didn't write for Dick Cheney, he wrote for those we wanted to reach. Failure to interpret and embrace his message has as much to do with linguistic snobbery as anything else.

Some would have us put the entire emphasis on form rather than the freedom to express. I think Shakur's work can be exploited in tandem with Shakespeare in schools so as to highlight both form and the perpetual nature of certain themes. What are you going to say to a child who speaks like Tupac? Don't open your mouth because what is coming out is wrong? That is hardly what I call education.

I am an English teacher (from Oxford) who teaches foreign adults in England. I have begun to make extensive use of Tupac's work and life in my classroom and outside of class for projects, mainly in the area of 'Crime & Punishment' but not exclusively. The whole issue that surrounds this 'messianic-thug' figure encompasses so much more than that.

I only wish some people would get off their high horses. When UCL (University College London) began to teach English Literature back in 1828, the academic world turned their noses up: now it's often perceived as one of a dying breed of 'real' subjects in a sea of ‘Mickey Mouse’ studies.

"Brevity is the soul of wit" (Hamlet, Act II, Scene II). Bitch.

Tupac was a hero, a poet, a victim, AND a rapper. Thats what made him great, he stuck to his roots, believed in himself, but opened his mind, enlightened people. He was stubborn and resistant, in a good way though. Depsite what anyone says, Tupac's being on this world for his short life was benevolant to all.

Tupac was a very strong person and kept his head high, he's poetry touched me as did to others but what isnt understandable is why they did an ortopsi on this man if they knew exactly how he died?? im sure this situation confuses alot of others as me!

Tupac was a very strong person and kept his head high, he's poetry touched me as did to others but what isnt understandable is why they did an ortopsi on this man if they knew exactly how he died?? im sure this situation confuses alot of others as me!

Although many believe tupac was a legend
i believe him to be a hero
a person who didnt quit when it got hard
but kept fighting
many of his poems i believe have been very influential
My favorite of his poems is "The Rose that grew from Concrete".

I belive that Tupac's poetry is capable of moving even the most cold hearted human beings. If you were brought up the way he was, and out of nothing You made yourself into an idle by your feelings and belifes.Then respect is the only thing you can offer.

i love tupac he is the best!! he rapped about everything that was real...he never held bak on anything and i respect him so much for that. He attacked issues that anyothers danced around perhaps making kids realise that they had a voice out there!!

i need help everyone!! i have an assigment due tomorrow and i was wondering if any of you can explain to me exactly wat tupacs song dear mama was about like...if you were to hear it for the first time wat would you think it was about ...please help me!!!

I love tupac and he is still alive

I love tupac and he is still alive

2pac is one tuff nigga..!do i think he is dead fuck no that nigga is live and well do his shit like he always has.!and he best be coming out with some more shit bc he is the hardest mother fucker out there..

heya well i think that tupac iz very very sexc and i wish he didn't die coz then i could purve but not only that he had a great tallent and he enspired me 2 do poetry and write lyrics!

i started reading tupac and his shit changed my vision on life itself. I been listning to his music since i was a young one. Today i listen to his music while reading his poetry. robmillerinohio@yahoo.com

i love tupac i hope hes still alive but i no he is remember this!
love from yo gurl
maranta

hay 2 all you bitchies out dea hes mine motherfucker and yes he is alive bitch keep somkin dat weed motherfucker toketoke and dont chock bitch west syde stay tru 2 pac and keep on smokin bitch l8as love you pac

2pac.Although he is no longer a part of this Earth. He is still apart of the people who choose 2 believe in everything he did,he was a young man with an old soul. I never new him I never went to his concert. Well maby thats becasue i was only about 5 when he took his last breath. I got into 2pac after watching 2pac ressurection. And wever since that noone could get me to stop talking about him. I am like so dedicated 2 him that when i get 15 I'm hopeing to do my room with all tupac.He changed my life. I write poetry and short stories now. He helped me through his music. I'm only 14 but i think that 2pac will and always be my biggest hero. He is like a father 2 me becasue he talked from the heart in his lyrics and poetry. My parents don't like Pac and i always try to get them to relize who he was, they just think he is a thuged out pimp. But that aint tru. He was the realest. And he will always be watching over us. Like he said He's going to die a G. and he's thuggin in Thugz Mansion.
R.I.P 2PAC AMURU SHAKUR
1971-1996

2pac.Although he is no longer a part of this Earth. He is still apart of the people who choose 2 believe in everything he did,he was a young man with an old soul. I never new him I never went to his concert. Well maby thats becasue i was only about 5 when he took his last breath. I got into 2pac after watching 2pac ressurection. And wever since that noone could get me to stop talking about him. I am like so dedicated 2 him that when i get 15 I'm hopeing to do my room with all tupac.He changed my life. I write poetry and short stories now. He helped me through his music. I'm only 14 but i think that 2pac will and always be my biggest hero. He is like a father 2 me becasue he talked from the heart in his lyrics and poetry. My parents don't like Pac and i always try to get them to relize who he was, they just think he is a thuged out pimp. But that aint tru. He was the realest. And he will always be watching over us. Like he said He's going to die a G. and he's thuggin in Thugz Mansion.
R.I.P 2PAC AMURU SHAKUR
1971-1996

Tupac is the best and that's the truth and i think that he doesn't get enough attention 4 his work

Tupac is the best and that's the truth and i think that he doesn't get enough attention 4 his work