African American and Black Panther Party
Jake Haemmerle
Dr. Bruce Wendt
A.P U.S History
30 May 2014
“Changes”
Tupac Shakur was one of the influential rappers during his lifetime and still influences artists of today. Unfortunately one night while in Las Vegas Tupac was a victim of a drive by shooting which ended his life 4 days later.. Tupac was an extraordinary rapper, mediocre actor, a fantastic poet and an equal rights activist. Two years after his tragic death Tupacs record company released the song ‘Changes’ as part of his double record. Changes is a not your stereotypical rap song. The song was remixed with ‘ The way it is’ by Bruce Hornsby and The
Range. This song immediately rocketed to number one in many countries including the U.S. As an activist Tupac uses references of police brutality, the war on drugs and The Black Panther
Party.
He uses his lyrics to describe the life of living in the ghettos and the everyday worries of a minority. The Black Panther reference ‘ two shots in the dark, now Huey’s dead.’ The founder of The panther Huey P. Newton and his murder. The main reference of the song is how America isn't changing. African Americans are still getting mistreated and nothing has changed since the civil rights movements. They are still living in poverty and living off welfare, they are still racist people who judge them. No one cares what they do anymore. It’s a different story in the news when a black boy kills someone then when a white kid does. When a black boy gets murdered it is not a big deal because it happens all the time. But on the other hand when a white boy from the suburbs gets murdered it makes national news. What about Trayvon? What if a black man would have killed him? Would America still make a big deal about it all? No they
wouldnt but when a White man shoots down an innocent black boy all hell breaks loose.
Nothing is fair in life but the least we could do is give everyone equal love no matter what kind of background they come from. America
Dr. Bruce Wendt
A.P U.S History
30 May 2014
“Changes”
Tupac Shakur was one of the influential rappers during his lifetime and still influences artists of today. Unfortunately one night while in Las Vegas Tupac was a victim of a drive by shooting which ended his life 4 days later.. Tupac was an extraordinary rapper, mediocre actor, a fantastic poet and an equal rights activist. Two years after his tragic death Tupacs record company released the song ‘Changes’ as part of his double record. Changes is a not your stereotypical rap song. The song was remixed with ‘ The way it is’ by Bruce Hornsby and The
Range. This song immediately rocketed to number one in many countries including the U.S. As an activist Tupac uses references of police brutality, the war on drugs and The Black Panther
Party.
He uses his lyrics to describe the life of living in the ghettos and the everyday worries of a minority. The Black Panther reference ‘ two shots in the dark, now Huey’s dead.’ The founder of The panther Huey P. Newton and his murder. The main reference of the song is how America isn't changing. African Americans are still getting mistreated and nothing has changed since the civil rights movements. They are still living in poverty and living off welfare, they are still racist people who judge them. No one cares what they do anymore. It’s a different story in the news when a black boy kills someone then when a white kid does. When a black boy gets murdered it is not a big deal because it happens all the time. But on the other hand when a white boy from the suburbs gets murdered it makes national news. What about Trayvon? What if a black man would have killed him? Would America still make a big deal about it all? No they
wouldnt but when a White man shoots down an innocent black boy all hell breaks loose.
Nothing is fair in life but the least we could do is give everyone equal love no matter what kind of background they come from. America