 On the topic of education, 2Pac spoke eloquently about the types of things that make it difficult for a lot of inner city youth to learn. He suggested that everyone be required to take classes that cover the basics-reading, writing and arithmetic. he emphasized the fact that he not only enjoyed reading but that it was a practical skill to have mastered. While, he spoke about the practicality of people his age [17 at that time] having the three Rs mastered, he noted that the school curriculum should be designed to address and deal with social issues and concerns that are going on in people's day to day struggles. For example, he felt that in his high school MT Tamalpias, that there should've been classes that offered a realistic approach to money and economics, sex education, drugs, racism and police brutality. He summarized that these are issues people have to deal with everyday yet they are never really discussed in schools in a way that makes sense to youth. He noted that type of clinical approach often imparted by teachers when they did touch upon these topics left people feeling confused and turned off. Instead of being required to take foreign language, 2Pac suggested that youth be giving classes on how to understand political double talk. He questioned the usefulness of someone in the hood having to learn German while these same individuals could not understand the type talk his local politician uses when explaining why he did not keep a promise he made to the community. He wanted classes that would teach youth how to break down and really understand the system. As Pac rattled off his suggestion one could hear many of the youth in the audience clapping and nodding their heads in agreement. 2Pac brought his points home when he talked about how the educational system was out of date. He noted that it seemed like adults were concerned with having him and other students do 'busy work' just for the sake of keeping them occupied. He talked about how many parents saw school as a place to drop their kids off like a day care center and that it was disappointing that they remained uninvolved. Adults he noted, weren't prepared and up to the challenge of making education relevant for the kid about to enter into the 1990s and later 21st century. Pac was also candid when he spoke about his own participation in class. He noted that he found school to be boring and oftentimes he would do things to try and stir things up. He wanted to break the routine he noted.
 Hearing Pac speak about the role of adults and how they see young people as an after thought by way of their actions really struck cords in the audience. He spoke at length about the relationship he had with his mother and how she always encouraged him to be truthful no matter what the cost. He talked about how he was able to talk to his mom about things like sex and drugs and get honest answers. He talked about how his friends used to come talk to his mom because their own parents would not engage in such discussions. He noted that by not speaking to their kids, the youth are left to find answers in the streets. 2Pac also talked about taking responsibility for the types of choices you make in life and he was critical of some of his mother's choices. For example he questioned the wisdom behind her decision to move their family from New York City to Baltimore where at that time it had the highest rate of teen pregnancy, teen suicide, AIDS cases and teen violence in the entire country. 2Pac said he found himself placed in a sea of ignorance and felt like an outsider while living there. He also felt inspired to try and do some things to change the conditions and hence he made attempts to start campaigns that addressed his concerns. He said he hated feeling helpless and overwhelmed about conditions effecting him. In this film, 2Pac spoke about the legacy of living 8 of his 17 years under President Ronald Reagan. He spoke in depth about the types of miserable conditions his presidency spawned within the inner city. He was hoping that someone like Massachusetts Governor Dukakis or Jesse Jackson would be able to be elected and correct some of the wrongs. Pac noted how under Reagan there was a dramatic increase in homelessness and he suggested that Ronald Reagan could really set the tone to ending it if he opened up the White House and let some of the homeless live in the 1000 plus unoccupied rooms that existed there. 2Pac said he was puzzled as to how there could be homelessness in Washington DC when the president lives in a place with so many rooms. He noted that Reagan would've benefited by having the homeless live under his roof because they might be able to offer him some practical advise for solving some problems. They could give him a street perspective on certain situations. Pac's candidness and suggestions left the interviewers momentarily speechless.
There were so many other things 2Pac covered, unfortunately we weren't allowed to tape or get copies of the film. The people who control 2Pac's estate won't allow this film out. An exception was made for the conference. I was surprised to learn that 2Pac's mom Afeni does not have final say so on how 2Pac's estate is administered. As it was explained to me there is still a lot of unfinished business that needs to be tended to before she is finally given full control. I'm not up on all the particulars but apparently when one dies and all their affairs aren't in order, it can be an absolute nightmare for the family members left behind. It was explained that it took two years to of cutting through legal red tape to get 2Pac's recently released book of poetry published. In any case if one gets a chance to ever see this film please do so. No matter what one may think of 2Pac and all the controversy that later befell his life, this film is absolutely incredible and should be required in all schools for both youth and parents to see.If for any reason it bridges the generation gap. Even though 2Pac dropped his words 10 years ago, his remarks were representing the sentiments of many of the youth in attendance on Saturday's conference.
 The other highlight of the 2Pac Conference that really impacted people was the workshop put together by 2Pac's Godfather Geronimo Jijaga Pratt. He was the former Black Panther who was imprisoned for 27 years for a crime he didn't do. He brought together a panel of former Black Panthers and activists from the 60s.and 70s. Many of these guys had been to prison for long periods of time for their involvement in the Panther Party. They shared with the audience their upbringing and let the youth they were addressing know that too came from the hood. Many were former gang members or wayward youth who tried to get themselves together and change the system to bring about better tomorrows. They talked at length about the reasons why one should not 'set trip'. They talked about how the Panthers attempted to politicize many of the old street gangs and get them to re channel their energies to dealing with a common enemy of oppression.
You had brothas from LA who talked about how the old street gangs buried the hatchet and came together after the Watts Riots of 1965 with the intentions of doing good within the community. They spoke about the strong alliances and connections the Black and Latino community had on the west coast. It was really deep. They talked about political prisoners and they talked about the types of attempts that were made by the FBI under director J. Edgar Hoover to undermine and break up that unity. They talked about today's Hip Hop generation and what sort of steps one should consider to leverage power. They encouraged the youth to learn from past mistakes and to not be afraid to become leaders. They made it a point to let the audience know that when they had joined the Black Panther Party, many of them only 18 or 19 years old. All these brothas and sistas who spoke came from the heart to the point of being moved to tears. It was truly one of the most powerful workshops I had ever attended. I think the message from all those in that room was felt and heard loud and clear. If there was any reason to attend the 2Pac Conference it was just to hear the old Panthers speak to the youth. After the workshop everyone gathered around to take pictures. |