Tupac Shakur 1994 Exclusive Interview With Ed Gordon
Summary
TLDRThe transcript captures a powerful dialogue addressing the harsh realities of life in impoverished communities, where residents feel compelled to arm themselves for protection due to rampant crime and police presence. The speaker, a voice of his generation, echoes the forgotten struggle of the past and the need for unity. He candidly discusses the impact of growing up without a father figure and the role models he found in the streets. He also reflects on his own transformation, from a time when he didn't care about survival to a newfound desire to live and represent his community positively. The conversation delves into societal pressures, the portrayal of black men in media, and the responsibility he feels to be a role model, despite the challenges and misconceptions.
Takeaways
- 😔 The speaker feels they live in a war zone, with a constant need for protection due to the high crime rate in their community.
- 👮♂️ There's a comparison made between the equipment used by the police and the need for residents to arm themselves for protection.
- 🔫 The speaker discusses the prevalence of guns and violence, emphasizing that it's a shared fear among both black and white communities.
- 🗣️ The importance of speaking out about the reality of living conditions is highlighted as a way to bring attention to societal issues.
- 👥 The speaker expresses a desire to unite people and use their platform to communicate a message to a large audience.
- 🔮 A transformation is mentioned, where the speaker no longer wants to be seen as someone who doesn't care about their life or reputation.
- 🙏 The speaker feels they are doing 'God's work' by being a voice for those in the community who are often overlooked.
- 🏡 There's a discussion about the impact of growing up without a father and the role models that filled that void.
- 🎓 Education is brought up as a missed opportunity due to financial constraints, and the speaker reflects on how it might have changed their path.
- 🤬 The speaker is angry and frustrated with societal norms and the treatment of black people, which fuels their drive to represent their community.
Q & A
What is the main challenge faced by the community described in the transcript?
-The community faces a high level of violence and crime, with people feeling the need to arm themselves for protection, similar to how the police are armed with rifles, riot gear, and other equipment.
Why does the speaker feel that they are doing God's work?
-The speaker feels they are doing God's work because they are advocating for the often overlooked and underprivileged youth in the ghetto, whom they believe are also God's children, and trying to bring attention and change to their plight.
What does the speaker suggest is the reason behind the police's need for heavy weaponry and protective gear?
-The speaker implies that the police require heavy weaponry and protective gear because they are fighting against the same crime elements that the community members are, suggesting a high level of crime and danger in the area.
How does the speaker describe the living conditions in the projects?
-The speaker describes the living conditions in the projects as extremely crowded and dangerous, with many people living in a single building, and a constant need for self-protection due to the proximity to criminal elements.
What does the speaker believe is the role of their generation in the fight for equality and justice?
-The speaker believes that their generation is picking up the fight for equality and justice where the Black Panthers left off, advocating for change and recognition of the struggles faced by their community.
Why does the speaker feel the need to carry a weapon?
-The speaker feels the need to carry a weapon for self-defense, citing personal experiences of being threatened and attacked, and the general dangerous environment they live in.
What does the speaker think about the portrayal of black men arming themselves in the media?
-The speaker thinks that the media portrays black men arming themselves as illegal or criminal, rather than for self-defense, which they believe is their right and necessity given the circumstances.
How does the speaker view the criticism that rappers are being 'pimped' by the record industry for their portrayal of thug life?
-The speaker disagrees with the idea that they are being 'pimped' and argues that everyone, including those in the record industry, are being 'pimps' in some way. They suggest that the portrayal of thug life is a reflection of reality and that it's the rappers who are influencing the culture, not the other way around.
What is the speaker's response to those who accuse them of promoting violence through their music?
-The speaker defends their music as a reflection of their reality and argues that they are not promoting violence but rather bringing attention to the violence that already exists in their community.
Why does the speaker feel that they have to be careful about their image and how they are perceived?
-The speaker feels they have to be careful about their image because it can prevent confrontations and because they want to be seen as a representative of their generation, not just as a 'tough' persona but also as someone with logic, compassion, and understanding.
Outlines
🔫 Survival and Struggle in War Zone
The speaker describes living in a war zone-like environment where carrying weapons is necessary for survival. They emphasize the shared fear of crime between black and white communities and the need for protection against the same criminal elements. The speaker also discusses the responsibility they feel to represent their generation, drawing parallels to the Black Panthers, and the importance of speaking out about the harsh realities of life in their community. They express a desire to live and be seen as more than just a criminal, reflecting on their past and the changes they've undergone, including a newfound sense of responsibility and a commitment to 'doing God's work' by advocating for those in similar situations.
👨👩👧👦 Family, Role Models, and Education
The speaker reflects on the absence of a father figure in their life and the impact it had on their upbringing, using their mother's experiences and advice as a guiding force. They discuss the influence of their environment on their values and choices, including the decision not to go to college due to financial constraints. The speaker also talks about their role as a provider for their family and the pressures and responsibilities that come with it. They express a desire to use their influence and experiences to create change, both in their community and beyond, highlighting the importance of authenticity and the complexity of their public image.
🤬 Anger and the Thug Life Persona
The speaker delves into the anger and frustration they feel towards societal structures that have marginalized them and their community. They discuss the concept of the 'thug life' as a survival mechanism rather than a choice, and how it is perceived by the media and the public. The speaker argues that their anger is a response to systemic oppression and the lack of opportunities, and they challenge the idea that they are being 'pimped' by the music industry. They assert their independence and the authenticity of their experiences, emphasizing the importance of representing the realities of their community.
🔍 Media Portrayal and Self-Defense
The speaker addresses the media's portrayal of black men arming themselves as criminal, arguing that it is a necessary form of self-defense in their community. They highlight the disparity in how black and white communities are policed and the different levels of security provided. The speaker also discusses the responsibility they feel to speak out about violence in their community, using their platform to raise awareness and to encourage non-violence. They express the desire for their community to be seen and treated with the same respect and value as others, and they reflect on the potential consequences of their actions and words.
🛡️ Community Protection and the Fight for Respect
The speaker reiterates the need for protection in their community, drawing parallels between the tools used by the police and those used by residents for self-defense. They discuss the importance of unity and the responsibility they feel to represent their community, emphasizing the shared fear of crime. The speaker also reflects on their role as a spokesperson for their generation, expressing a desire to live and to be seen as more than just a criminal. They discuss their commitment to 'doing God's work' by advocating for those in similar situations and the importance of being a positive influence, despite the challenges and dangers they face.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡War Zone
💡Self-Defense
💡Ghetto
💡Pacifism
💡Thug Life
💡Role Model
💡Black Panthers
💡Systemic Racism
💡Poverty
💡Community
💡Survival
Highlights
Living in a war zone and the necessity to carry protection due to the high crime rate in the community.
The police carrying heavy weaponry and riot gear, indicating the severity of the situation.
The realization that the same crime elements feared by white people are also feared by black people.
The responsibility to represent one's generation and continue the fight for equality.
The importance of uniting and using the platform to communicate with a large audience.
The desire to live and not be remembered as a criminal or rapist.
The transformative journey from not caring about life to wanting to make a positive impact.
The belief in doing God's work by advocating for those in the ghetto.
The lack of positive role models and the influence of negative figures in the community.
The impact of growing up without a father figure and its effects on personal development.
The struggle of financial limitations preventing educational opportunities.
The sense of responsibility to provide for one's family and the sacrifices made.
The potential to influence and inspire youth across different backgrounds.
The challenge of maintaining one's authentic self while being portrayed by the media.
The anger and frustration towards societal structures that perpetuate inequality.
The critique of the music industry and the exploitation of black artists for profit.
The defense of the right to bear arms for self-defense in high-crime areas.
The plea for understanding and support from the community and its leaders.
Transcripts
you know I'm saying it's that it's that
situation when you got we are living in
a war zone it's not as easy as these
people are making a stink that if you
just got some criminal ass black kids
with guns it is not like that we live in
hell we live in the gutter we got a
stacked up 80 deep in one building you
know by the time you get out your house
you strap it to protect yourself cuz you
living in the same community if the
police is carrying rifles and riot gear
saying they need them right right excuse
my language I'm so sorry the same
reasons they need the right hat the
right jacket the flak jacket the double
vest the nine-millimeter Glocks with
extra bullets the teargas the mace all
who do you think the police is using
that against dogs so we fighting the
same villains that they fight in the
street but instead of them seeing us
Martin bill is in the street we all
billets is your generation the one that
is picking up for where the Panthers
left off saying all right enough is
enough
the generation before us forgot about
the fight we're picking it back up
not only forgot about the fight forgot
about us yes and we're picking it back
up but at this level all we're trying to
do is unite and right now as a year we
got a million people that's listening
now we can tell them something
now we could try to get them that way
and we might lose them we might gain
something but we would never even had
that audience had we not said what was
real you know I'm saying and the main
thing for us to remember is that the
same crime element that white people are
scared of black people are scared of the
same crime element that white people
fear we fear so we defend ourselves from
the same crime element that they scared
of you know I'm saying why they wait for
the legislation in the past and
everything we next door to the killer
we next door to him you know cuz me up
into projects with 80 in the building
all them killers that they letting out
they right there in that building but
it's better this cuz we black we get
along with the killers or something we
get along with the rapist cuz we black
and we from the same what is that we
need protection to finally I want to ask
you about something that someone else
asked you in the interview and I thought
the answer was interesting because I
think it speaks to you and your
generation a lot someone said where do
you see Tupac ten years from
you said hey I just want to be alive
that's real for you that's so real I
can't I made a metamorphosis I'm a new
person today because I used to strongly
and honestly honestly I feel like I
could represent my generation so much
because I honestly did not care whether
I lived or died but now I cannot die
with people thinking I'm a rapist or
criminal
I can't leave straight you know I'm not
suicidal I'm not I can't go
let's see y'all really know what time it
is and then after that boom it's all
over and we could see you know before
but that's how it is and reason being is
because if I can't live free if I can't
live with the same respect as the next
man I don't want to be here because God
has cursed me to see what life should be
like if God wanted me to be this person
and be happy here he wouldn't let me
feel so oppressed he wouldn't let me
feel so trampled on you know I'm saying
he wouldn't let me think the things I
think so I feel like I'm doing God's
work you know I'm saying just because I
don't have nothing to pass around for
people to put money in the bucket don't
mean I ain't doing God's work I feel
like I'm doing God's work you know I'm
saying because these ghetto kids ain't
God's children and I don't see no
missionaries coming through there you
know I'm saying so I'm doing God's work
while Reverend Jackson do hit up in the
middle class and he go to the right
house and have dinner and pray over the
president I'm up in the hood you know
I'm saying doing my work with my folks
and just cuz I don't live dead I mean I
don't go there I got to go there cuz I
can't hang nowhere else
what would a Vietnam vet be like without
a sergeant without any backup without
any other soldiers nobody but a Vietnam
vet in Vietnam when he came on how would
he be and that's me I had to go through
all that Street war everything the same
drugs that everybody else get turned out
on you know where I would've been
stopped short it I made it pass and
here's where I am but because I made a
pass I missed some lessons you know I'm
saying and you can see the lessons that
I miss when you talk to me you can see
where where I haven't had a father when
you talk to me you know I'm saying you
can see where I spent a lot of my time
in the streets when you talk to me
because the words I said I know words
that come from a mother's mouth or a
father's mouth is words that comes from
a pimps mouth or a prostitute or a
hustler or a drug dealer you know I'm
saying but to me these were my role
models how much of that though in terms
of growing up without a father sometimes
not being with your mother do you do you
lament on and look back and say damn I
missed something big everything um I
know for a fact that had I had a father
how to have somebody and I hate saying
this cuz why people love hearing black
people talk about this but had I had a
father had I had some of these
opportunities I'd have been able to help
my mother more she wouldn't have went
the road she went I could have been a
better son you know I'm saying she
wouldn't went that road it was the
absence of my father you know I'm saying
I'm dealing with him being daddy not
being there my mother's dealing with him
getting my man not being there you know
so many problems in our community that
that affect everything so by me not
having that I never want to hear nothing
about no kind of relationships between a
black man and a black woman I knew they
didn't work because as far as I knew my
daddy was the coolest dude out there and
my mama was a panther so dating work it
don't work that's how I felt you know
I'm saying and going out there
you don't saying it's like watching my
mother just go through changes and
everything it's like my mother is my
partner she is soldier you know she a
soldier like I'm a soldier you know I've
watched the repeat the game that she
went through if I would have went to
saying when my mother went had not she
did her route and showed me which way it
went wrong with her
my mother always told me don't you ever
ever just volunteer yourself to our
people because they'll use you that's
what they do
you know I'm saying she never she also
told me follow my heart
and for me to be the leader but it's
interesting to see just the change in
your face your reaction your thought
process that's all I ever wanted did you
ask my mama I wanted to go to college I
went to school all the way and was ready
to go to college the only thing that
stopped me was money the time we packed
all my all the kids in my school was
writing applications to go to college I
didn't have no life so knowing that you
and I need my mama's fault you know I'm
saying so when I think back to that I'm
not talking for me I'm talking for my
family I pay all the bills you know I'm
saying I feed my whole family wrong all
right
I do and I can't stop you know I'm
saying if tugging is gonna make me a
million bucks cuz it just got me
pregnant that's what I got to do
constantly and if it makes me feel
because right now I feel satisfied I
don't feel like I've ever embarrassed
myself or my people you know and nothing
I've done and ya know I got the whole
world theory you know I'm saying
at 23 weighing 160 pounds you know
saying and I ain't even started
I haven't even wrote my plan out yet and
they scared I got the vice-president
Know Who I am the president every cop in
every city you know I'm saying and I
haven't even started working on a plan I
have something to offer the business
that hasn't been shown before you know I
have a whole energy that represents not
just black youth but white youth Mexican
youth you you know I'm saying that that
um that change right before you go from
being 18 and unresponsible so when you
go to being like 21 22 and the whole
worlds on your shoulders I believe
strongly that um my audience empathize
with me because I showed that side I
showed that emotion raw uncut good and
bad and so I think I can bring that more
fun more directed into the screenplays
more albums producing managing you know
I'm saying if I can figure out just how
to control it
I can I can use it on a lot of different
levels
I tripped off because it happens out of
nothing it just goes you know everybody
just be screaming to that you know I
just I get uncomfortable and I it's like
it's like I'm similar to a deer being
caught in the headlights I just freeze
you know I don't know what to do I don't
know if I should um be what they want me
to be or if I should make them hate me
so they can stop you know like say
something mean so they can just stop but
I'm also I'm just like caught in the
middle of it because you can't I mean no
one could do that police can't do that
they can't stand in front of all those
people we're controlling with a gun and
mace and all that so me with just words
it's like a battle to find the right
words to say at the right time I'm
curious when you when you think about
the idea that you do have that kind of
control over so many people and in one
sense the whole idea of being a role
model comes up in the imagery and a lot
of people who know you and I talked to
them beforehand suggested that hey you
know when you meet him he's gonna be
something entirely different than you
imagine and what the media is portraying
them what about that idea that that you
have been portrayed and sometimes I mean
to be honest you like the portrayal of
you just hard
that's uh that's right don't step on me
that's right you're in trouble
that's right yet there's another side to
you too what about that idea that you've
got to be able to figure out where
you're going to me it's like um
it is my sensitive side that um that
likes to blow up the hard side because
if my if I can if my image or my
reputation can stop a confrontation
before it happens I'm fine you know I'm
saying I know how it is day-to-day it's
a constant man ego check going on
industry in this world so part of that
is just like you know that's my that's
my resume but as far as the media they
look at it something different they
don't care about my resume they don't
care about me knocking in trouble it's
just another story you know and it's a
real story they don't have to pay for it
and they're gonna milk it for all it's
worth as far as people they want me when
they first see me to humble myself they
want me to be like this and do it in
just because they're scared of me but I
don't feel like that's my job to humble
myself to show you that I'm not
right I'm not a threat unless you're a
threat to me you know I'm saying so when
people say when you meet pop she's
different than the years because when
somebody one-on-one anybody one-on-one
I believe honestly that I can talk I
believe that I have the ability to
reason I have logic I have compassion I
have understanding if we talk there's no
problems you know it's there but that's
not what happens people use what they
heard in the media and that's how they
come at me and then you know we got a
clash one of the things that you read in
the media is that you're angry that you
personify your generation that you just
got some angry folks out there and
you're one of them I'll put it to you
are you angry are you angry with what
you see Society is about yeah I'm I'm
extremely angry confused you know a lot
of the times I set up in court I
couldn't defend myself you know I'm
saying and it was it wasn't like the
things they were saying about me were
beyond my comprehension or the things
that I could say weren't gonna help my
case but because I mean I was just like
being exiled you know from from society
and that's how I feel and this whole um
anger comes from
I'm tired of waiting for my past to get
into society all everyone's do was make
me and everybody around me feel more
comfortable about where we were you know
I'm saying about the places that we stay
we we this is our home base let's build
it up let's be happy about where we come
from you know I'm saying instead of
trying to assimilate and get a passkey
to it yet you know I'm saying not to say
that everything needs to be separate but
we gotta find pride in ourselves you
know I'm saying and and once you get to
pride like family at two seconds after
the prior comes anger from being held
like that for so long and to be made to
go through those changes you get mad you
know I'm saying as soon as I believe
soon as any black man receives his first
three checks he starts getting mad
because it's not about the necessity of
having to have a job and having to pay
and having to do that you don't care no
more about the smiles and you know yes
massa
because you didn't got paid you know I'm
saying and now it's like you want to
save money you want to help other people
you see how how far it is how far you
have to go to help anybody in your
neighborhood it's set up for me when I
get paid for me to exit together you
know I'm saying the only reason I've had
these problems because I haven't left
yet and these problems don't come from a
white man
it comes from just society the problems
that we have let me put this to you a
lot of people tell me to pocket is for
the most part a nice guy
there's so third thing hyper good for
record sales helps them identify with
the young people who are out there and
angry who would maybe label him a
sellout like they did hammer if he
didn't have that heart about first of
all nobody could call me a sellout I'm
not I'm not going for that I'm not even
in that I'm not I'm not looking for
approval from the black community
because we don't give approval you know
we don't really do nothing but exists so
it's not like I'm black people could
tell me you a sellout or you true-blue
you know saying it's not that I'm not
even caught up in that but I can see
that you know I'm saying the one thing
we do have in common as black people is
we share that poverty so the thug side
is more closer to the poverty than me
being rich you know how can I come to
any community center you know I'm saying
spoiling a Rolex presidential all these
diamonds and be like look we gotta gotta
yeah but now when I say we they know
what I mean I'm not saying like I live
in this neighborhood none but I'm a thug
and they thought they can relate to I
mean about to say that you know I'm
saying when I come I'd like to say I'm
real they already know hey you know I'm
saying from for me for me being me
from not pushing the darkness but I know
from the business that everybody in this
business is always whisper in your ear
about what you can't say well you can't
do what you can't we're in this world
and then this works two words
why were the black world all I did was
stand in the middle you know I'm saying
it say I'm living in these but I'm
living in both worlds I can go to the
streets and survive and I can go out
here and do my business out here
I'm play devil's advocate again critics
say yeah but you being pimped you being
pimped by the record record executives
who will allow you to do your thug life
because it betrays a certain black I
mean you've heard it yeah that if you
were just a singer you wouldn't have the
same record contracts you have but
because you portrayed the thug life the
gangster rap they've allowed you to make
that money they've allowed you to push
and make
platon I beg to differ yes said I'm
getting pinched that's true but just
like how about our woman would be you
know I'm saying anybody to be pimps you
know it's like it's not that you get
pimps it's how long you get pants you
know saying because if you really look
at this situation it is not I who's
being pimps when you look at the white
kids we write a sad song it's the white
folks getting pimps you know I'm saying
cuz I'm making their future I'm writing
down their curriculum right now what I
write in my I'll be too gay when it
comes out in two months that's what
white kids is doing so who really is
getting pimps I'll be I'll be out when
I'm writing my raps is what the white
kids is gonna be saying today mommies
and daddies when they come home
he is getting pimps you know I'm saying
I'm a high school dropout you know I'm
saying far as my teacher told me when I
was in high school I had to be you know
I'm saying
I just gotta move it's going down the
other said is going down you know
everybody's getting pimped whether you
working on the five or whether you work
for yourself you getting pimped by
somebody that's not that that's not the
clock the crime is how long you allow
yourself to get ten you have to come up
everything has to come up everything is
a struggle you start from the bottom
working to the top
the press in the media makes you think
that a black man arming himself is
illegal o criminal or that he wants to
arm itself to rob a liquor store some
you know I'm saying that is for me to
defend myself and it should always be
it's just about surviving you know and
we have to be honest about the tools
that we use to survive and why is a
black life any any more recoupable in a
white life you know I'm saying we know
that they don't put the same security
and then get over that they do and
whites and and the white neighborhoods
so therefore for me to be out here
saying don't you know put your guns down
and no violence I said we're critical
and if I didn't talk about the violence
everybody would act like the violence
wasn't there
we as rappers brought that violence we
bought the violence that we've seen on
the street we put in our records put in
our records for years and after three
four years people finally starting to
see it because all the statistics that's
going on in the streets if we stop
talking about it then they wouldn't take
statistics and when they stop taking
statistics then we'd be killing each
other in the stream these white people
wouldn't care no more only people they
only reason they cares cuz you know
that's been some strays and we just
slipped over in the white neighborhoods
and it's kids in Iowa they want to be
like us you know I'm saying it's kids
and in Indiana that's trying to be like
us cuz they can relate to you know I'm
saying you even admitted I don't live in
that neighborhood anymore there's no
real reason for you to carry a nine
millimeter don't believe that why and in
two years I've had a gun pulled on me by
my limo driver by police by everybody
you know I'm saying and I better be
I better be you know I'm saying I've
been attacked you ain't read the papers
about these skinheads trying to blow up
black churches Wow
they see me as the enemy just like y'all
do you know I'm saying they can come to
my house and sit outside my house just
like anybody else can ask in it and once
my life was gone is gone can't nobody
give it back to me not the judge not the
president not the governor not Calvin
but not Jesse Jackson they came to
number come to my funeral and talk
pretty about how black people suffer you
understand and as far as Jesse Jackson
my first acting job was at the Apollo
Theater when Jesse Jackson was running
for president in 1984
it hurts me for him to say anything
negative about any rapper because we
supported him
should support us you know I'm saying as
far as his image you know I'm saying
what was he what was he doing you know
he should be the last person talking
about gun violence when he sat right
there while Martin Luther King caught
one in the neck you know I'm saying
things they really changed that much I
swear to God nothing I ever say he's
meant to be something where innocent
people get hurt nothing I ever say it's
meant to be like a endure let's go do it
right now
nothing everything I ever say and if any
this is a we could set it clear anything
I ever say as it pertains to my peers
and and and being strapped it's only in
self-defense you know I'm saying because
my right now where I'm at the world is
harsh and I just don't got no beautiful
stories you know say I'm gonna just be
getting them ready cuz that's why I
think I messed up if somebody would have
grabbed me pulled me to the side and
been like look surprised as soon as you
step out here they're gonna be actually
assume I would explained it to me I
wouldn't it took the same mistakes but I
made those mistakes and now it's my job
to stop somebody else from making those
same mistakes to lay it out to lay out
the real map on the world and how would
it everything I'm saying is a warning is
a plea for hell if everybody was so I
didn't worried about me why ain't nobody
can't help me you know I'm saying I
never wanted to be no star to say my job
care for everybody don't cheer for me
you know I'm saying if you're not
cheering for me for what I'm doing
though cheer for me don't cheer cuz you
think I'm cute you know I'm saying screw
that cheered for me for what I'm doing
for what I stand for and when I go to
jail you should cheer louder you know
I'm saying cuz I'm standing up for what
I do I'm not robbing nobody not stealing
from nobody I never took nothing
everything I do I do to represent my
people I do because I think this is what
they want me to do
we killing each other because we killing
ourselves we're not when a man when
another man I know I've been in the
position it don't it's out of our
control
it's not like he wants to kill he just
doesn't want to die you know I'm saying
it's that it's that situation you got we
are living in the war zone it's not as
easy as these people are making a stink
that he just got some criminal ass black
kids with guns it is not like that we
live in hell we live in the gutter
we got a stacked up 80 deep in one
building you know by the time you get
out your house you strapped but to
protect yourself because you're living
in the same community that the police is
carrying rifles and riot gear saying
they need them right right excuse my
language I'm so sorry the same reasons
they need the right hat the right jacket
the flak jacket the double vests the
nine-millimeter Glocks with extra
bullets the teargas the mace all who do
you think the police is using that
against dogs so we fighting the same
villains that they fight in the street
but instead of them seeing us Martin
bill is in the street we all billets is
your generation the one that is picking
up for where the Panthers left off
saying all right enough is enough the
generation before us forgot about the
fight we're picking it back up
not only forgot about the fight forgot
about us yes and we're picking it back
up but at this level all we're trying to
do is unite and right now as a year we
got a million people that's listening
now we can tell them something
now we could try to get them that where
we might lose them we might gain
something but we would never even add
that audience had we not said what was
real you know I'm saying and the main
thing for us to remember is that the
same crime element that white people are
scared of black people are scared of the
same crime element that white people
fear we fear so we defend ourselves from
the same crime element that they scared
of you know I'm saying why they waiting
for the legislation in the past and
everything we next door to the killer
we next door to him you know cuz we up
in the projects with 80 in the building
all them killers that they letting out
they right there in that building but
it's better good cuz we black we get
along with the killers or something we
get along with the rapists cuz we black
and we from the same what is that we
need protection to finally I want to ask
you about something that someone else
asked you in the interview and I
the answer was interesting because I
think it speaks to you and your
generation a lot someone said what do
you see to pop ten years from now you
said hey I just want to be alive that's
real for you that's so real I can't I
made a metamorphosis I'm a new person
today because I used to strongly and
honestly honestly I feel like I could
represent my generation so much because
I honestly did not care whether I lived
or died but now I cannot die or people
thinking I'm a rapist or criminal
I can't leave straight you know I'm not
suicidal
I'm not can't go let's see y'all really
know what time it is and then after that
boom it's all over and we could see her
you know fall but that's how it is and
reason being is because if I can't live
free if I can't live with the same
respect as the next man I don't want to
be here because God has cursed me to see
what life should be like if God wanted
me to be this person and be happy here
he wouldn't let me feel so oppressed he
wouldn't let me feel so trampled on you
know I'm saying he wouldn't let me think
the things I think so I feel like I'm
doing God's work you know I'm saying
just because I don't have nothing to
pass around for people to put money in
the bucket don't mean I ain't doing
God's work I feel like I'm doing God's
work you know I'm saying because these
ghetto kids ain't God's children and I
don't see no missionaries coming through
there you know I'm saying so I'm doing
God's work well Reverend Jackson do hit
up in the middle class and he go to the
White House and have dinner and pray
over the president I'm up in the hood
you know I'm saying doing my work with
my folks and just cuz I don't live there
I mean I don't go here I got to go there
cuz I can't
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