Faces of America

“Faces of America” is about famous musicians, writers, singers, doctors, figure skaters and other influential famous people finding out about their history and past. The show focuses on two prominent questions: What made America and what makes us? After much research is done by going through old papers and matching DNA’s, participants are then given a “Book of Life” detailing their family history. I thought this was a very unique way and almost shocking to know and understand where some of these individuals come from and to understand how they got to where they are now, or what has shaped them and their lives. Growing up biracial and living only with my mother and step father who are white, I was never educated about my African-American History. I can recall times when I was asked to draw a family tree in elementary school and feeling an absent feeling for not being able to connect with my other background. Since my biological father was absent, there was no one I could receive information from about it. Though I was curious, it was frustrating to be placed in the position of feeling less connected to something and someone I knew I was a part of. We all desire a connection to the past and our history. As I have grown into an adult, I have learned that while it is essential to know where you come from (for medical and personal reasons), what is more important is knowing who you are today. Family history in my opinion, has not defined me as a biracial woman, but has shaped my beliefs and views of the world around me. For example, I hold a strong connection with not only my mother’s family but my step-fathers (or dad’s) family. Though medical reasons and one’s personal views about my lack of knowledge of my other ethnic side may defer from my own, in the end my opinion is what matters most.

The Son of a Panther

“The Son of a Panther” discussed the post-revolutionary childhood of Tupac Shakur, an American rapper. Prior to reading the article, I knew very little of Tupac and only about the friendship/rival of his opponent Biggie Smalls (the Notorious B.I.G.). Born to a Black Panther and a culture that represented strong Black Nationalism, his mother encouraged and taught him about the struggles and ideals of the Black American. Though he appreciated what the organization and its people stood for, he often had conflicting values of trying to pursue more of a “thug life,” while remaining strong to his values of the organization. Striving to use education as a tool “of self-defense and as a safeguard against bigotry,” Tupac believed in less violence but rather more knowledge. As he became more famous, his views became more conflicting as well as his actions. Though he spoke on one value (respect for women), he often acted in another or opposite (i.e. being convicted for raping a woman). Personally, I don’t feel that he was a troublemaker, but nor a revolutionary person (just from this article that is). I believe that at times he was a hypocrite and did not remain true to his self. Regardless of his views and negative actions, I do think that he became a role model for many young African men because he represented his culture (the Black Panthers) in a way that other rappers couldn’t. He was able to connect with people who grew up poor and in the “thug life.” However, due to his conflicting values, his incarceration, and his death (murder), Tupac has often been remembered for his negative actions.

Listening Party Song- Where is the Love- Blackeyed Peas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZVxjH04aIY

What's wrong with the world mama?
People living like aint got no mamas
I think the whole worlds addicted to the drama
Only attracted to the things that bring you trauma
Overseas yeah we tryin to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin
In the USA the big CIA the Bloodz and the Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And if you hatin you're bound to get irate
Yeah madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
You gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love y'all

People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?(where is the lovex3)(the love2x)

It just ain't the same all ways have changed
New days are strange is the world the insane?
If love and peace so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations dropping bombs
Chemical gases filling lungs of little ones
With ongoing suffering
As the youth die young
So ask yourself is the loving really strong?
So I can ask myself really what is going wrong
With this world that we living in
People keep on giving in
Makin wrong decisions
Only visions of them livin and
Not respecting each other
Deny thy brother
The wars' going on but the reasons' undercover
The truth is kept secret
Swept under the rug
If you never know truth
Then you never know love
Where's the love y'all?(I don't know)
Where's the truth y'all?(I don't know)
Where's the love y'all?

People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father father father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?(where is the lovex3)(the lovex2)

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm getting older y'all people get colder
Most of us only care about money makin
Selfishness got us followin the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting their young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what the see in the cinema
Whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness and equality
Instead of spreading love, we're spreading anomosity
Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feeling under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feeling down
It's no wonder why sometimes I'm feeling under
I gotta keep my faith alive, until love is found

People killing people dying
Children hurtin you hear them crying
Can you practice what you preach
Would you turn the other cheek?
Father Father Father help us
Send some guidance from above
Cause people got me got me questioning
Where is the love?(fade)



I chose this song because for me it represents community activism and leadership. It identifies with what is going on currently in the world today and how we are not showing love for ALL mankind. It encourages one to change their behavior and not only learn, but "practice what you preach." This song also inspires each of us to consider what happened to all our common values of humanity, fairness and equality. Though we have progressed a lot from earlier times in regards to civil rights, there are still many issues and problems that are we still tackling (i.e. gay marriage = equality?)