Gangsta's Paradise: Understanding The Ghetto In African Americans

[PrezLeefun]

I was not sure where to put this, but is political/social so I dropped it here. Move it if it is not the right spot.

I was thinking about the "Freedom of Speech. N!" thread and all the things that were said there. Now this song does not deal with that word itself, but maybe it will get you inside the mind of an "educated fool" (you'll see).
I thought this song might help to understand the mentality behind some things in the African American Community. Hopefully it helps to demystify anything you have been wondering about. If you have futher questions of course I'll answer. I used this song because by gangsta rap standards, it is clean.


<CENTER>As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I take a look at my life and realize there's nothing left
Cause I've been blastin and laughing so long that
Even my mama thinks that my mind is gone


But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it
Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of
You better watch how you talking, and where you walking
Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk


I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc
As they croak I see myself in the pistol smoke, fool
I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like
On my knees in the night
Sayin' prayers in the street light


They been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
They been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
They been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise

We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paraside
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paraside
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paraside


Look at the situation, they got me facin
I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the streets
So I gotta be down with the hood team
Too much television watchin' got me chasin dreams


I'm a educated fool wit money on my mind
Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye
I'm a loc'ed out gangsta, set-trippin banger
And my homies is down, so don't arouse my anger, fool


Death ain't nuthin but a heart beat away
I'm livin life do-or-die ah, what can I say?
I'm twenty-three now, but will I live to see twenty-fo'?
The way things is goin I dunno


Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me

They been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
They been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
They been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise


We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise


Power and the money, money and the power
Minute after minute, hour after hour
Everybody's runnin, but half of them ain't lookin
It's goin on in the kitchen, but I dont know what's cookin


They say I got ta learn, but nobody's here to teach me
If they cant understand it, how can they reach me?
I guess they can't -- I guess they won't
I guess they frontin; that's why I know my life is outta luck, fool


They been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
They been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
They been spending most their lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise

We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise
We keep spending most our lives
Living in the Gangsta's Paradise

Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me
Tell me why are we -- so blind to see
That the ones we hurt -- are you and me</CENTER>

[Wolfcounsel]

He's a poet an' don't he know it!

[Riverboat]

I think that poem is in my copy of American Shiterature.