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by The People’s Minister of Information JR
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Fifty years ago, Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale created a Black organization in Oakland, California, that fought for the community valiantly against the ills of capitalism and white supremacy. Afeni Shakur, a former political prisoner who courageously represented herself in court, was a leader in the New York branch of this organization.
She would later have two children, Pac and Set. Tupac became one of the biggest selling rap stars of all time and was also a renowned poet and extremely talented actor, but most of all he was a member of the Black community who saw himself as a soldier and young general fit to fight the power with songs like “Trapped,” “Dear Mama,” “Young Niggaz,” and “16 on Deathrow.” An unidentified assassin shot Pac a number of times on Sept. 7, ‘96, eventually killing his body on Sept, 13, 1996, and sending him into immortality here on this planet.
On Saturday, June 18, 3-7 p.m., at the New Parish Courtyard, 1741 San Pablo, Oakland, his longtime teammates and comrades Money B and Dj Fuze of Digital Underground will be handling the hosting and music for the 20th Anniversary of Life Party for Tupac. We will also officially remember Afeni Shakur, who passed away on April 21, ’16, from a cardiac arrest, with a short opening ceremony led by Sista Iminah.
We plan to party the day away, with Tupac music and music from the era at this event that is sure to be epic. You could get tickets in advance – because it will sell out – from the New Parish website, http://thenewparish.com/event.cfm?id=239469&cart.
The People’s Minister of Information JR Valrey is associate editor of the Bay View, author of “Block Reportin’” and “Unfinished Business: Block Reportin’ 2” and filmmaker of “Operation Small Axe” and “Block Reportin’ 101,” available, along with many more interviews, at www.blockreportradio.com. He can be reached at blockreportradio@gmail.com.
