Tupac Shakur-Wake Me When I'm Free Exhibition

In this episode, Black History educator Brittany Wilkins discusses the legacy of the acclaimed
hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur. She shares her experiences in visiting the Wake Me When I'm Free museum exhibit in Los Angeles, California. 

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Transcript

I’m not saying I’m going to rule the world or I’m going to change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world ~Tupac Shakur

You are tuned into Episode 19 of The Coin: Back History on the Other Side. On this day June 16, 1971 Tupac Shakur was born.  Recently visiting Los Angeles, California I had the opportunity to explore history in learning about the life and legacy of the acclaimed artist and activist. 

On today’s show I want to share about my experiences visiting the Wake Me When I’m Free exhibit. The exhibit was created in collaboration with the Shakur estate. Exhibit is a contemporary art museum that gives visitors an insight into Tupac’s archives and artists preserved by his estate.

I was standing outside of the JW Marriot LA live in downtown LA people watching. Looking down the street I noticed a young man standing on the corner behind a table. Curious as to what he was selling I walked over. Layed out on the table he had Tupac and Nipsey Hussle apparel. A fan of both artists, I decided to support the young hustles in buying a couple shirts. As I continued to look through his inventory we began to talk more about Tupac. He had asked me if I visited the Tupac museum. 

Right across the street from where we were standing was a building housing the exhibit. At first glance you would never think any of it. It made sense as I saw Tupac posters around downtown LA and murals. I now understood why the young man was standing on the corner hustling Tupac and Nipsey shirts. 

In exploring history, I like to do my research prior to visiting museums. Living in the moment decided to explore the museum with an open mind. To my amazement the exhibit showcases a tremendous display of black excellence and black history. Unlike any other hip hop museum I explored, this venue was not about the thug life persona of Tupac portrayed in the media. It was not overshadowed by his beef with Christopher Wallace also known as biggie smalls.

It was bigger than hip-hip based on the foundation of what Tupac one of the most influential writers and artists. It was the foundation his mother instilled within him of becoming a man of intellect by feeding his mind with books.  As quoted by Afeni Shakur “ In my home, A book, any book, is a sacred item. A book is more important than a light bulb. A book is more important than a sofa.  A book must be preserved that is the home Tupac lived in.” 

I was enlightened by the fact the museum not solely focused on the achievement and accomplishments of Tupac, but it rough to light Afeni Shakurs activism and involvement with the Black panther party.

Exiting the opening gallery I entered through what I considered to be the black power gallery, with a black power fist positioned in the center with walls with black panther party literature showing many pictures of Jamal Joseph, Huey Newton, and others. What drew me in was one of the exhibition walls was a letter composed by Afeni Shakur entitled WE WILL WIN written in January of 1970.

The political activist involvement n the black panther party led her to being arrest along with others members on the suspicious of conspiracy to kill police offers and bomb police stations.

Imprisoned physically, but liberated mentality Afeni writes

We know that you are trying to break us up because we are the truth and because you cant control us. We know that you will always try to destroy what you cant control, we know that you are afraid of us because we represent a truth of the universe. We are not being tried for any overt act-nor attempt to commit any overt act-we are being tried for brining within the minds the focusing of the ideas of centuries and trying to bring this knowledge into a workable plan to liberate our people from oppression. 

In sharing a snippet of this letter, never before I had I see any works from Mrs. Shakur until visiting the museum. From Tupac poetry, music lyrics, screenplays it became very evident to me walking through the exhibit how his mother planted the seeds of wisdom. 

It’s one thing to read someone’s work through a publication or online. It was a completely different atmosphere reading many of Tupac’s poems, lyrics, and screen plays hand written taken from his notebooks that had been archived. 

The writings on the exhibition walls displayed Tupac’s creative genius and crafty knack for methaphors and wordplay. I lost track of time I immersed myself reading his writings. A poem displayed within the poetry exhibition space entitled Where There is A Will Resonated with me.

Where there is a will

There is a way

2 search and discover a better day

Where a positive heart is all you need

2 rise beyond and succeed.

Where young minds grow and respect each based on their deeds and not their color

When times are dim say as I say

Where there is a will

There is a way.

The museum led the way in unveiling the life and times of Tupac. The will to keep his legacy alive many generations after his untimely death. His music being time less for all of us who were born with the burden of blackness.

The African panthers notebooks and binders expressed Tupac’s mission to be revolutionary in continuing to fight for social change and the betterment of his people as his mother did. A student of history liberating his people through his artistry.  Journeying through the museum I could see piece by piece how his legacy was built. As I stood in the museum listening to his music and interviews I began to have flashbacks.

I was standing there thinking when was the moment I first heard a Tupac song. It was at my hair dressers house getting my hair braided. She was playing his song I aint mad at cha.  I was thinking why is she playing this song over and over again.  At the time I was not aware of that Tupac had been shot and killed. As my hair dresser spoke on the phone, I remember her voice sounding sad as she spoke. Back then I didn’t get why her demeanor was so low. It all became full circle for me as I stood in the museum why Tupac was one of her favorite rappers. Beloved by many seen as the Martin and Malcom of the culture. 

Gone to soon, but its museums like these how he continues to live on. As I made my way through the exhibition reding all things he experienced in his life and viewing personal items on display the word legacy was running through my mind. 

The writings, notebooks, music catalog are mor than just artifacts from his archives. These items make up the sum total of his legacy. 

Legacy leaves a paper trail. What legacy are you leaving and how are you leaving it and to whom are you passing your legacy onto.

What we do in life echoes in eternity.