I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to watch Allen Hughes‘s documentary, “Dear Mama.” I won’t lie … it aired on 4.21.2023 and I felt like it was going to be a hard truth to swallow so I took my own time to watch it. Afeni Shakur is a legend in her own right.
“Why?” you may ask. Here’s why:
- Torey revered Pac – intensely. Watching and listening to him spit out Pac’s lyrics was a treat… and he understood Pac’s intentions without even knowing him personally from an early age (the 90s)… I didn’t know many people that were on Pac’s perspective at the time and he made it easy to relate.
- Because of this endearment I grew to know and love Pac myself – it became personal. Pac’s life was inspiring – so much so that there was a time after Pac’s passing and before Das was born where T-Mitch pursued an arena in civil rights. We dabbled with a non-profit idea called “Voice in the Crowd. It was a whole plan that never became a reality.
- The documentary aligned the mother-son-bond so much more than any other documentary I had ever watched of Tupac. It was absolutely moving, and Hughes was selfless despite the issues Pac had with him back in the day. It was beautiful actually.
- Listening and watching the people truly close to Pac and Afeni was a treasure. The first hand accounts of listening to Afeni’s life by her sister, Gloria Cox, especially hit a nerve – a sibling’s love.
- It was yet another eye-opener of how much your up-bringing comes into play. The intro to the first episode really lays out the whole series: Pac’s reasons, Afeni’s motherhood and music.
- It made me reflect on the moment in time when “Brenda’s Got a Baby” came out and I tried to get my own Mother to listen to it. She was never accustomed to listening to rap music so it wasn’t comprehensible to her – but no knock on her for that! She just wasn’t used to it, but it was hilarious!
- “Anu, how can you expect me to follow the lyrics!?” (This came from a woman who was a 41 year old Asian-Indian immigrant woman at the time!). I gave it another go with my Mom for “Dear Mama” but … yeah, no go.
I could probably go on but I won’t. It took me a good two months to finish the five-part series… and yes, tears were shed and it was worthwhile. Only because it made me understand so much more about Afeni and Tupac – it was so much more than just love: respect, understanding, consoling, advising, worrying, learning, growing and ultimately keeping an amazing legacy GOING!
Pac’s birthday is on 06.16 while Torey’s is on 06.18 (which happens to be Father’s day this year). Honorable mentions are also Aunty La Voz, Coach P.G., LuQ, Kort – the Gemini nation is strong in my realm (among so many more I know!).
The show / series inspired me to work on an art piece. One of which I will give you a glimpse (on social media), but will post here once it’s finished.
Yes, Das and I poured out a lil liquor for Tupac – always for the real ones! Happy Birthday, Tupac!
Belligerent Gus 
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