Benue State University, Makurdi

Explicating Gender Issues In Tupac Shakur's Poetry

Maasuur Demian Deakaa & Napoleon Akongwale

Abstract

Over the years, gender differences and social margins have led to the outcry of the female folks against their male folks and the society generally seeking for what is best for women. Concerned men too have joined in this crusade in order to enlighten mischief makers who recourse to nature or tradition to dampen the interest of women in the society. In this work, an analysis of Tupac's “Changes” and “Dear Mama” is carried out with the aim to drawing out the rapper's tackling of gender issues through his music as he is able to draw out those misgivings about women and also enlighten the people of the need for gender equality and equity. The work uses Queer theory which is a strand of Feminism that denotes or relates to gender identities which do not correspond to established ideas of sexuality and gender especially heterosexual norms as its theoretical framework to base its analysis. This is suitable for this analysis of these selected songs because they are a call for a change; a deviation from the status quo. Through this analysis, it is discovered that gender inequalities existed from time immemorial and have continued till date and anytime the society tries to fight back hence the murder of the Shakur. It is recommended that all hands must be on deck to fight this menace as it has continued to resurface in different ways.

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