Words Of Wisdom
2Pac Lyrics

Killing us one by one
The systematic elimination of black youth in ghettos is occurring, one person at a time.

In one way or another
The elimination process is happening in various ways.

American will find a way to eliminate the problem
The American system will find a way to eliminate the problem of black youth in ghettos.

One by one
Each individual is being eliminated.

The problem is
The problem is the plight of black youth in ghettos.

The troubles in the black youth of the ghettos
The issues faced by black youth living in ghettos.

And one by one
As previously stated, each person is being eliminated.

We are being wiped off the face of this earth
Black youth are being systematically eliminated.

At an extremely alarming rate
The speed and number of these eliminations are disturbing.

And even more alarming is the fact
What's even more disturbing is that black youth are not fighting back.

That we are not fighting back
Black youth aren't resisting the elimination process.

Brothers, sistas, niggas
Addressing other black people. Using the n-word as a term of respect for those who strive to achieve their goals.

When I say niggas it is not the nigga we are grown to fear
He's using the n-word in a positive manner, not in a derogatory sense.

It is not the nigga we say as if it has no meaning
Using the n-word in a nihilistic way has no purpose.

But to me
He's explaining his personal definition of the n-word.

It means Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished, nigga
He's giving a positive interpretation of the n-word acronym N.I.G.G.A.

Niggas what are we going to do
Asking black people to think and act.

Walk blind into a line or fight
Should black people blindly follow oppressors or resist?

Fight and die if we must like niggas
Black people should be willing to fight for their freedom and die if necessary, like true warriors.

This is for the masses the lower classes
He's speaking for the masses of black people who are oppressed and marginalized.

The ones you left out, jobs were givin', better livin'
Referring to the lack of opportunities provided to black people.

But we were kept out
Despite the availability of opportunities, black people were barred from them.

Made to feel inferior, but we're the superior
Despite being oppressed, black people are inherently superior.

Break the chains in out brains that made us fear yeah
Black people should break free from mental bondage that makes them fearful and unable to resist.

Pledge allegiance to a flag that neglects us
Black people should not blindly pledge allegiance to a flag that ignores and mistreats them.

Honor a man that who refuses to respect us
The American system and its leaders do not respect black people.

Emancipation, proclamation, Please!
The Emancipation Proclamation was a hollow gesture.

Nigga just said that to save the nation
The government used the Emancipation Proclamation as a political strategy, not because they genuinely cared about black people.

These are lies that we all accepted
Society has internalized these lies and formed false beliefs.

Say no to drugs but the governments' keep it
The government claims to fight against drugs, yet they enable and profit from it.

Running through our community, killing the unity
Drugs destroy neighborhoods and prevent unity.

The war on drugs is a war on you and me
The war on drugs is actually a war against black people.

And yet they say this is the Home of The Free
The American dream of freedom only applies to certain people.

But if you ask me its all about hypocrisy
The American system is hypocritical in its treatment of black people.

The constitution, Yo, it don't apply to me
Despite the constitution's supposed protection of citizens' rights, it doesn't apply to black people.

Lady Liberty still the bitch lied to me
The promise of freedom and equality has never been realized for black people. Lady Liberty (the statue of freedom) symbolizes this false promise.

Steady strong nobody's gonna like what I pumpin'
He will continue to speak the truth despite opposition.

But its wrong to keeping someone from learning something
Preventing someone from learning is immoral.

So get up, its time to start nation building
Black people need to unite and build a strong community.

I'm fed up, we gotta start teaching children
He's tired of the oppression and wants to start educating the next generation.

That they can be all that they want to be
Children should be taught to aspire to their fullest potential.

There's much more to life than just poverty
The negative circumstances present in many black communities do not encompass the entirety of life.

This is defiantly ah words of wisdom
These are wise and important words.

I charge you with the crime of rape, murder, and assault
He's making a metaphorical charge against the American system for its crimes against black people.

For suppressing and punishing my people
The American system has systematically suppressed and punished black people.

I charge you with robbery for robbing me of my history
Black people have been robbed of their history and cultural identity.

I charge you with false imprisonment for keeping me trapped in the projects
The system has falsely imprisoned black people in impoverished communities.

And the jury finds you guilty on all accounts
He believes that the American system is guilty of all these charges.

And you are to serve the consequences of your evil schemes
The system must suffer the consequences of its oppression.

Prosecutor do you have any more evidence
Challenging the prosecutor to disprove these charges.

They shine upon the strength of an nation
The strength of a nation is rooted in its education.

Conquer the enemy on with education
Education is the ultimate weapon against oppression.

Protect thy self, reach with what you want to do
Black people should protect themselves and strive towards their aspirations.

Know thy self, teach what we been through
Black people should understand and teach their own history and experiences.

On with the knowledge of the place, then
With this knowledge, black people can move forward and gain power.

No one will ever oppress this race again
With education and unity, black people can prevent future oppression.

No Malcolm X in my history text
The American education system often excludes important black figures.

Why is that?
Questioning why important black figures are excluded from history books.

Cause he tried to educate and liberate all blacks
Malcolm X's teaching and activism threatened the American system.

Why is Martin Luther King in my book each week?
Questioning why Martin Luther King Jr. is included in history books.

He told blacks, if they get smacked, turn the other cheek
MLK Jr.'s teachings of non-violence are often emphasized by the American system over more radical figures like Malcolm X.

I don't get it, so many questions went through my mind
He's confused and skeptical of the American education system.

I get sweated, They act as if asking questions is a crime
He fears the consequences of speaking out against the system.

But forget it, one day I'm gonna prove them wrong
He's determined to challenge the system and prove his worth.

Now every brother had to smother on the welfare line
Many black people are trapped in poverty and must rely on welfare.

The American dream, though it seems it attainable
The American dream of success and upward mobility is not easily attainable.

They're pulling your slave, don't believe
The American system is still oppressing black people today.

Cause it will strangle yeah
The system is harmful and suffocating to black people.

Pulling the life of your brain, I can't explain
The system is draining and demoralizing.

Beg as you can obtain from which you came
No matter how successful a black person becomes, they can never fully escape their roots or their oppression.

Swear that your mother is living in equality
International justice for black people will be achieved.

Forgetting your brother that's living her apology
Black people are often pitted against each other by the system.

Thought they had us beat when they took our kids
Black children are often taken away from their parents and placed in the foster care system.

But the battle ain't over till the black man sings
The struggle for black liberation continues.