Tupac Shakur’s poetry was included in the Worcester
public school systems summer reading list this year, to the chagrin of some members
of the school district.
"The Rose That Grew From Concrete,"
a collection of introspective poetry the rapper penned between 1989 and 1991
before he was famous, was recommended along side Jewel’s book "A Night
Without Armor."
Despite Tupac’s cult-like following among young
people, the decision to include his youthful poetry raised eyebrows and will
undergo a literary review by the school district’s English department at the
request of the School Committee.
"It’s not a book I would have put on there
. . . but those who make the list are trying to appeal to a wide variety of
kids,” school committee member Mary Mullaney told the Boston Herald. "I
wonder sometimes if we’re putting the Good Housekeeping seal of approval on
Tupac if we put this on the list.”
The book includes forewords by Tupac’s mother,
Afeni Shakur as well as world renowned poet, Nikki Giovanni.
Tupac Shakur is the best-selling rap artist in
history and has sold more records than such cultural icons as Prince, Ozzy Osbourne,
Britney Spears, The Doors and Frank Sinatra.
