“Penitentiaries is packed with promise makers, never realized the precious time these b***h n****s is wasting.” Even the vast majority of the Gen Z population has a familiarity with the legendary rapper/political activist Tupac Shakur, also known as 2Pac (and this is even after his death, which some millennials doubt due to what is known as the 7 Day Theory*).
Tupac’s words still capture the minds of many. Did Tupac have it right? Or can we argue that valuable time is also wasted within the general society? Let’s examine this closer.
Spare time is identified as time free from responsibilities, or daily duties. When you take a closer look, some may argue the non-existence of such time. How many of us college students procrastinate on doing homework, or studying for that calculus quiz instead of reading this? We are all guilty of this in some aspect of our life.
My fellow YellowJackets, time is of the essence. What you do or do not do will impact your future. Time is the real currency, not money. Understand that what you spend your time on, you more than likely will spend your money on.
Before you object, I know many gamers are reading this before they join an online game of NBA 2K or Call Of Duty Black Ops 6.
Look for the moments in the day you are most exhausted, most mentally challenged. Maybe it’s after a long day of school and work. How about that strenuous workout at the gym that exaggerates the weight of your textbook. This time for many can be late afternoon, or early evening. For some it’s the moment your rump meets the couch or bed – that would be me. During these moments I revert to the various sticky notes I strategically placed around my living quarters. One reads, “ You can’t slow down, that’s too close to stopping,” another questions, “ Are you procrastinating?” These two notes are found posted on my refrigerator, places I frequent the most to remind me I have a task to finish. Utilize your time to accomplish one or two things from your to-do list, Finish that homework assignment early. Tasks can range from minute to large, time consuming to quick. There should be an immediate sense of gratitude that you can bask in.
Tupac was no stranger to legal woes, his lyrics penetrated far beyond the incarcerated walls. Tupac served 8 months in Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York. Tupac understood that every hour that you waste is not an hour gained but an hour lost. Your future does not wait upon you like a finish line at a marathon. You are creating the obstacle course, the terrain, weather, and endurance. There may be no one at the finish line to greet you and take pictures. You may be alone, tired, sick, and in pain. However, your achievements start now, and what you do with your time now will determine how much time you have later.
Being formerly incarcerated, I’ve watched many men and youth waste their time playing spades and slapping dominos on the table. I’ve seen many sit in front of the TV all hours of the day looking for the latest celebrity gossip. As of lately, Diddy has stolen so much of our attention you can no longer look at baby oil as an aid for infants and toddlers. Tik-Tok and other social media platforms have commandeered a great deal of our time.
Personally, I worked out my mind reading and self educating. I did not waste my sentence staying mentally stagnant while the world passed me by. I had to prove to the world that I was not another felon.
Yellowjackets, take back control of your attention span, or we may have to determine that Tupac is wrong and debate whether or not we should ask ourselves if the general population of society are the promise makers and time wasters.
*Tupac Shakur was pronounced dead September 13th 1996, 7 days after being shot on September 7th 1996. He was pronounced dead at 4:03, which equates to 7; 4+0+3. He died at age 25; 2+5=7. Tupac’s 5th and final album, titled “ The Don Killuminati: 7 Day Theory.” In multiple videos, signs point to the 7 day theory. In “ R U Still Down,” Tupac goes into a hotel room numbered 7. There’s a scene in a diner that shows a clock that reads 4:03. These are just a few speculations about The 7 Day Theory.
by Nuquii Watkins