There are clear connections between Noah’s description of life in Alexadra and the lyrics of Tupac’s “Trapped”, as well as similar experiences; both of them depicting what the black community had to go through at the time.
Noah’s lines “Tear gas was just what the police use to shut down parties in black neighborhoods, like the club turning on the lights to tell everyone to go home.” can relate to the lyrics of Tupac’s song:
Can barely walk the city streets Without a cop harassing me, searching me Then asking my identity Hands up, throw me up against the wall Didn't do a thing at all”
Both extracts, demonstrate how the police was acting in their respective areas. The police would do anything to accuse a person of color instead of a white one or would constantly try to invade black people's privacy and prevent them from entertaining themselves. It is noticeable that even though Tupac and Noah lived in completely different places, the police actions were the same declaring that racism was a prime factor in the extend of the police actions.
In both texts, Noah and Tupac, refer to the suffocation they experience and being trapped within their communities, none of them being able to get out. Noah states “A year passed. Then two. I stopped planning for school, and was no closer to money to enroll.” Noah with this quote signifies that he has given up on collecting money for collage which further corresponds in giving up for further and better education which basically declares that he has given up trying to get out of Soweto. Tupac in his song mentions:
“I'd rather die than be trapped in a living hell They got me trapped”
, also demonstrating how he is trapped in his community referring to it as “a living hell”.
Additionally, the happiness of both communities is demonstrated through Tupac’s lyrics
“You know they got me trapped in this prison of seclusion Happiness, living on the streets is a delusion”
and Noah’s lines “As you’re walking, sound washes over you, the steady thrum of human activity, people talking in a dozen different languages, chatting, haggling, arguing. There’s music playing constantly”. As it is commonly known, both Noah and Tupac had experienced discrimination and racism, and did not have the appropriate resources to achieve their dreams and aspirations. However, instead of looking back at all the missed opportunities, they learnt to enjoy life and constantly create new memories.
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