Art, Culture, and the Classroom: Drawing Inspiration from Kendrick Lamar's Squabble Up
Teaching Through Culture: Lessons from Kendrick Lamar's Squabble Up
Kendrick Lamar’s Squabble Up is more than a music video—it’s a cultural time capsule and a celebration of LA’s vibrant history. From lowriders to Soul Train mornings, it honors Black and Chicano traditions while sparking deep nostalgia. Watching it inspired me to bring that same spirit into my classroom, creating lessons that help students explore and celebrate their own cultural roots. By designing posters that reflect their identities and generational influences, students can see how their stories, like Kendrick’s, are worth preserving and sharing through art.
Kendrick Lamar’s "Man at the Garden” and the Power of Deserving Success
Kendrick Lamar’s GNX isn’t just an album—it’s a wake-up call. In Man at the Garden, he breaks unspoken rules, openly declaring his worth and right to success. At first, it felt jarring to hear someone like Kendrick, who comes from the same struggles as many of us, say, I deserve this. But the more I listened, the more I realized how much I needed to hear it.
For those of us who’ve grown up in scarcity, success often comes with guilt. We feel the weight of those who didn’t make it, the fear of losing what little we’ve gained, and the hesitation to believe we’re worthy of more. But Kendrick’s words challenge that. He reminds us that surviving isn’t enough—we deserve to thrive.
This track freed me from the guilt I’ve carried for years, allowing me to say, Yes, I deserve to dream big, to enjoy my hard work, and to pass that confidence to my son. Kendrick’s evolution as an artist is a mirror for our own journeys, and this song is a powerful reminder that it’s okay to value yourself unapologetically.