Connections

Oprah Winfrey Biography: Life and Career Link

Oprah Winfrey’s high grossing show Oprah has aired in more than 140 countries in the entire world.  Tupac Amaru Shakur has sold over 80 million albums as of 2012.  It is very hard to believe that both of these public figures came from not only poor, but also dangerous backgrounds.   Several connections can be made between The Rose that Grew from Concrete and Oprah Winfrey Biography: Life and Career with both the video’s literal and figurative meanings.

            Tupac’s book and Oprah’s video-biography are related literally because both of the superstars started from small beginnings and then went big.  As explained in the video, Oprah was raised by her poor grandmother on a farm and later moved frequently to keep up with her mother’s repeatedly changing jobs.  This is akin to how Tupac was raised by his Black Panther mother in Harlem who also moved often.  Oprah ended up being molested twice at a young age due to her mother never being home, similar to how Tupac was caught up in gang activity due to his mother not always being able to watch over him.  However, Oprah and Tupac never gave up on their dreams of becoming successful.  Oprah became a news reporter and then received a television show, similar to how Tupac began his career as a roadie and backup singer, but later became known to the public through his musical talent learned from his previous jobs.

            Oprah’s video is similar to the book in a figurative way because both Tupac and Oprah’s lives can be perceived as metaphors.  Both of these celebrities’ lives represent the steps that can be taken in order to overcome a deprived childhood.  For instance, the states that much of Oprah’s childhood was spent in poverty, just like Tupac Shakur.  Nevertheless, these two upcoming legends slowly worked their way up to success.  The video states that Oprah became more and more famous as a news reporter and soon earned a show because of her outstanding work in the news department.  This is just like how Tupac was at first a hype man for unheard-of rap groups, but climbed his way into stardom to become a celebrity.  Oprah’s video and Tupac’s book both show that by putting the work in and being patient, one can overcome any obstacles in their paths.