The gay rights movement has been a shadow throughout history, recently coming to light in a growing fight for equality. Gay pride rallies frequent the news, and a recent Supreme Court decision allowing same-sex marriage has shaken the roots of what many consider tradition in America. Only a determined community, one tired of being denied basic rights, could make this stunning change. However, such an achievement was years in the making, lead with chart-topping songs, documentaries, interviews, and best-selling books to broaden horizons. One of the most influential songs was a rap written and performed by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis which includes a chorus sung by Mary Lambert. Macklemore’s accurate incorporation of the struggle for gay rights with powerful lyrics and a moving music …show more content…
video make his hit “Same Love” a gay rights anthem. The accuracy of the depiction of the struggle for gay rights helps to make the video influential. Being a member of or having family in the gay community allowed the writers to have a valuable first-hand experience. Mary Lambert, the singer of the song’s chorus, understands the struggle best because she is a lesbian. She takes her experience and applies it to the song, singing moving lyrics about how she “can’t change” (“Same Love” l. 19). It is a beautiful first-hand take on being in love with someone of the same biological sex. Macklemore on the other hand went through a period of questioning when he was very young due to his relatives and destructive stereotypes (“Same Love” l. 1-6). Both his godfather and uncles are members of the gay community, with his uncles proudly displayed on the cover for the single (“Same Love” l. 2). Despite not having Lambert’s full experience, he understands enough to provide a heart-wrenching statement on the importance of acceptance and tolerance. The song gave Macklemore an opportunity to support his family and Lambert a chance to show that she was born to be who she is. They wanted others to understand what it is like growing up homosexual in a vastly heterosexual, homophobic society. The lyrics of “Same love” accurately reveal the struggles of the gay community.
One of the largest happens to be homophobia in everyday society. Some believe that certain lyrics in his song in relation to this issue are absurd (Mincher par. 3). Despite this, Macklemore remained able to get his point across that homophobia is dangerous. Terms like “faggot” or “dyke” have become words used to belittle homosexuals. Even the term “gay” had become negative, used as an insult rather than a sexual label. In his song, Macklemore states that the term is now “a word rooted in hate, yet our genre still ignores it. Gay is synonymous with the lesser.” (“Same Love” l. 39-40) These words are insufferable enough that they have led some to commit suicide. Macklemore made sure to address the depressing issue, “When kids are walking 'round the hallway plagued by pain in their heart...some would rather die than be who they are.” (“Same Love” l. 69-70) In a country where gay marriage is deemed illegal it is understandable that there is a lack of hope for the younger members of the community. In turn, he offered an optimistic ending to America’s ruling on same-sex marriage by depicting one in the music
video. Macklemore makes a serious statement about same-sex marriage in his music video. He depicted a story about a young man and his journey to acceptance with his boyfriend. The protagonist deals with the hardships about his life as a gay man, such as rejection, harassment, and conflicting feelings (Lewis). These issues are part of the sad but common reality for homosexuals. Even though the protagonist ultimately marries and grows old with his lover, such a reality was impossible in its time. In 2012, less than one-fifth of the United States had legalized same-sex marriage, and a blissful union was only an optimistic dream. This makes “Same Love” not just a symbol of hope, but a political statement as well. Mincher refers to the song as a “call to action” in relation to its influence on legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington and the changing tolerance of American citizens (Mincher par. 3). Thanks to its large view count on YouTube, live performances, and chart-topping billboard positions the call was met and same-sex marriage became legal in Washington. “Same Love” had reached the goal it had hoped for. “Same Love” succeeds in being an anthem for the gay community. The writers present a realistic commentary that can be understood by anyone, no matter their beliefs. The lyrics are sensible and effective, drawing sympathy from what is often ignored. Macklemore offers hope through a video that reinstates what marriage truly is, a union between two people that love each other for who they are.
Music can be traced back into human history to prehistoric eras. To this day archeologists uncover fragments of ancient instruments as well as tablets with carved lyrics buried alongside prominent leaders and highly influential people. This serves as a testament to the importance and power of music, as well as its influence in society. Over its many years of existence, music’s powerful invocation of feelings has allowed it to evolve and serve many purposes, one being inspiring change. American journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson once said, “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel.” This fuel is the very things that powers the influence of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society, that author Glenn C. Altschuler writes about in his book, “All Shook Up – How Rock ‘n’ Roll Changed America.” Between 1945 and 1965 Rock ‘n’ Roll transformed American society and culture by helping to ease racial integration and launch a sexual revolution while most importantly developing an intergenerational identity.
Social psychology is a branch of the spectrum of psychology that primarily focuses on social interactions, environmental influences and the social experiences that weigh heavily on individuals cognitive schemas. The film “Boyz ‘N The Hood” is comprised of many contemporary influential African American actors, heavily influenced by the environment they are in and the violence surrounding them in their community. There are various aspects of the movie that portray social psychological concepts, such as social perception, attitude change, aggression and violence, and group dynamics. Social psychological issues such as proactive aggression, reactive aggression, desensitization, differential association theory, and deviance
Such as, how Tupac used his song “Changes” to refer to the institutionalized racism in America in regards to law enforcement and so forth. On example from his lyrics states, “Cops give a damn about a negro/ Pull the trigger, kill a nigga, he's a hero.” Another commonly known song that makes ties with Hill’s is Kanye’s song “When It All Falls Down.” Kanye wanted the ties of her lyrics incorporated into his song so much that after his failed attempted to get Lauryn Hills sample cleared he got a replacement singer to perform it on his song alternatively. However, his concept for this song was different as its purpose was more of a self-contemplation of his individualized battle with consumerism. Today society is affected by artists like Lauryn Hill and her lyrics and often quote lyrics like that of hers as references for equality and moral rights in modern society. Today more than ever the incarceration rates are raising extremely. Not to mention, in the past year we have seen some of the biggest out cries for our African American communities with people using the power of social media to come together on a common ground in regards to law enforcement unjustly killing African Americans and other minorities while in the attempt of arresting them. With that being said as Lauryn Hills lyrics state “Ya'll can't handle the truth in a courtroom of lies. Representing security/Holding the word of God
The media considers the1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City the spark of the modern gay rights movement. This occurred after the police raided the Stonewall bar, a popular gay bar in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. Allyn argues that the new energy and militancy generated by the riot played a crucial role in creating the gay liberation movement. Arguably, the Stonewall Riots have come to resemble the pivotal moment in gay rights history largely because it provided ways for the gay community to resist the social norms. In fact, the riots increased public awareness of gay rights activism (Allyn 157). Gay life after the Stonewall riots, however, was just as varied and complex as it was before. In the following era, ho...
“My love, she keeps me warm.” Without context, these song lyrics have no impact or power behind them. However, if told that these words were sung by a female vocalist, and preceded by the lyrics “I can’t change, even if it tried, even if I wanted to,” suddenly the words have meaning as a woman sings of her love for another woman (Haggerty, Lewis, Lambert, 2102). These lyrics come from the 2012 song “Same Love” by Macklemore with Ryan Lewis and featuring Mary Lambert. In the song “Same Love,” Macklemore raises his voice against the issues of discrimination, gay rights, and marriage equality that we see in today's era. He uses two fallacies in the song, but Macklemore’s use of the three rhetorical appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos in his song “Same Love,” have a great level of success in proving the importance of gay rights and marriage equality.
Today, especially with the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality, it is easy to believe that the fight for queer rights is something of the past, something that America as a whole moved beyond because we have achieved these rights. For example, the conclusion to Stonewall Uprising creates a sort of historical separation that allows anyone and everyone to believe that the United States and all the people within it have moved past homophobia, transphobia, and queerphobia. However, this is absolutely not a reality for many queer and trans people today, especially poor and/or incarcerated queer and trans people of color. The conclusion to Sarah Lamble’s “Retelling Racialized Violence, Remaking White Innocence” brings to light the issues affecting
The gay rights movement has made great progress in the United States, compared to generations ago, with the legalization of marriage in some states, and also the gaining of certain equal rights. Many people today accept homosexuals within society, and society in general is more...
“Everybody’s journey is individual. If you fall in love with a boy, you fall in love with a boy. The fact that many Americans consider it a disease says more about them than it does about homosexuality”. -James Baldwin. In his impressionable quote Baldwin voices the prominent yet tacit unacceptance of Homosexuality. Baldwin indicates that homosexuality or queerness in America is equated to an incurable disease or illness has been a conventional theory that it reveals an attitude of intolerance within American society . This widespread notion has held an augmented presence most notably in the African American community.(Crawford et al. 2002:179-180). In a thorough yet, animated analysis of Floyd, Ayana Mathis reviews popular receptions of Homosexuality and Queerness in the African American community. The characterization of Floyd unveils the ostracization that homosexual Black men face which generates a deceptive performance of hypermasculinity. This false performance is displayed through masking emotion and unveiling an attitude of contempt for anything dearth to the ideology of masculinity while perpetuating Homophobia.
The most popular new music to emerge from the ‘80’s was rap music. It first developed in the mid ‘70’s in New York City, and soon in other urban areas, primarily amongst African-American teen-agers. It became very popular with the urban public that it soon began to spread throughout the United States and much of the world. It replaced rock music as the creative force in music of the ‘80’s and ‘90’s. However, as popular as it was then and it is now, the lyrics of many rap songs have caused controversy. Many believe and have charged that these lyrics promote racism and violence and show contempt for women.
In our society, equality has always been a reoccurring issue. All the way from early slavery and the Holocaust to discrimination toward African Americans and same-sex marriages. As much as our world works on being equal, each culture has its differences. In Michael Jackson’s song, “Black or White” and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ song, “Same Love,” they approach the same topic, equality. Each song is touching on the important issues of the time, racial discrimination and same-sex relationships. Both artists have the same visions on fairness and each song is just the start of how people started to change their views on these equality differences.
“Equal rights for lesbians and gay men may be the greatest civil rights battle of the 21st century” (Avery 2007, p. 71). Homosexual couples have been fighting a losing battle for years, and their struggle has recently taken the spotlight once again as a burning topic. Over the years, many people have come to support equal love. However, many Americans still advocate the one man-one woman institution of marriage. The fight for equal rights in general has always been a complex issue. African Americans, women, and many other minorities have had to fight for the rights that they hold today. There are many factors involved in gay activism such as support, attitudes, roles, and the implications of the movement. Social psychology takes a particular interest in gay rights and these factors in particular, as it is a current, controversial topic within American society.
>. Dixon, Travis L., TaKeshia Brooks. “Rap Music and Rap Audiences: Controversial Themes, Psychological Effects and Political Resistance.” Perspectives. 7 April 2009. .
In 2011, The Heinz Foundation commission a study entitled, Portrayal and Perception and it found that media bias existed and concluded that a disproportionate amount of Pittsburgh news coverage of African American men and boys focused on crime. The information retrieved from the study is less about sexuality or crime but that a bias toward a race and or a culture exist in such a pervasive manner that influences behavior on a number of different levels. It’s impossible to ignore the connection between the media and societal bias, it can’t be overlooked or minimized. It’s no secret that within the queer community that biases exist that can be quite difficult for a non-white male to overcome. By acknowledging the struggle within the gay community is to admit decades of exclusionary practices that prohibit gay blacks from being socially accepted within a small segment of society that affords openness and acceptance of ones sexuality. However, to a larger more dynamic struggle with race and gender related issues in our society goes unanswered because we refuse to admit that a problem exist. It would go a long way in tackling the problems, it we would simply admit that something is amiss. Being a champion for fairness and diversity in this complex universe takes real courage considering that the atmosphere is dominated by white males. Whether gay, queer or straight these striking similar community is similar in this
This articles brings lyrics from a song that was previously considered offensive, which is now clean by today’s standards, and effectively argues for freedom of speech.
Hate, a passionate dislike for something or someone, has taken part of every war in the world, whether it is a political or civil one. Macklemore, the rapper of the song “Same Love”, uses powerful lyrics and imagery in many of his songs. It is in “Same Love” that he raps about a social issue that the world has been dealing with since, some could argue, the beginning of time. In the song “Same Love” he uses his rap to speak to everyone who can make a change in this world. “Same Love” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis bring awareness to the unjust issue of homophobia by giving people the information they need to obtain a voice and stand up for humans who have had their rights stolen.