As y’all might know, I’m
not “into” a lot of today’s culture. I don’t watch television or go to the
movies every single weekend. I don’t drink coffee and I’d much rather be
reading or doing something with my hands then sitting inside and passing my
time in front of some sort of screen. What I do love, however, is music. Though
I am not musically talented, per say, I love to listen and sing to whatever is
on the radio, and I was super excited when the Grammy’s rolled around the other
week. After going to bed at ten o’clock because my brother needed a ride to
school the next morning I spent plenty of time watching YouTube videos and
reading articles about what went on. What I saw was amazing, and I think this about
sums it up:
Macklemore and Ryan
Lewis...what a year they had, and what a Sunday night. The Seattle Times says
that their song, “Same Love” set the standard for the Grammy’s, held at the
Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday January 26, 2014. Their performance,
along with that of Sara Bareilles and Carole King, Lorde, Kacey Musgraves, and
Hunter Hays sent a clear message, all the while “rais[ing] questions about
gender, justice, class and staying true to yourself.” Macklemore’s performance
was one of the last, but one of the most lasting. His single, “Same Love,” was
the fourth single released off of his album “The Heist” but didn’t take off
until this summer, following the successes of “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us,”
which are both about much less controversial material. Still, the subject
matter did not hinder the single’s success, taking the #11 spot on the
Billboard Hot 100 and the #1 spots in both New Zealand and Australia. Inspired
by the story of a gay teenager who took his life, Macklemore wrote his own take
on the continuing battle for gay rights. His song proclaims, “I might not be
the same, but that’s not important. No freedom ‘till we’re equal. Damn right, I
support it.”
During the performance, Queen
Latifah emerged onto the stage, carrying out a ceremony to unite 33 gay and
straight coupled in marriage (34 couples, according to other articles). Madonna
then joined the party singing her hit, “Open Your Heart.” The couples exchanged
rings, shed tears, and sang along. Macklemore’s own sister took part in the
ceremony, giving herself to her boyfriend.
While the fight for Gay
Rights continues, support is not coming from everywhere. Gay marriage is one of
the few topics the Federal Government will not address fully, giving the states
the right to decide whether or not gay marriage will be allowed. As of December
20, 2013, seventeen states and Washington DC have established the freedom to
marry same-sex couples. (North Carolina is not one of those states.) Colorado,
Oregon, Nevada, and Wisconsin offer a more limited civil union or domestic
partnership.
Personally, I’m with
Macklemore on this one. We are all sinners, but we all have something to bring
to this world. It pains my heart to know that some wonderful human beings are
hiding the greatness within themselves because they’re afraid of being judged
by their peers, that some kids would rather take themselves out of the world
than tell the people who brought them into the world who they really are. While
I have been taught that “marriage” is between a man, a woman, and God, I think
society has turned it into something else, and that the marriage we know today
needs to be available to everyone. When my grandkids look to their history
books and see gay marriage the same way I look at my history books and see
slavery and civil rights, I want to be able to say that I supported the way of
the future, that I loved everyone I came into contact with regardless of their
beliefs. I know I still have a far way to go, but that doesn’t mean I’m going
to stop trying.
Macklemore took home
four Grammy’s last month. He may have apologized for some of them, but he never
apologized for writing about things that mattered to him. In the process, I
hope he changed some views. He definitely had an effect on mine.
“Live on, and be
yourself.”
I completely agree with you, it's not fair that the gay's do not have the same rights as we have when it comes to marriage. And I love your comment about the History books and grandkids, you said everything perfectly. And I really do believe his song inspired many people.
ReplyDeleteThis is most definitely a prevalent topic in our society and one that I am a passionate advocate for. In my opinion, everyone should be themselves and not fear judgement by others. If that happens to mean that you're attracted to the same sex then so be it! To be honest love is what makes us human and is also what everyone needs and deserves in their lives. It is absurd to deny someone their right to get married based on who they choose to love. And if it doesn't hurt or negatively affect you then it shouldn't be a problem right? I too really enjoy that you compared marriage equality now to the civil rights movement in the 60's, because they're very similar in the sense that they both infringe on people's civil liberties. I hope that more people learn to be open minded and more tolerant of each other.
ReplyDeleteThis topic will still be debated for years to come and even after it is settled persecution will still occur much like the result of the Civil Right's Movement of the 60's. Everyone does have the right to do as they choose which makes this country great. The most annoying thing about this topic is that Americans are alright with same sex marriages, the only thing standing in the way is the concept of Freedom of Religion that many use as the only opposition to cases like DOMA and other same sex marriages.
ReplyDeleteI hope that in the future history texts will highlight this aspect of Civil Rights. Good blog Emily.
ReplyDelete