Discussion Assignment

Same Love

If you listen to any American pop radio station, I’m sure you’ve probably heard the song, “Same Love,” by hiphop artist Macklemore (and Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert). It’s actually been out for over a year, but is gaining greater airplay, especially after US Supreme Court rulings on marriage

For this discussion forum, I want you to do this:

1) First search and watch the full 7-minute video SAME LOVE by MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS. Listen to the lyrics and the words Macklemore uses to convey his message. Also, check out this interview with Macklemore where he discusses his reason for writing the song and his feelings/stance as a hip-hop artist, Catholic, and nephew of a gay uncle.

2) Pick two parts or lines within the song that stand out to you AFTER you’ve looked at the lyrics AND listened to the song. For each part, I want you to write 2-3 sentences about why those lines stand out or are meaningful to you, whether you like the song or not. What do you interpret the lines you’ve chosen to mean and why did you pick them? (Remember, 2-3 sentences for each of your two parts you’ve chosen!)

3) In your own words using 2-3 sentences, reflect on how you think society today — in 2013 — receives this song and its message. Does anyone care? If so, who does and who doesn’t? In your answer, have you or anyone you know talked about this song, and, if so, what was said? Was it positive, negative, indifferent? Funny? If you haven’t discussed it with anyone yet, wait to do your post until you’ve played the song for someone else and have a casual convo about it. I am not looking for you to do an experiment here, just want you to explore/gauge others’ reactions to this song and write about that in your answer.

4) Anything else about this song that you wish to share?

Note: Video Transcript available HERE.