Macklemore – Same Love
Lady Gaga – Born This Way
2010
March 3, Congress approves a law signed in December 2009 that legalizes same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia.
August 4, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker rules that Proposition 8, the 2008 referendum that banned same-sex marriage in California, violates the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. "Proposition 8 singles out gays and lesbians and legitimates their unequal treatment," Vaughn writes. "Proposition 8 perpetuates the stereotype that gays and lesbians are incapable of forming long-term loving relationships and that gays and lesbians are not good parents."
December 18, the U.S. Senate votes 65 to 31 in favor of repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the Clinton-era military policy that forbids openly gay men and women from serving in the military. Eight Republicans side with the Democrats to strike down the ban. The ban will not be lifted officially until President Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, agree that the military is ready to enact the change and that it won't affect military readiness. OnDec. 18, President Obama officially repeals the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy.
2011
June 24, New York passes a law to allow same-sex marriage. New York is now the largest state that allows gay and lesbian couples to marry. The vote comes on the eve of the city's annual Gay Pride Parade and gives new momentum to the national gay-rights movement. The marriage bill is approved with a 33 to 29 vote. Cheering supporters greet Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he arrives on the Senate floor to sign the measure at 11:55pm, just moments after the vote. After making same-sex marriage one of his top priorities, Cuomo emerges as a true champion of gay rights.
2012
February 7, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in California rules 2–1 that Proposition 8, the 2008 referendum that banned same-sex marriage in state, is unconstitutional because it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. In the ruling, the court says, the law "operates with no apparent purpose but to impose on gays and lesbians, through the public law, a majority's private disapproval of them and their relationships."
February 13, Washington becomes the seventh state to legalize gay marriage.
March 1, Maryland passes legislation to legalize gay marriage, becoming the eighth state to do so.
May 9, President Barack Obama endorses same-sex marriage. "It is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married," he said. He makes the statement days after Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan both came out in support of gay marriage.
Nov. 6,Tammy Baldwin, a seven-term Democratic congresswoman from Wisconsin, prevails over former governor Tommy Thompson in the race for U.S. Senate and becomes the first openly gay politician elected to the Senate. Also on Election Day, gay marriage is approved in a popular vote for the first time. Maine and Maryland vote in favor of allowing same-sex marriage. In addition, voters in Minnesota reject a measure to ban same-sex marriage.
Source: Infoplease. “The American Gay Rights Movement: A Timeline.” Accessed May 13, 2014.
Questions to consider:
Are Lady Gaga and Macklemore leading change or are they promoting views that are already popular?
How might releasing these songs influence their popularity and the attitudes of their fans?
Creedence Clearwater Revival (John Fogerty) – Fortunate Son
Pitchfork:You've obviously played protests, and you play a lot of songs people play as protest songs. Would you consider yourself a protest singer?
JF: Only at times. I think at times the very strong feelings I have about my country coincide with my musical ability, and I'm able to actually turn it into music, a song or even hopefully a memorable song, sometimes. You may find it surprising, but I'm a very intense, proud American. I love being an American. But I come from a generation that came of age in the 60s, so that intense pride sort of comes out a little differently in me than it does in, say, John Wayne. Now that I'm a lot older, I certainly revere John Wayne as an icon. Heck, he was a cowboy, and I love cowboys. But during the Vietnam era, he was too dang right wing. He was status quo, everything's great. He was against the protesters and for the Nixon White House, and his politics I think-- I think-- tended to be quite conservative. He could have almost uttered the phrase "stay the course." [laughs]
I'm just made differently. Man, I just love being an American, I love my country. But it happened to me during the Nixon time, especially pre-Watergate, that as I watched Nixon for the first time in my life I felt shame. I had to analyze myself. What is this emotion? I realized that my government was separate from my country. It was the first time I ever felt ashamed of the government, not the country. I felt that the population as a whole, of which I am one member, I was proud of that. I was proud of our history, all the things that have lead us to where we are and what we stood for and stand for still-- I hope. But there was a distinct difference. That was the first time I could see that what the government was doing was not necessarily what my country wanted to have done. Which is probably how I feel now. That pride as an American comes out a little bit different. I can salute the flag. I can totally support the troops. And yet I am against what my president is doing with those troops.
Pitchfork:"Fortunate Son" is just steeped with disgust at what Nixon was up to.
JF: Well, it was so glaring. It was so obvious during Nixon's time that the children of privilege-- the senator's son, the president's son, if he had one, or at least the president's daughter's boyfriend-- they weren't going to war. They were going to have a cushy job somewhere. Whereas the poor, lower class grunt was going to be the guy in field getting shot. It made me so angry. I'm not the first guy to notice it, but it made me so angry that the rich old men make the war, and the poor young men have to fight it.
Source: Pitchfork. “John Fogerty.” Accessed May 13, 2014.
Questions to consider:
What was Fogerty displeased with? Why did he write “Fortunate Son”?
How might Fogerty’s song still be used today?
John Lennon – Imagine
Source: Sonic Editions. “John and Yoko War is Over.” Accessed May 13, 2014.
During the Vietnamese War, for the years 1964–73, there were more than 24,000 who evaded the draft by illegal means. Many sought refuge in Canada. A few later returned home and most were imprisoned. Many more, however, remained at large, and amnesty or pardon for evaders became a national issue. In 1974 President Ford offered a conditional amnesty for a six-month period, under which draft evaders and deserters could clear their records by working for a time in certain public-service jobs. In 1977 President Carter granted a general pardon to draft evaders.
Source:HowStuffWorks. “Draft Evasion.”Accessed May 13, 2014.
Questions to Consider:
What significance does the high level of draft evasion in America during the Vietnam war have? Why might some of these people have avoided the draft?
Do Lennon’s lyrics relate specifically to the Vietnam war? Why or why not? Can they be used today for other pacifist movements?
ColbieCaillat – Battle
I wrote “Battle” about my frustration with our government and politics, my opinion on the war, and about people and the hurt and harm they can cause when they get too wrapped up in their own agenda. About wondering how they could feel no remorse, and why instead of owning up to their mistakes and doing what is right, they continue full force on the same path, refusing to take the necessary steps to begin to make things better again, and telling twisted stories and imposing fear along the way to gain supporters on their side that never even heard the truth.
The chorus of the song goes:
“This is a battle, and it’s your final last call. It was a trial, you made a mistake, we know. But why aren’t you sorry? Why aren’t you sorry, why? Things can be better, we can be happy, try!” Meaning … yes, we know you made a mistake, we all make mistakes, maybe you didn’t know any better at the time, but why aren’t you sorry, and why won’t you make the changes to make things better?!!
Source: MTV Buzzworthy. “Buzzworthy Guest Blogger ColbieCaillat on Writing ‘Battle’.”Accessed May 13, 2014.
Questions to Consider:
Do you think that Caillat’s lyrics effectively communicate her views on the Iraq war?
Many people interpret Caillat’s song as about a romantic relationship. How can this dual meaning help or hinder its popularity and effectiveness?
Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks
I wrote 'Pumped Up Kicks' when I began to read about the growing trend in teenage mental illness. I wanted to understand the psychology behind it because it was foreign to me. It was terrifying how mental illness among youth had skyrocketed in the last decade. I was scared to see where the pattern was headed if we didn't start changing the way we were bringing up the next generation.
I wrote that song three years ago. A lot has changed since then, and a lot has stayed the same.
For the past few years I've been an advocate for stricter gun control regulations and have been passionate about reforming our laws so this country would be safer. So my little brothers could go to school and I wouldn't have to worry about them. So people wouldn't have access to weapons that were capable of large-scale destruction ie: AR-15's with 30 round magazines.
This song was written as a way to create ongoing dialogue for an issue that was being talked about, but when it came to government intervention, was largely being ignored.
Now, this topic is finally at the forefront of major discussion and will hopefully lead to some big changes in policy that will prevent these acts of violence from happening in the future. That being said, I respect people’s decision to press pause. And if that becomes a catalyst for a bigger conversation that could lead to positive change moving forward, then I absolutely support it.
Source: CNN Entertainment. “Band talks ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ post school shooting.” Accessed May 13, 2014.
Questions to Consider:
After a school shooting, Pumped Up Kicks was pulled from radios in an effort to be sensitive to the families of the students. Do you agree or disagree with this decision? Why?
This song reflects the composer’s own concerns, though they were not necessarily prominent in American social discussions at the time. How can a song release such as this influence the beliefs or interests of listeners?