“And I can’t change, even if I tried, even if I wanted to…” Music can start revolutions. Through every decade and generation certain songs stick out that raise social awareness. The first song I remember as a child was “Paint it Black” by The Rolling Stones, when I hear this song I visually recall images of Vietnam, images from TV about the ugliness of war and fighting an invisible enemy. James Brown’s “I’m Black and I’m Proud,” brings forth images of the Civil Rights Movement and inner city youths in the 80’s used N.W.A.’s “[eff] tha Police” as their anthem to express frustrating oppression by those sworn to protect and serve. Music is our outlet, our voice, our push for change; sometimes it’s informative, sometimes it’s violent and obscene. Music is protected by freedom of speech; it can be politically incorrect, offensive but sometimes issues that need to be brought to light are done so through lyrics. “When I was in third grade I thought I was gay, ‘cause I could draw, my uncle was, and I kept my room straight,” Macklemore and Ryan Lewis tackled a hot topic with “Same Love” (Macklemore Lyrics "Same Love" with Ryan Lewis Featuring Mary Lambert). Homophobia is part of mainstream hip-hop and rap music. The song touches on stereotypes, politics, religion, and the social stigma of being gay. It was also the anthem for change in Washington State’s Referendum 74, legalization of same-sex marriage (Headlee). The first time I heard “Same Love” I was driving to work, it tells the story of a child confused about his sexuality at a young age because of stereotyping. It continues to touch on politics, religion, cyberbullying, and about speaking up. By the time Mary Lambert begins the chorus, “and I can’t change, even if I try, even if I wanted to, (Macklemore Lyrics "Same Love" with Ryan Lewis Featuring Mary Lambert)” tears were rolling down my face and I forced myself to