The Sociology of Arts and Humanities Essay

“What is Sociological about art?” one might ask. Sociology is the scientific study of

social relationships, interaction, and culture. The way we can perceive art in a sociological way

is to examine the interactions between musicians and fans, the passion of audiences, the

communities that support, produce and transmit music, the message it gives and how it’s

interpreted and influential. Through observations and research, it’s obvious to the fact that

societies have grown and changed over the years are partially persuaded and advocated by the

arts. Artistic work and events influence our society on behalf of our beliefs, structures and

values. Social messages are sent through songs, videos, paintings, etc. The song “Same Love”

by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Mary Lambert is an excellent example that inspires change in

our society.

This music piece has touched the hearts of many around the world, it’s brought down

tears to many faces and provokes the mind for LGBT equality. The song was written from the

perspective of a lesbian with the themes of love and security in relationships. This took a

universal appeal and resulted in a consecutive appearance on pop radio. The time of the release

was July 18, 2012 and was recorded during the campaign for Washington Referendum 74 and it

wasn’t until November 2012 for the legalization of same-sex marriage in Washington State.

“Same Love” reached #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and reached #1 in both

Australia and New Zealand.

Human sexuality has been a growing subject to many sociologists for years now. The

question of those is why are people straight, gay or other sexual orientation and how society

effects one’s identity. Macklemore mentions social stereotypes, the hostility many homosexual

individuals experience, and his hope for equality. Based on our societal interactions, most
Americans tend to use stereotypes to define the sexuality of others. As society we’ve framed the

gender roles on what’s female and what’s male and when one sex has traits that we associate

with the other, assumptions are made of their sexual orientation. Macklemore also acknowledges

how people regularly say “that’s so gay” and how we’ve become numb to the pejorative term. It

seems nearly unattainable to detach from the negativity because of social groups and influences.

One of the sociological theories that relate to “Same Love” is the symbolic interaction

theory, “Symbolic interaction theory analyzes society by addressing the subjective meanings that

people impose on objects, events, and behaviors. Subjective meanings are given primacy because

it is believed that people behave based on what they believe and not just on what is objectively

true. Thus, society is thought to be socially constructed through human interpretation. People

interpret one another’s behavior, and it is these interpretations that form the social bond”

(Crossman). American philosopher, George Herbert Mead introduced this outlook to sociology

in the 1920s. Those who follow a religion such as Christianity, believe that homosexuality can be

“fixed” by treatment and used as a form of social control to ensure everyone is the same. They

claim it is harmful to attempt to assert social control over this society. This form of deviance may

one day be considered acceptable in reference to the civil rights movement. If we were to act in

the way “Same Love” wants us to, society would have more equality, less bullying and hate,

beneficial to society and would lead to understanding and peace between both groups

In conclusion, the effect of the art piece “Same Love” has helped with the United State’s

gay marriage legalization, brings attention to stereotypes and phrases we’ve become numb to,

give a perspective and story of those in LGBT and helps influence others on their belief on

LGBT rights. The social control of the anti-gay beliefs has narrowed down and the social

deviance has been widely accept.

 Works Cited

Crossman, Ashley. "What Is Symbolic Interactionism?" ThoughtCo. ThoughtCo, 27 Dec.

2018. Web.

Link to “Same Love” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Mary Lambert:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVBg7_08n0