Just last Friday I was scrolling through my Twitter feed and I came across Complex Music’s tweet about the rapper Macklemore releasing his single called, “White Privilege II.” My gut reaction was a pretty negative one. I immediately thought, “Who the hell does he think he is? Will the real Ben Haggerty please sit down?” Of course, I stopped and policed myself, did some research, listened to the song, and was able to make some sense of the situation. Macklemore’s situated place in society as a cis-gender, white, (presumably) heterosexual male is the epitome of American white privilege. Macklemore has used this privilege to support love equality with his well-known 2012 single “Same Love” and just recently with his single “White Privilege II,” which is actually a follow up single to his 2005 single, “White Privilege.” There have been a number of responses to Macklemore’s single. Responses ranged from praise of the rapper’s good use of his privilege to draw attention to the issue to anger towards his action of speaking to this issue because of his privilege. While Macklemore was expecting anticipated criticisms, as any artist should, according to Rolling Stone, he did utilize outside sources from activists, academics, intellectuals and fellow artists when working through the several revisions of the song. After listening to the song, there are lots of deconstructing and analysis that can be done, but overall, Macklemore works towards raising awareness to the Black Lives Matter movement and the appropriation of black culture by white artists. Macklemore calls out Miley Cyrus and Iggy Azalea in one of his verses, comparing them to Elvis, and their cultural appropriation in the music industry. On the other hand, rapper, J.Cole in his song “Fire Squad” off of his 2014 album 2014 Forest Hills Drive, makes this same reference comparing Elvis to contemporary artists but instead calls out Macklemore along with Justin Timberlake and Eminem. Macklemore’s actions is essentially posing a dilemma for all of us, fans or otherwise, of their ability to speak to and/or for those in the margins of society. Here at Augustana our student diversity groups are welcomed to all. Back when the Augustana Black Lives Matter movement took signatures for a petition of solidarity, there were white students who assisted in taking signatures as well as helped organize the event. In other student groups across campus, such as the Augustana GSA, many students who identify as heterosexual also participate in solidarity with or as allies with those students who identify as gay, lesbian, and queer. In these situations, people situated in a privileged place in society are using their privilege to stand with, help, and support those marginalized. So isn’t Macklemore technically doing the same thing? Macklemore could have participated in a Black Lives Matter protest. Macklemore could have made a public statement of his solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Macklemore literally could have done any other sort of social justice act other than writing a rap to express his solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The context in which Macklemore decided to express his feelings is what raised so much controversy. Macklemore is condemning other white artists for appropriating black culture when he’s doing the exact same thing himself by inserting himself into the hip hop culture even though he can’t rap. Not only is it hard for marginalized communities’ culture to succeed over the dominant society’s culture, but also when a member of the dominant society becomes successful in the marginalized culture, it brings about anger and resentment. In this case, it especially doesn’t help that Macklemore doesn’t have bars. This all raises many question for all of us. If you don’t experience these oppressions, are you able to stand with those who do? While it is admirable for Macklemore to identify his white privilege, the execution of doing so could have fared better in an NPR interview.