Music Videos Imagery and Lyrics February 16th 2015

Shura - Touch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2AOjb9HW2E
This video contains more visual then lyrical methods to challenge gender norms. It begins showing a heterosexual relationship, which in our culture is a gender norm. It quickly shifts to show people of the same sex kissing. This is a large breech in our culture's gender norm. It shows how every person is different, therefore every relationship is going to be different. When looking at the lyrics of this song prior to watching the video, it is unclear that the video may challenge gender norms. It is simply one person singing about there relationship with another. The lyrics can be ambiguous about sex and gender norms, but can carry the same strong message. This video is simply powerful. I think it makes big strides when it comes to acceptance of others. 

Macklemore - Same Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVBg7_08n0
Macklemore uses both visual and lyrical methods to challenge gender norms. The lyrics of this song are centered around the fact that anyone should be able to love anyone. Similar to the first video, it is accepted and understood that a relationship should be heterosexual, but every person is different, therefore there should be visually different relationships. He even says,
"It's the same hate that's caused wars from religion, 
Gender to skin color, the complexion of your pigment
The same fight that led people to walk outs and sit ins
It's human rights for everybody, there is no difference!"

This just goes to show that the break in our gender norms is just another prejudice that takes some time to get over. Macklemore is showing his acceptance to represent those in our society who accepted the difference in gender norms. Soon enough this 'break in gender norm' will be a gender norm. Macklemore's video for this song just exemplifies his lyrics. In contrast to the previous video, these lyrics are much more powerful. They can prove the point they are trying to make without the video. I think that Macklemore really took a risk with this song, but it payed off.