Wednesday morning. November 10, 2016. Once those final votes came in, the world was left to react to the new president, Donald Trump. And for a range of minorities praying their safety and rights be secured by whoever America elected, dreams were shattered.
Macklemore, who has been known to tackle issues of injustice and inequality, penned his feelings to Instagram that day. But it wasn’t enough to express his full sentiments. This week, he pulled his thoughts together into a new single, “Wednesday Morning.”
To Macklemore, the soft sounds of the piano provide the intro to the concerns that put “bad taste in my mouth.” Having watched the news on television, he worries what the the future will hold for women, the LGBTQ+ community, Muslims, and so many more. But he is determined to fight for these communities and his own daughter, who he refuses to let the upcoming presidential administration negatively impact. Macklemore keeps the thought of her throughout the chorus and at the end of every verse.
Imagine tryna keep your head
While your daughter sleeps in bed
And when she wakes up, will the world be the same?
Will my girl be afraid in the home of the brave?
See I hope, I hope, that it’s gon’ be alright
But what a hell of a night
I am disappointed, shocked and shaken at my core by what has transpired tonight. I gathered around the TV with my family and loved ones, ready to celebrate history being made. My daughter had this little blue dress on. I was ready to pop the Martinelli’s and hold her, watching Hilary Clinton become the first female president of the United States of America. But…It didn’t happen. I had a sick feeling in my gut, riddled with anxiety as the polls started coming in. After hours of a growing pit in my stomach, it was over. I left the TV, grabbed my daughter and took her to bed. But now, as I’m laying next to my her as she sleeps, I remember. Remember what I have control over and what I don’t. I don’t have control over Donald Trump becoming president. That has been decided. But what I do have control over is where I go from here. I will teach my daughter to love. All people, regardless of the color of their skin, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or where their birth certificate says they’re from. I will teach her how important it is to be an advocate for humanity. Not just the portion of humanity that benefits her. I will teach her non violent communication. That in the face of hatred we must love each other even harder. Not give in. Not get discouraged or feel like our progress in the past is void. Keeping fighting for all of us, with an emphasis on those that and have been the most affected by systemic oppression. I will teach her that when she is silent during moments of injustice, she is siding with the oppressor. I will teach her that walls divide people, and by their nature cannot bring us closer. And that just because someone holds the most powerful position in the world, does not make that person right, just or fair. Donald Trump is not raising my daughter. I am. I get to encourage and nurture her to be who she wants to be. Teach her that her voice and actions can change the world. Teach her that she can do anything that a man can do. And one day, even become president of the United States of America. I have work to do. It starts now. And that work is the only thing bringing me peace at the moment
A photo posted by Ben Haggerty (@macklemore) on Nov 9, 2016 at 12:45am PST
In the song, the rapper has words for everything Americans are feeling at this exact moment, like fear, protest, and migration to Canada. But nothing will drive him out or silence him. His song is a direct hit to Trump and friends. And he is determined to unite their opposition for the good of a nation. “Humanity is a privilege, we can’t give in. When they build walls, we’ll build bridges”
“Wednesday Morning” is already hitting home for fans. One thanked Macklemore in an essay:
