We Are Not The Same

My name is Thorne Empire, and I want to speak directly to you about my upcoming song, “We Are Not The Same.” This isn’t just another track; it’s a cry from my heart, born out of the injustice I see in our world every single day.

This song isn’t about Democrats or Republicans. It isn’t about left or right. It’s about something far more important; good and evil. For a while, I wasn’t sure if I should take my music in such a political direction. But the truth is simple: evil prospers when good people stay silent. And I refuse to stay silent.

The spark that set this song in motion was when I heard someone had created a GoFundMe for Decarlos Brown Jr., the killer of an innocent young girl, Iryna Zarutska. The idea that people would raise money for a murderer while a young life was stolen; that was the first moment this song began to take shape. But it wasn’t the last.

This song speaks about the daily tasks we all know: working hard, supporting our families, paying taxes. Yet so often, those same taxes go to support people who don’t want to work, people who demand handouts and turn to riots or protests to get more. That frustration poured into these lines:

“We build with blood, they draw in sand,

We carry weight with calloused hands.

They break the bread we earn each day,

Then curse our hands that bore the fray.”

It also speaks about faith, respect for our flag, and honor for the men and women who died defending it. Too often I see people kneel before career criminals, lifting them up as heroes; even though those individuals hurt people and never contributed anything good to society. And yet, ironically, those same protesters wouldn’t want to live next door to them.

“We kneel to pray, not to obey,

They kneel to thugs who lead astray.

We honor flags, they burn them down,

We hold our ground, though threats grow dire.”

Another part of this song speaks about the need to protect our borders. I believe we should welcome people who respect this country and want to contribute to its future. But when open borders let violent individuals slip through, innocent people pay the price; like Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, and countless others.

It’s also about free speech. Some people celebrated the death of Charlie Kirk simply because they didn’t agree with his opinions. I didn’t know him personally, and I didn’t agree with everything he said; but no one deserves to be killed for using their First Amendment right.

“We guard the gate when night gets long,

They oil the hinges, hum their song.

We bury heroes with folded flags,

They dance on graves and sell the stones."

Our society is broken when we protect violent criminals like George Floyd, Michael Brown, or Jacob Blake, yet prosecute those who defend innocent bystanders, heroes like Daniel Penny and countless men and women in blue. We live in a time where misinformation spreads like wildfire, and truth gets buried under lies.

“They worship mirrors, we bury pride,

They cancel the brave, we stand beside.

They coddle the weak while the honest pay;

We plow the storm; they run from day.”

I also remember the 2020 BLM riots and protests, the largest civil insurrection in USA history, with 15 to 26 million participants. What many don’t realize is the cost: $1 to 2 billion in insured losses and up to $1 to 2 trillion in total economic damage. Small businesses destroyed, communities burned, families torn apart, people fired, and yet, little accountability.

“So wear your crown of rust and shame,

We will build again through smoke and flame.

You had your feast; we count the cost;

But we still stand where you were lost.”

“We Are Not The Same” isn’t just a song. It’s a statement. It’s a line in the sand. It’s me saying: we stand for truth, honor, faith, and hard work; while others twist reality, worship criminals, and profit from destruction.

We don’t bend. We don’t break. We don’t answer hate with hate; we answer it with truth.

And after reading these words and hearing this song, you’ll know exactly which side you’re on. Because deep down, you know your soul. You know what you once stood for. And you know what you stand for now.