Rage Against the Machine Release ‘Killing in Thy Name’ Mini-Documentary About Race
Tom Morello – Story by Cat Badra, photo by Anne Erickson
Rage Against the Machine tackle white supremacy and “the fiction known as whiteness” in a new mini-documentary called “Killing in Thy Name”
Rage Against the Machine have released a short documentary called “Killing in Thy Name,” a take on the band’s song, “Killing in the Name.” The 15-minute clip centers around the risks of white supremacy and, as the film calls it, “the fiction known as whiteness.”
“Our aim is for this piece to be a fire escape from the fiction known as whiteness and a spring for discovery,” a statement reads at the start of the mini-documentary. “Remember, the children are always watching.”
Rage’s song “Killing in the Name” appears throughout the clip, and the film wraps up with footage of a live performance of the track. Rage Against the Machine band members also appear in the film and discuss why they feel it’s crucial to bring their views to the forefront using their music.
“Writing songs that have something to say about what’s going on socially and politically isn’t a choice for us,” bass player Tim Commerford says in the film. “It’s an obligation. I want to use music as a weapon and start spraying fools.”
“My mom is a white woman with a radical voice,” guitarist Tom Morello adds. “For three decades she was a progressive teacher in a conservative high school inspiring students to challenge the system — in her actions and words she has always taught that racism must never be ignored and must always be confronted.”
Drummer Brad Wilk adds that Rage Against the Machine’s “music wouldn’t exist without the politics.” He goes on to say, “When we’re playing a show, if something clicks for any one kid in the audience — starting that change, that process of thinking for themselves — that’s the most potent time Rage Against the Machine can have as a band.”
Watch “Killing in Thy Name” via YouTube below. The artists’ collective The Ummah Chroma (standing for Community of Colour) directed the film.
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