Rage Against The Machine - A Group of Unlikely Heroes by Jon Poret

Rage Against The Machine Is a band that consisted of Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, Brad Wilk, and Zack De La Rocha, and became massive after releasing their self titled album in 1991, making music that expresses their political views in a way that provoked thought, similar to Marilyn Manson and System Of A Down. They are often seen as radicals, a group who do no good, but are they heroes?

RATM used their music to express their views on politics and the corruption of government (in their eyes) and the injustice in American society. Songs like "Killing in the name" and "Fistful of Steel" talk about how the American Government is "Corrupt" and how people conform to the views of those in power because they are in power. They provoked thought in those who listened to them, and pointed out the issues in society, causing changes and new revolutions inside of America.

In 2000, RATM performed as part of a protest near where the Democratic National Convention was,  Protesting against the United States' 2 party system. Some attendants of the concert started a riot to which police reacted poorly, using tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to stop the rioters. They also suppressed the peaceful protest that was approved by the state, which involved other bands performing. The police also attacked members of press who followed the instructions of police, trying to escape the chaos. RATM exposed the unnecessary violence and brutality of police, who attacked innocent people to suppress their protest, a violation of their first amendment rights.

The band also exposed the inhumane acts of torture being performed at Guantanamo bay, demanding that all of the inhumane acts performed at the prison be declassified in the "Freedom of Information Act" where rumors surfaced that RATM's music was being used to torture inmates, as well as many humiliating things at the prison as ways to torture inmates. The band, along with Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, The Roots, and R.E.M. played a 72 hour long show called the "Rage Against Torture" in which they demanded that the "idea of Dick Cheney's America" be brought down and that the torture of inmates comes to an end.

The list of protests that the band participated in goes on and on, including one where they stood on stage with duct tape over their mouths, naked, with "PMRC" written on their chests to protest the censorship of music and the guidelines put in place to protect America's youth.

These protests make the group heroes because they exposed the unfair and inhumane actions of the government in many places and times, showing the "true goals" of the government. They stood up for what they believe is right against a group who actively tried to silence them, provoking thought and action all across the world.