Killing In The Name: Still relevant after 34 years

We all know Rage Against The Machine has always been political, in fact they’re ONLY political. Killing in The Name is a song that talks about police brutality and power abuse. And even though the song was released in 1992, we can sadly still find it relevant in 2026.

RATM is a band I find extremely valuable, they talk about politics, form their experience, and from their knowledge. Tom Morello (half Kenyan) studied political science at Harvard, and Zack de la Rocha (Mexican) has been an activist from a young age by being the son of an activist.

Let’s talk about it. In 1992, the U.S. was dealing with the trial of 4 LAPD officers who were accused of assaulting an African American driver, named, Rodney King. In 1991 the video of this assault went viral in the news, showing the police officers taser and beat up Rodney. The trial had an all-white jury whose verdict was that the officers were NOT guilty, which led to riots across Los Angeles.  

The title of the song Killing In The Name, is about how murder is not acceptable in any way, doesn’t matter if it’s in the name of God, law, or any other reason. Murder will never be acceptable.

Linking this idea, the album cover, is also political, a Buddhist Monk, Thích Quảng Đức, that set himself on fire as a protest due to religious oppressions. Pictured by Malcom Browne.

The song talks about police brutality and how it compares with the KKK, alluding to the fact that maybe the members of the KKK, entered the police, resulting in no consequences despite all the aggressions. Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses… those who died are justified by wearing the badge they’re the chosen ones.

And now you do what they told you… the context in which these lyrics exist in the song, refers to how the masses act when in fear of violence by the authority, so the song makes you question why should I do what they tell me?

Not only are the lyrics great, but the song and its sound makes it great also, we have a strong and heavy sound, accompanied by Toms iconic guitar sound, and an amazing solo. The way the guitar sound in this song makes it feel like part of the riot, like screaming, and that really adds to the song.

Lately, even after 34 years, the song is extremely relevant. In 2020 the U.S. went through a situation like the one they had in 1991. The murder of George Floyd went viral, as the police officers choked him on the streets. And even though the police officers in charge weren’t “guilty” at first, they ended up being charged with murder and going to jail. This song was also being used by Trump supporters, which made Tom Morello extremely confused, being that the song is opposite of what they want or what they believe.

Lately, in 2026, it seems like we are going again, this time with I.C.E and immigrants, and it’s just so sad and infuriating to see this police brutality and white supremacy. It just seems like this song never goes out, and that we can relate to it, way more than we should.

This is a topic that enrages me, and I feel like I might also be part of Rage Against The Machine, because what do you mean people are scared to death pf the police, when in theory they are the ones supposed to take care of us. The world has been crazy for a while now, and I can feel like this song reflects a lot on what’s happening, and why it is happening.

We should really listen to the song and make a change, instead of just listening and not care.

Keep Rocking x Paulina