Rage Against the Machine’s song “Freedom”, the twelfth track of their self titled album, has a strong connection to Lost Notes 1980 and the some themes that were spread around that time. The Song ” raises awareness about the Native American Activist, Leonard Peltier, who was involved in the American Indian Movement (AIM).” (Genius, “Rage against the Machine – Freedom.”) and it is about how his is trial for two life sentences was questionable considering false testimonies and the prosecutions misconduct with false evidence. From many songs like this where they speak out of political systems of oppression and unjust systems, RATM are often seen as extremists.

Just like we saw in Lost Notes 1980 podcast episode “Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba”,we see cases where they are seen as extremists for talking against the law that was passed in South Africa and the injustices that are going on. We saw Mirima Makeba and Hugh Masekela both being banned from returning to their home country. In RATM’s case, news reports and concerts often shut them down and they are censored from the public for their lyrics which call out many relevant injustices going on everyday.

“Rage against the Machine – Freedom (Official HD Video).” YouTube, 26 Mar. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_vQt_v8Jmw.

“Rage against the Machine – Freedom.” Genius, genius.com/Rage-against-the-machine-freedom-lyrics. Accessed 16 May 2023.“Rage against the Machine – Freedom.” Genius, genius.com/Rage-against-the-machine-freedom-lyrics. Accessed 16 May 2023.

Abdurraqib, Hanif. “In 1980, Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba Performed inside South Africa against the Government’s Wishes – in Lesotho.” KCRW, 24 Sept. 2020, www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/lost-notes/hugh-masekela-miriam-makeba.

Ep.4 of La Brega ‘Vieques and the Promise To Build Back Better’ discusses the aftermath and long term effects of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico. In this Podcast episode we see the disrespect and lack of care the government of the U.S. had on Puerto Rico. We start off with President Trump visiting the Island and throwing rolls of paper towels towards the hurricane victims. We also listen to how the president of Puerto Rico reached out for help and FEMA made it seem they held a grudge and did not want to help them. The president then was pressured into signing an act that would help puerto rico but even after a year of the act passed, no projects have been green-lit to be built. We end with a sad story of 13 year old girl who died because the hospital where she was did not have the necessary equipments to treat and save her. This sparked a national effort for protest about the things they were promised which they still haven’t received.

There was more things going on than what I have said but my take on this was that the attempts and empty promises to help the people of puerto rico was just a big kick to the face. Multiple empty promises for restructure and support were given with no fulfillment to the promises. For example, The 420 act was supposed to build back everything destroyed by the Hurricane but a year after they still are destroyed. The promise to build projects like hospitals are still not green-lit and its almost like a “soon” promises that never will be completed. Especially in the case with the 13 year old girl who could not receive proper care and treatment in critical condition which showed the dire situation for action in Puerto Rico.

A question I have is what good is a promise that cannot be completed and what effects does it have on the person waiting?