 The troubadours of troubling times—Guthrie, Seeger, Baez, and Dylan among them—have become famous for their dedication both to music and the quest for social justice. Now we can add a name to the ranks of those who lift their voices for equality and human rights: Tom Morello. Morello is the Harvard-educated guitarist who dabbled in politics, then chose music to make a difference with his bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. Morello was in Madison, Wisconsin, in 2011 to support public service workers, and in New York City on May Day 2012 as part of a battalion of musicians called “Occupy Guitarmy.” Harry Belafonte has presented Morello with the Officers’ Award from the Sidney Hillman Foundation, honoring his “advocacy for and support of working people across the world.” On this edition of Moyers & Company, Morello shares his music, his message, and his mission with Bill Moyers. Broadcast date: May 18, 2012. (55 minutes)
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