It Gets Better: Rise Against’s Powerful Message in “Make It Stop”
Rise Against has made social activism part of their band’s identity with lyrics that share powerful messages about moving toward a better world.
The band members have participated in community initiatives to substantiate messages about economic inequality, different forms of bigotry, and protecting the environment.
Lead singer Tim McIlrath discussed “Make It Stop (September’s Children),” from their sixth studio album Endgame, during his interview with Pierre Robert on 93.3 WMMR. The song includes one of the band’s most raw, authentic lyrical messages.
“Make It Stop” Saves A Life
Rise Against has spoken in particular about the high rates of suicide among LGBTQ+ teenagers. The official “Make It Stop” video shows LGBTQ+ teens bullied in high school with cruel pranks and gay slurs.
The end of the video includes the tragically long list of names of “September’s Children,” teenagers who took their own lives in September 2010.
McIlrath shared a story with Pierre Robert about a woman who attended a Rise Against show in Boston. The fan contemplated suicide but found refuge in the song’s message.
“A young woman was carrying a sign that literally just told her whole story, that ‘I almost ended it. The song saved my life’ kind of thing. That’s the kind of thing that you’re just so grateful you wrote the song and then grateful that it found people at the right time in their lives… You’re just so grateful in the moment that person is there to tell the story. You want to be understood as a songwriter, and you’re grateful that the song actually put water where the fire is.” -Tim McIlrath of Rise Against
Suicide remains one of the few taboo topics in an explicit universe. The thought of others taking their own lives makes people uncomfortable, but it’s a critical social issue that the band opened up about in the song’s powerful lyrics.
“Make It Stop” Lyrics
The lyrics give insight into the emptiness of suicidal feelings. Life’s hardships and the hatred of others might inflict horrific feelings, but life carries on past seemingly unbearable pain.
The second verse shares a message of hope for people who might’ve considered taking their own lives.
It’s always darkest just before the dawn
So stay awake with me, let’s prove them wrong
Modern society addresses other social issues more frequently and openly because of the shock and horror that leaves some people speechless when suicide impacts their lives. It’s a much harder concept for social activists to grasp than efforts to reverse unfair treatment, social injustice, or economic inequality.
However, the lyrics to “Make It Stop” invoke graphic images without fear of making people uncomfortable. The call for action outweighs the taboo feeling that too often prohibits conversations about suicide.
And too much blood has flown from the wrists
Of the children shamed for those they chose to kiss
Who will rise to stop the blood?
We’re calling for
Insisting on, a different beat, yeah
A brand new song
Rise Against shares a guiding light in the final verse. The list of teenagers who have taken their own lives is tragic. However, it doesn’t need to continue.
Make it stop
Let this end
This life chose me, I’m not lost in sin
And proud I stand of who I am
I plan to go on livingMake it stop
Let this end
All these years pushed to the ledge
But proud I stand, of who I am
I plan to go on living
It Gets Better encourages LGBTQ+ youth to define their own journey regardless of the hatred they face.
