Hidden Meanings Behind Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' Video Explained

Apr 2024 26

Childish Gambino’s ‘This Is America’ has become an overnight cultural phenomenon. The internet was quick to point out tons of hidden messages throughout the piece. Here’s some you’ve might have missed.

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Produced by: Alana Yzola

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@LANobleArtist

2 years ago -@

Mass incarceration for marijuana possession now legal in many states, so sparking a joint now we are reminded was once an illegal act, now commonplace. Also, his eyes running away, lit from above to accentuate the fear, remind me of Eugine Smith's famius pic 'Mad Eyes, Haiti' 1958. Smith a white American photographer photographed a black man in a state of madness. This haunted picture is by its very nature taken without informed consent & has become a key work of Smith's. 'Poverty porn' in art, on the news, tv, film, is rife & often used as a weapon to continue oppression & division.

The colonial white male gaze is also America – the dehumanising aspect of oppression is fully present here.
The Haiti image is sold at auction over & over, further monetising the depiction of suffering & prejudice of the white gaze looking down on black people. Although Smith's intentions were about informing others it's dramatic composition fuels colonial assumptions of its supremicy. I think a nod to deemed iconic images questions their relevance & procokes discussion. A very important video made at exactly the right time & needed now more than ever.

@jaziyahreacts4823

Am I the only one who didn’t know sza was in the music videos

@EmilSander-gr5zu

He is also mentioning Gorilla War with is take out of the war in Afghanistan

@pabasarawikum8409

Imagine this poppin up in English Literature Books After 100 years

@maxpatrickhaynes2194

Cool video. Just found it. I loved this song, AND video. Thx for the insights !

@be_al

So basically this video explores the racism endured by America and asks the white man to take accountablility for what has been and is going on?

@RikBooker

Still, one of the most powerful music videos I have ever seen. Amazing artist.

@Marlesden

I don't think the meanings are very hidden

They're there for the world to see, which is very topical.

America needs to be better, the world is watching

@Xyy2387

Those old cars at the end have a way deeper, more specific meaning.

#10

@Mrs.the.Creator

Yet he married the enemy. Fake

#11

@xskyex5320

I don't get any of this expaination. I took everything different. I grew up in the midwest and had friends of almost every race. As a white guy i feel like the way you all try to break it down is just straight up pandering and an attack on realistically any other race than white. I feel like this song was geared less on race and more towards the the way america is and the problems with the government. love this song a lot and listen to it frequently. would like to get derrickcomedy/donald glovers real opinion on the subject.

#12

@Tshirtguy2020

I think it’s a great video.Iconic, but I have a different interpretation of some of it. Probably different from Glover too. The cars in the video were initially American Cadillacs and “wants” but what they actually had were Japanese and cars to include the imported Chevy Geo. Today it would be dodge chargers and G35s. For me, the red cloth doesn’t mean “red” states, it’s like having blood on your hands in Chicago the gun violence is black on black. The black community has a low value for life also when you consider the gun violence. This could mean the black community has blood on their hands because the person that took the gun was black not white. I’m minstrel imagery is obvious specially with the first shot. For me, it demonstrates the violence and problems in a broken culture. The kids with the cell phones. Recording violence. Just like today, kids commit acts of violence, and instead of stopping their friends they record and laugh along. that’s what I got out of it so an indictment of America but, what America has become in certain cultures. I think the key is to stop blaming everyone else for issues and start fixing our issues. Fist stop the violence. Then maybe the broken homes, respect for yourself, and the people around you, and finally education and more importantly accountability. These are things that seem to be lacking. I wish someone did a video about that.

#13

@boisarecuteness

i cant take this video seriously

#14

@iratosch675

I think the running was symbolizing racism

#15

@cptoscar

Masterpiece!

#16

@implosivewaffle3758

Honestly. I’m surprised they didn’t mention the teen uniforms but maybe it’s common knowledge that those are Chicago Public School uniforms. Goddamn Kmart selling navy blue khakis for $90 because they were required.

#17

@BassBwoy3

That was SZA in this video?! Never knew that.

#18

@dinotoebean

-The 17 seconds of silence represented the 17 victims in the Parkland shooting
-the cars at the end represents how black people are more likely to get pulled over by the police or possibly killed (take note of the open front doors)
-the red cloth is also used when people are showing objects that are often prized or possessions and in this case, it’s a gun that’s a prize object
-The outfit that he’s wearing are from Confederate soldiers which makes him the “white man” in the video until he pulls out a hand gun (note that you can’t see his outfit anymore) which then turns him into a black man. The reason why people are running away from him when he has nothing in his hands.
-The little boy dancing on top of the car holding the money gun represents Tamir Rice
-The end where he’s running is him being a black man again with the police force chasing him just for smoking a joint. Note that when he was dancing on top of the car, he dashed away the joint, and started dancing, as if he’s a free white man again

#19

@fireandice6805

What about the Islam invasion from 911 to October 7th, your country is being taken over by Muslims and they dont like Africans. Study history please.

#20

@DFMoray

He’s got a great torso

#21

@vinnie8495

Yeshua Hacinda is the creator of the Earth and all Human beings.Yeshua Hacinda is in control of ALL human beings. Every human being is programmed to do what Yeshua Hacinda wants

#22

@Namadadi_iddi

25mil people and counting attended this literature lesson

#23

@paulleverton9569

Just finished watching 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith', which I did not have very high expectations for. Brilliant! I'm already googling for anything about a second season.
Donald Glover tends to leave issues unresolved and questions unanswered – see Toby Hellinger finally offering his confession, at the end of Episode 5 (which could explain why an army of special forces assassins have been trying to kill him from virtually the first minute of the episode).
Donald Glover is special. He could be one of the all time greats…?

#24

HERU