When you guys say that you’re enjoying the tune that’s exactly one of the reasons for this song. People are so distracted with videos of dance challenges or mainstream music or anything that has to do with social media but you don’t realize what is going on in the background in real life and in the video. You’re just focused on him dancing
Ok. Understandable. Or it could be just a stupid video. There has been plenty of dumb videos throughout history. Idk. Just throwin it out there. If the artist has to explain what they meant, then it would seem to be kinda pointless.
@@John_Redcorn_ your comment is dumb. Just because you didn’t understand it doesn’t mean the message is weak or stupid (the message in this video is pretty straightforward anyway when you watch it more than once), things can also be ambiguous and up to interpretation. Regardless, this video is pretty good since it did what it was trying to do but there are some pieces of art that are just convoluted and pretentious bs too
@@MM-jc7uv if something is ambiguous or up to interpretation then theres no real meaning: its whatever you want it to be. Thats fine if thats what you’re going for when you create it, but if there is a specfic idea or point you’re trying to make, ambiguity is the exact opposite approach.
"Guns in my area" and "I gotta carry them" are the most realest thing ever in America. As a kid growing up in the ghetto, that was something we didn't want to have but we needed.
There's a lot of social commentary based in American culture both past and present in the video. Much of it hidden in the background or in little expressions and movements. There are some very detailed videos that go into it.
This video/song is drenched in symbolism, and Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) is one of the most talented Americans alive right now. He's got his feet in everything from sitcom writing, music, acting, stand up comedy, and directing.
There are a great deal of social subtexts in this work that you gentlemen have simply never been exposed to, or had reason to research. It is essentially speaking in a language you've never heard before, and that's perfectly alright.
This video is so packed with symbolism it would take a 5000 word essay to detail everything. Most notably you missed everything happening in the background because you were distracted by the performance, which was the core message. You're shocked and stunned when there's a shooting, but then seconds later you've forgotten about it. Allegedly, the moment when he stopped to light a joint was supposed to include a school shooting scene. You'll notice the kids dancing around him stop and run. Because there had just been a school shooting in Florida in which 17 people were murdered he chose to cut the scene out of the video and replace it with a 17 second pause, one second for each of the victims. Everything about this video seems to have a meaning, even down to the trousers he's wearing. The guy is a true artist, creating something that's supposed to make you stop and think, and generate a response. I think he succeeded.
I'm sure someone has already told you but his dance moves, at least some were, based on the Jim crow Era, even the way he shot the guy playing the guitar at the start was the exact jim crow stance
I think he is telling us the simple fact that Americans are tied more closely to superficial things and avoid the dark realities of things that happen quite frequently and should affect them quite painfully, but because of the superficial things their brains zone out from the truth far too easily.
It's all about race and violence in America. It's about how everyone is so caught up in the fun entertainment happening in the foreground that we miss all the horrible shit happening in the background.
The music video did exactly what he wanted to demonstrate happens in america.. entertain you to distract you from the truth of what's really happening.
-He's dancing like that with the weird smiles because of how black performers were portrayed in Minstrel shows (which are racist and from early 20th century), and he's wearing the trousers of a Confederate soldier. -The song is upbeat and distracting at times, talking about having to carry a strap (gun) & the bragging about the things he has but it represents entertainment used to distract from the problems in the county particularly for black Americans. The school kids are dancing with him not noticing what's going on behind them. -The shooting in a black church happened. He places the gun on a pillow carefully before continuing. It shows how guns are treated with more respect than the lives. -You'll see a kid in a rafter using a phone to casually record the rioting. -I think the rider on the white horse might be Pestilence from the 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse, but why he's hooded I don't know. Might be a wrong interpretation but it certainly seems to be about plague. -The cars are empty at one point/people are missing. He smokes a joint and keeps dancing. There's a lot more symbolism. He's really a brilliant artist. This is one of those songs that requires the video to tell the whole story.
@@timmoose33 No, Death rode the pale horse. The white rider, widely referred to as Jesus himself rode the white horse. Although many people like yourself get this wrong, so it's possible that Gambino did too, as the figure on the horse in the video is very clearly the reaper, or Death. People think of white when they hear pale so it's an easy mistake, but pale in terms of the 4 horses is a dead looking horse, like greyish, bluish, greenish pale, like dead skin.
@@charismatic9467 all corralating with their roles in the book of revelations. Colors plays an important role in symbolism, same reason mary wears blue and so forth
@@stuartdubbs9605 Yeah agreed. Some scholars have said that the 4 horseman symbolize the 4 seasons. War riding the red horse for spring, as the gods of war like Ares/Mars in Greco-Roman times were always associated with the color red, and spring. The white rider, or Jesus riding the white horse, symbolizing summer light, life and the sun. Famine riding the black horse as fall, as that was the time when crops were harvested and could go south if it wasn't enough or was diseased. And lastly, Death riding the pale horse symbolizing winter, as this was the season where most people died back in the days before heat and electricity.
The slave catchers used to cover their heads and ride horses to chase down run away slaves also. It also has the look of someone who is about to be lynched with the head covered and hands bound.
The man playing the guitar with a bag tied over his head represents how America has always loved music from black people but we don't give them the credit for it
Black people in America get all there credit for the great music they make there is so many American made documentaries about black musicians...wtf more do you want
Hello to you on 20 Oct. '23.-----I hope that you know that even with the problems in America, that there are some places where it's worse, if you had to choose of living in America or in some mostly Islamic country, Which one?, regarding Racism from some Whites aimed at some Blacks, yes, there is that problem, however, there's also some Racism of some Blacks aimed at some Blacks, for anybody who thinks/says that America is a very racist country, then Why do so many people want to leave their homeland and live life in America?, some from various countries are somewhat of dark skin (like some people from India/Mexico and elsewheres, that could be mistaken as Blacks?).-----Something that I (as a mostly White with some Cherokee on my father's side) find ironic is some Black Americans are Democratic and say that America is racist to the core.
Tbh not being aware and understanding these kind of things isn’t a good thing. It just means there are too many people living in blissful ignorance instead of facing reality
@@LaserWombat Since the church scene was inspired by the Charleston shooting I'll assume you're saying that that shooting never happened. Is there a conspiracy theory tied to this notion?
@@LaserWombat It's definitely widely considered the basis for that scene. Of course he isn't going to recreate it with exacts. It's not a big leap to make though to consider it the inspiration for lack of a better term.
@@anthonyskallet7907 And the guy with the guitar at the beginning was widely thought to be Trayvon Martin's dad with almost basis. A lot of really dumb people put their ideas out there and they stick. The church scene most likely refers to the loss of faith in black communities and the move towards quick gratification and criminal exaltation. This is reinforced as he's first into the gospel music and then quickly grows bored with it and as he's done shooting he passes a cop car.
It’s about the chaos in the background. That while people are distracted by exactly that, the fun and all that but people are killing each other, kids are going through chaos, shootings everywhere. Behind the glamour is a lot of garbage.
Church scenes really happened, a white man named Dylan walked into a predominantly black church and did a killing spree. Cops took him to get food after and etc
Emanuel Kidega Samson did shoot up a white church with the intention to kill white churchgoers, in response to the Charleston massacre. That is horrible. Mytrez did not. He was running from the police and broke into a church to hide or get warm and was discovered by the pastor and his wife. He shot them to get away. It is absolutely tragic, but it was neither a mass killing or a hate crime. They just happened to be in a church.
@@Thesekidstookmychannel “In 2015, 21-year-old Dylann Roof murdered nine Black people during Bible study at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. Roof, a white supremacist, prayed with the church members in the basement of the historically Black church before killing them. He shouted hate-filled speech and told them he had to kill them because they were Black. When police caught up he was armed with a .45-caliber Glock pistol, a semiautomatic handgun. While in police custody, he was given something to eat, a hamburger bought from Burger King.” Thankfully 3 victims survived and he’s on death row🙏🏽
Almost every thing in this video is symbolic, including everything going on in the background, the peoples' outfits, the props, etc. The song and video only become more and more powerful with every watch and listen.
Y’all need to redo this reaction. Especially the church choir. Referencing the massacre at Old Emanuel (Charleston, SC) an absolutely tragedy. A white man killed black parishioners as they prayed for him and held his hand. The pastor’s 5 y/o daughter hid with her mother in the Church office as her father was executed. Devastating and another pivotal point in the movement for racial equality in America.
Ok and isn’t it interesting that a confessed racist black man mowed down about 10 people in Wisconsin with his SUV and the media like the caniving hypocrites they are managed to bury a story like that…..if you think I’m being dramatic just look it up, the facts are there as plain as day. My point being do you honestly think that everything you’ve been told hasn’t been biased and the media especially has so much power in this racial divide/tension you believe they are looking out for you or anyone best interest? That’s why the race talk in America won’t ever progress because it’s almost become a topic you won’t even hear a white person talk on unless it’s whitey bad they will get fired or publicly outed as “racist” no matter if what they are saying is 100% factual, isn’t that scary for both races and the well being of America in general to have that outlook?
@@genenebatiste5767 They aren't American. I think a lot of Americans like you guys expect that everyone should know American culture meanwhile you haven't taken a second to consider the rest of the world. THATS why you said the amnesia line, because you didn't take the time to think maybe the rest of the world doesn't revolve around you, while expecting it to.
@@GradietPanda12345 They psychologically can't. Because they will see countries with weapons bans or registration and mental valuation requirements, and surprise NO MASS SHOOTINGS. So the theory that they are throwing that if guns are banned only bad guys will have them, is retarded.
I am loving the comments filling in the huge culture gap between UK and US. This is very deep and F'ing infuriatingly accurate telling of a broken america, never able to rise above racial issues tainting everything here, politics, news, life.
Dave nailed it pretty much with his breakdown of what people see vs. the real issues that are covered up. Several of the dance moves were actually African dances.
Yeah this definitely isn't a video you see once and move past. You have to know the issues that permeate American culture, specifically black American culture. It would benefit you (& your channel) to look at a video breakdown of it.
This is a brilliant song/music video/concept. It still stands to this day. I still get shivers every time I listen to it, and I'm not even american. It's packed full of symbols!
Well on a positive note, It at least tells me they don't watch the news 24/7. Granted I don't believe you should base ANY country the news your own country decides to broadcast. Vast majority of news that other countries show is simply "click bate" material and if you never visit that country you're only perception is "it's bad". I suppose I have a different perspective. I've lived in Europe, up and down the East coast and visted a bunch of places....you're more likely to not see any of this happen in your day to day life
The visuals represent the distractions that are in front of us Americans, while in the background there's chaos, and the abrupt changes in the song from light-hearted singing and dancing to people getting shot paired with the change in the beat plus the lyric "don't catch you slippin'" is a reminder that shootings are usually right around the corner in America and are getting more and more frequent. Also, the guns are gently placed on those velvet cloths after they're shot, representing the way many Americans seem to think of guns, kind of treating them as if they're more precious than human life. The song especially seems to target black Americans with it's message, particularly the ones making money by entertaining, reminding them that much of their perceived value in America is only based on how entertaining they are, and that white America can turn on them in a second once that entertainment value has diminished.
Seeing how guns prevent and save what is to be believe into the hundreds of thousands to millions of crimes and lives, sadly yes guns are more precious than the unfortunate 4,000 to 7,000 human lives taken each year by a firearm, most of which are criminals.
History, the mass murder at the church, the wagging of the dog of issues by social media and the latest dance moves, recording a crime rather than calling the police, the white horse of the apocalypse, capitalism with the old cars from the 80s and 90s. The "dance" and wink he was a nod to a racist black stereotype post Civil War created by pro-segregationists. His running in sheer terror is parallel to the movie 'Get Out' when the Black character becomes hunted. I'd love to get your responses after you understand the symbolism. My friends and I read many articles and watched interviews and this work still remains as jarring and even more important than day one
All the dancing and the funny faces are meant to distract from everything else that’s happening in the video, behind and around him. This video could be analysed for years to come in schools
@@John_Redcorn_ sorry I didn’t know kids only learnt one thing at school🙄 this video would give them cultural lessons, on society and history - how to read context into some art, this video is more than just dancing. I would also encourage my kids to watch Oversimplified and History of the Entire World videos to try and get them interested in history, before they could explore the subjects more
America doesn’t accept racism considering how long it’s been taboo😂 and violence isn’t part of the culture, 99.9999% of Americans don’t shoot yo churches
I like the channel but they completely missed the point of the video and bought into all the flashy dance moves instead of looking at the background of what was happening behind them. I don't remember much so going on memory but the guitar guy death was based on the Jim Crow character from Disney, which was a racist portrayal of black people back then. The church singers getting machine gunned was a reference to a real life murderer called Dylan Roofe who went into a church meeting at night and sat with them, then left, came back with an AK and killed I think all of them. Other cool touches most people miss was the guy falling off the rail onto a car, and someone dressed in black riding a white horse past. Oh and every gun used is then taken away in a cloth to keep it safe, meanwhile dead bodies are just dragged along the floor, referring to how guns are treated with more respect than actual people over there supposedly Again forgot another, when the people run off and he's aiming with his hand, was a reference to a specific school shooting and every second was for each victim killed or something
I think they got the general premise, but finer details are going to escape people on their first watch regardless. Also, although there are many universal concepts (media, racism, gun violence, police brutality, minstrels/racial propaganda) in this video, it is mainly rooted in and through the lens of American culture. They could either be ignorant to very specific symbolism used related to American history and/or they don't want to openly criticize a country they aren't too familiar with/don't fully understand the issues there--if that makes sense. Like I have a general idea of sexism in Middle East countries, BUT I wouldn't openly comment on specific shortcomings of this online to an international audience when I do not know specific details, haven't lived there to really know the issues, and may come off as ignorant/offensive. Kind of better to vaguely gesture, as they do. They should definitely watch the breakdown though, and I get your point.
Even though I'm not into this type of music I still think it's one of the most effective music videos in recent years. This stuff really does happen in the U.S. it ain't that pretty as the media likes to paint it.
ah man this will be interesting. havent watched yet but i already know you guys will miss tons of hidden messages just like i did. this video is packed full of easter eggs and things to look out for
The song is a message for how messed up America is and how easily people get distracted to realize. If you rewatch the video and focus on the background it'll become more clear.
This song gives me chills every time I listen to it because of all the symbolism. Y'all really have to watch a video analysing it so y'all can truly understand what it's about
You all should do another video reacting to an explanation of this video. There are a lot of cultural nuggets that you probably won't get without an explanation.
Every time you ever get caught off guard with the church shooting or the guy getting shot well.. you let your guard down in America always expect the worse "This is america, don't catch you slippin now" And the moment he went silent it was for 17 seconds for the 17 parkland shooting victims
also living in europe rn, we have our problems obviously, but it takes us actively looking up each meaning of the song. actually makes us go “THAT IS AMERICA!?”
@@imme6954 blessed... you have no health care. Your people are starving. You don't have clean drinking water. A false hood preached in the religion let's the government override your human rights. From birth you're made to believe America is the greatest country you even put yourselves in the middle of the worlds map! American isn't even the most 'free' country
@@Molly.Wobbles I mean we aren’t forced to buy healthcare We get no say in but I have health care😂 and I have clean drinking water, and I’m not religious so I don’t know what bs u taking about, and name something an other country can do that I can’t, because I can name several that I can do that other people in other countries can’t. And who tf is starving, I thought we were all obese 😂 u just made yourself look like an idiot
@@projectc.j.j3310 oh I forgot you represent everyone in America 😂 how entitled do you have to be to think because it doesn't effect you then everything is fine. You sir are entitled and stupid.
@@Molly.Wobbles ok people in every country are going through things.... apparently to u that means every country is trash😂 your logic is idiotic and your just embarrassing yourself
You guys should do a video update where you guys go into the symbolism and what the video really means. I would like to know how the new knowledge changes the way you see the video, and I’d like to hear what you guys have to say then.
Yo dis song got Hidden features Kanye west quavo 21 savage young bloc are in this song 😂and more that’s crazy after hearing dis song 1000x never noticed it rip 😂 they did Adlibs towards the end of the song
The whole purpose of the song and a music video is to show how people can be talking about real life things going on in reality but nobody's paying. Attention because instead you're so focused longline the dances that people are doing someone can say A. Love one died in all your focusing on. Is the things going on in the video which is exactly what you guys? Did you proved this point in the song? Yeah. Hes dancing but everything and hes doing and that hes talking about is a literally about all domestic stuff that goes in on an American all the things. That black people say and how? Nobody pays attention to it because you get distracted by dense challenges you get distracted by well. The kardashians just broke up with this person people get to shut the very easily due to media influences and the government trying to hide things and that's. A little point for that he was making through the song. You guys should probably watch a breakdown explaining the entire music video.
I think if you don’t know the contextualising events. Jim Crow, confederate garments, Baptist church shootings etc. then you won’t get it. Think as British people with it not being our culture it is harder to get. The care with which they treat the guns compared to the people they’re murdering and the little reaction to shootings compared to when he made a gun gesture with his hand and started smoking weed shows how messed up the priorities of some people are
Ok, I'm a black woman from Chicago, IL and I have never seen that video before. One of the reasons I've never seen it before is because for some reason Donald Glover weirds me out. I get the concept of the video but I still find it disturbing.
This video is a commentary on what the US is/has become *THIS* is America, mass shootings, rioting, destruction, and most of us just looking the other way, being distracted by the horrid things that are happening around us. It also touches on the centuries of discrimination towards African Americans and how even today, either subtly or incredibly blatant, it still occurs. It's a masterclass at what it's trying to portray 👌
I knew from jump st that you guys would not get this song at all. But got what the song really means. You guys missed everything that was going on cuz all you cared about was the beat and dancing.
When I first watched the video I was distracted by the video and the dancing which was obviously the point of the video but once I watched it again I understood and saw the themes it was portraying. Although a lot of people here have explained the video, I agree with the other comments that recommend you to watch a breakdown video that explains it all in detail!
When you guys say that you’re enjoying the tune that’s exactly one of the reasons for this song. People are so distracted with videos of dance challenges or mainstream music or anything that has to do with social media but you don’t realize what is going on in the background in real life and in the video. You’re just focused on him dancing
Exactly 👍Shows how POWERFUL the deception is....the Matrix is REAL....they were caught in it and it is hard not to
They have to react to a breakdown of the video to really understand it.
Ok. Understandable. Or it could be just a stupid video. There has been plenty of dumb videos throughout history. Idk. Just throwin it out there. If the artist has to explain what they meant, then it would seem to be kinda pointless.
@@John_Redcorn_ your comment is dumb. Just because you didn’t understand it doesn’t mean the message is weak or stupid (the message in this video is pretty straightforward anyway when you watch it more than once), things can also be ambiguous and up to interpretation. Regardless, this video is pretty good since it did what it was trying to do but there are some pieces of art that are just convoluted and pretentious bs too
@@MM-jc7uv if something is ambiguous or up to interpretation then theres no real meaning: its whatever you want it to be. Thats fine if thats what you’re going for when you create it, but if there is a specfic idea or point you’re trying to make, ambiguity is the exact opposite approach.
"Guns in my area" and "I gotta carry them" are the most realest thing ever in America. As a kid growing up in the ghetto, that was something we didn't want to have but we needed.
You guys should watch the breakdown of this video so you can see all the elements shown and why certain things are done.
There's a lot of social commentary based in American culture both past and present in the video. Much of it hidden in the background or in little expressions and movements. There are some very detailed videos that go into it.
The two on the left are bobbing their heads to same mesmerized 😂
When he shot the choir it was a reference to a man who shot up a Church in Charleston, South Carolina
Perfectly sums up America
This video/song is drenched in symbolism, and Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) is one of the most talented Americans alive right now. He's got his feet in everything from sitcom writing, music, acting, stand up comedy, and directing.
POP POP
There are a great deal of social subtexts in this work that you gentlemen have simply never been exposed to, or had reason to research.
It is essentially speaking in a language you've never heard before, and that's perfectly alright.
Definitely not in the “America....F@€k yeah!” genre 🇺🇸🤣 Great reaction, thanks Blokes 🤙🏼
Closer to "America.... Fuck."
@@mfree80286 👍🏼😅
This video is so packed with symbolism it would take a 5000 word essay to detail everything. Most notably you missed everything happening in the background because you were distracted by the performance, which was the core message. You're shocked and stunned when there's a shooting, but then seconds later you've forgotten about it. Allegedly, the moment when he stopped to light a joint was supposed to include a school shooting scene. You'll notice the kids dancing around him stop and run. Because there had just been a school shooting in Florida in which 17 people were murdered he chose to cut the scene out of the video and replace it with a 17 second pause, one second for each of the victims. Everything about this video seems to have a meaning, even down to the trousers he's wearing. The guy is a true artist, creating something that's supposed to make you stop and think, and generate a response. I think he succeeded.
Just came across this channel and I like it! I feel like the man in the middle wanted to start dancing so bad I feel like 😂
Right when you said "I was enjoying it, then he sprayed everyone with bullets" that's the point. Right when you love it, theres a tragedy.
This was the most important piece of (US) social activism of 2018.
I'm sure someone has already told you but his dance moves, at least some were, based on the Jim crow Era, even the way he shot the guy playing the guitar at the start was the exact jim crow stance
His dancing and lyrics were supposed to distract you from what was happening in the background
Gentlemen, the story is "this IS America."
Please react to the breakdown of the video because the meaning behind it is crazy
Recommending: Lonely Island - Spring break anthem.
For purely musical reasons, watch or listen to his funk-related album Awaken My Love. Redbone is a GREAT song.
Shootings in America; that's the story.
When he shot the choir he was copying the Charleston Shooter who shot up a church.
I think he is telling us the simple fact that Americans are tied more closely to superficial things and avoid the dark realities of things that happen quite frequently and should affect them quite painfully, but because of the superficial things their brains zone out from the truth far too easily.
The choir is representing the murdered Charleston 9
To understand this is america u need to watch it like 5 times it's part what he's saying and part Whats actually going on... witch Is the beauty
2021. Reaction channel. Men who didn't see This Is America. I'm out.
I guess the Blue state indoctrinated version of Americas 😂
The grey men Netflix's
I would love to see you guys react to “Leave The Door Open” by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak
This is Caveman! Me like you.
It's all about race and violence in America. It's about how everyone is so caught up in the fun entertainment happening in the foreground that we miss all the horrible shit happening in the background.
The music video did exactly what he wanted to demonstrate happens in america.. entertain you to distract you from the truth of what's really happening.
god damn
Yeah, it takes real effort to watch the background instead of the dancing.
Facts
Someone has since
Didn't he say, he never comment on what he wanted the audience to get from it...I think he said it was our interpretation he wants.
-He's dancing like that with the weird smiles because of how black performers were portrayed in Minstrel shows (which are racist and from early 20th century), and he's wearing the trousers of a Confederate soldier.
-The song is upbeat and distracting at times, talking about having to carry a strap (gun) & the bragging about the things he has but it represents entertainment used to distract from the problems in the county particularly for black Americans. The school kids are dancing with him not noticing what's going on behind them.
-The shooting in a black church happened. He places the gun on a pillow carefully before continuing. It shows how guns are treated with more respect than the lives.
-You'll see a kid in a rafter using a phone to casually record the rioting.
-I think the rider on the white horse might be Pestilence from the 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse, but why he's hooded I don't know. Might be a wrong interpretation but it certainly seems to be about plague.
-The cars are empty at one point/people are missing. He smokes a joint and keeps dancing.
There's a lot more symbolism. He's really a brilliant artist. This is one of those songs that requires the video to tell the whole story.
Close about the apocalypse one, but death rode the white horse
@@timmoose33 No, Death rode the pale horse. The white rider, widely referred to as Jesus himself rode the white horse. Although many people like yourself get this wrong, so it's possible that Gambino did too, as the figure on the horse in the video is very clearly the reaper, or Death. People think of white when they hear pale so it's an easy mistake, but pale in terms of the 4 horses is a dead looking horse, like greyish, bluish, greenish pale, like dead skin.
@@charismatic9467 all corralating with their roles in the book of revelations. Colors plays an important role in symbolism, same reason mary wears blue and so forth
@@stuartdubbs9605 Yeah agreed. Some scholars have said that the 4 horseman symbolize the 4 seasons. War riding the red horse for spring, as the gods of war like Ares/Mars in Greco-Roman times were always associated with the color red, and spring. The white rider, or Jesus riding the white horse, symbolizing summer light, life and the sun. Famine riding the black horse as fall, as that was the time when crops were harvested and could go south if it wasn't enough or was diseased. And lastly, Death riding the pale horse symbolizing winter, as this was the season where most people died back in the days before heat and electricity.
The slave catchers used to cover their heads and ride horses to chase down run away slaves also. It also has the look of someone who is about to be lynched with the head covered and hands bound.
You should react to a full breakdown of the song and you will understand every aspect of the video and song👍🏾👍🏾
I second this.
Theres a good one from the Insider channel
Please.
Yes do the breakdown
Agreed.
The man playing the guitar with a bag tied over his head represents how America has always loved music from black people but we don't give them the credit for it
He is also Trayvon Martin's uncle so it goes deeper than that.
@@blitzofchaosgaming6737 was he really or someone to look like him I never could come to that conclusion either way the message is the same
@@Computerlegacy It was in the video credits.
That actually trayvon Martin's dad.
Black people in America get all there credit for the great music they make there is so many American made documentaries about black musicians...wtf more do you want
We've had a lot of mass shootings in churches in America. Some race related. Everything has a meaning.
There have been few, but obviously the Charleston one was devastating.
I live there and it was all over the news
Now there’s even more with the white man shooting black people at a supermarket and the school shooting lorddd it’s getting worse
Most race related
"I'm not gettin it yet."
Come to America. You'll get it.
Coming to America won't do a thing lol. He would have to live here to experience this.
It’s kind of eye opening that other nations don’t understand what’s going on in this video! Gives me hope that there’s better places out there!
I'm so glad u wrote that! This video leaves me feeling so unsettled but if ur not an American it doesn't land the same way 💯
Hello to you on 20 Oct. '23.-----I hope that you know that even with the problems in America, that there are some places where it's worse, if you had to choose of living in America or in some mostly Islamic country, Which one?, regarding Racism from some Whites aimed at some Blacks, yes, there is that problem, however, there's also some Racism of some Blacks aimed at some Blacks, for anybody who thinks/says that America is a very racist country, then Why do so many people want to leave their homeland and live life in America?, some from various countries are somewhat of dark skin (like some people from India/Mexico and elsewheres, that could be mistaken as Blacks?).-----Something that I (as a mostly White with some Cherokee on my father's side) find ironic is some Black Americans are Democratic and say that America is racist to the core.
@@jamesnixon5166dude, you are so ill-informed and everything u said is a non sequitur.
Tbh not being aware and understanding these kind of things isn’t a good thing. It just means there are too many people living in blissful ignorance instead of facing reality
I won't lie while is entertainment it still brought a couple of tears to my eyes people other nations thinks it's sweet but it's not
The church shooting scene actually happened.
No it didn't....
@@LaserWombat Since the church scene was inspired by the Charleston shooting I'll assume you're saying that that shooting never happened. Is there a conspiracy theory tied to this notion?
@@VincentK4858 It bears no similarity to the Charleston church shooting. Absolutely none.
@@LaserWombat It's definitely widely considered the basis for that scene. Of course he isn't going to recreate it with exacts. It's not a big leap to make though to consider it the inspiration for lack of a better term.
@@anthonyskallet7907 And the guy with the guitar at the beginning was widely thought to be Trayvon Martin's dad with almost basis. A lot of really dumb people put their ideas out there and they stick.
The church scene most likely refers to the loss of faith in black communities and the move towards quick gratification and criminal exaltation. This is reinforced as he's first into the gospel music and then quickly grows bored with it and as he's done shooting he passes a cop car.
It’s about the chaos in the background. That while people are distracted by exactly that, the fun and all that but people are killing each other, kids are going through chaos, shootings everywhere. Behind the glamour is a lot of garbage.
If you didn't get the story, consider yourself privileged. And I don't mean this as an insult.
Church scenes really happened, a white man named Dylan walked into a predominantly black church and did a killing spree. Cops took him to get food after and etc
Emanuel Kidega Samson did shoot up a white church with the intention to kill white churchgoers, in response to the Charleston massacre. That is horrible. Mytrez did not. He was running from the police and broke into a church to hide or get warm and was discovered by the pastor and his wife. He shot them to get away. It is absolutely tragic, but it was neither a mass killing or a hate crime. They just happened to be in a church.
I’m late but WHAT?? Took him to get food??!!!
@@Thesekidstookmychannel “In 2015, 21-year-old Dylann Roof murdered nine Black people during Bible study at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. Roof, a white supremacist, prayed with the church members in the basement of the historically Black church before killing them. He shouted hate-filled speech and told them he had to kill them because they were Black.
When police caught up he was armed with a .45-caliber Glock pistol, a semiautomatic handgun. While in police custody, he was given something to eat, a hamburger bought from Burger King.”
Thankfully 3 victims survived and he’s on death row🙏🏽
@Thesekidstookmychannel Dylann roof. They got him burger king because he was hungry after murdering people.
Almost every thing in this video is symbolic, including everything going on in the background, the peoples' outfits, the props, etc. The song and video only become more and more powerful with every watch and listen.
It’s definitely a video that needs to be rewatched, where you focus on the different aspects. Like just watch what’s going on in the background.
Y’all need to redo this reaction. Especially the church choir. Referencing the massacre at Old Emanuel (Charleston, SC) an absolutely tragedy. A white man killed black parishioners as they prayed for him and held his hand. The pastor’s 5 y/o daughter hid with her mother in the Church office as her father was executed. Devastating and another pivotal point in the movement for racial equality in America.
Correct… When it’s stuff like this they act like they got amnesia!
Ok and isn’t it interesting that a confessed racist black man mowed down about 10 people in Wisconsin with his SUV and the media like the caniving hypocrites they are managed to bury a story like that…..if you think I’m being dramatic just look it up, the facts are there as plain as day. My point being do you honestly think that everything you’ve been told hasn’t been biased and the media especially has so much power in this racial divide/tension you believe they are looking out for you or anyone best interest? That’s why the race talk in America won’t ever progress because it’s almost become a topic you won’t even hear a white person talk on unless it’s whitey bad they will get fired or publicly outed as “racist” no matter if what they are saying is 100% factual, isn’t that scary for both races and the well being of America in general to have that outlook?
@@genenebatiste5767 They aren't American. I think a lot of Americans like you guys expect that everyone should know American culture meanwhile you haven't taken a second to consider the rest of the world. THATS why you said the amnesia line, because you didn't take the time to think maybe the rest of the world doesn't revolve around you, while expecting it to.
@@genenebatiste5767 Americans need to outgrow their little bubbles. The rest of the world isn’t like this lol
@@GradietPanda12345 They psychologically can't. Because they will see countries with weapons bans or registration and mental valuation requirements, and surprise NO MASS SHOOTINGS. So the theory that they are throwing that if guns are banned only bad guys will have them, is retarded.
Is hard for foreigners to understand these type of videos. Unless they have knowledge of things going on in the U.S.
This should be titled “Office Blokes Try Opening a Can of Worms For the First Time”
Lmao
ikr
🤣🤣🤣
I am loving the comments filling in the huge culture gap between UK and US. This is very deep and F'ing infuriatingly accurate telling of a broken america, never able to rise above racial issues tainting everything here, politics, news, life.
It's interesting how a lot of this isn't obvious to people not in the US. It really makes me realize how much is normalized here that isn't elsewhere.
The video is absolutely brimming with subliminals and symbolism. You will have to watch a breakdown
Dave nailed it pretty much with his breakdown of what people see vs. the real issues that are covered up. Several of the dance moves were actually African dances.
Yeah this definitely isn't a video you see once and move past. You have to know the issues that permeate American culture, specifically black American culture. It would benefit you (& your channel) to look at a video breakdown of it.
The background things going on are very important in this video
Wondering if you guys realize that’s Donald Glover, the young comedian you guys praised in an earlier video.
This is a brilliant song/music video/concept. It still stands to this day. I still get shivers every time I listen to it, and I'm not even american. It's packed full of symbols!
There's alot to dissect in this video and watching one time won't do it.
Nah, once is more than enough..It's crap ! It's for idiots !
@@michaelb.3982 ok bud💀
@@0piumaeternum ok bud.. I can do that too !
what's your point ?
@@michaelb.3982 Are you often this shallow, or just suffering a drought?
@@mfree80286 you seem pretty shallow yourself...what makes you the smart one ?
I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach the first time I saw this. With all due respect boys, you've completely missed the plot on this.
Well on a positive note, It at least tells me they don't watch the news 24/7. Granted I don't believe you should base ANY country the news your own country decides to broadcast. Vast majority of news that other countries show is simply "click bate" material and if you never visit that country you're only perception is "it's bad".
I suppose I have a different perspective. I've lived in Europe, up and down the East coast and visted a bunch of places....you're more likely to not see any of this happen in your day to day life
How so ?
The message is so deep that it makes me flinch. The imagery, the phrases, the scenes. It’s so sad and true.
@@Rhov9 It's not deep...It's far from deep !
If they completely missed the plot it might be more credible if you expressed how they missed it.
The visuals represent the distractions that are in front of us Americans, while in the background there's chaos, and the abrupt changes in the song from light-hearted singing and dancing to people getting shot paired with the change in the beat plus the lyric "don't catch you slippin'" is a reminder that shootings are usually right around the corner in America and are getting more and more frequent. Also, the guns are gently placed on those velvet cloths after they're shot, representing the way many Americans seem to think of guns, kind of treating them as if they're more precious than human life. The song especially seems to target black Americans with it's message, particularly the ones making money by entertaining, reminding them that much of their perceived value in America is only based on how entertaining they are, and that white America can turn on them in a second once that entertainment value has diminished.
Racist.
Seeing how guns prevent and save what is to be believe into the hundreds of thousands to millions of crimes and lives, sadly yes guns are more precious than the unfortunate 4,000 to 7,000 human lives taken each year by a firearm, most of which are criminals.
What's the solution?
Please take into account America, culture, mentality, demographics, existing guns, our history, etc.
@@Kirinketsu_ Found two racists!
@@Kirinketsu_ Actually most deaths via firearm are suicides. Not criminals.
You guys should react to I'm not racist by Joyner Lucas
100000%
I’m gonna go watch it again it’s been a while lol
It's coming out tomorrow 👍
@MOMO I am just here for that purple hyacinth 😉
This is the most accurate and deepest pieces of symbolism ever put together. This is the 1st time time I've seen anyone laugh or say they enjoyed it.
History, the mass murder at the church, the wagging of the dog of issues by social media and the latest dance moves, recording a crime rather than calling the police, the white horse of the apocalypse, capitalism with the old cars from the 80s and 90s. The "dance" and wink he was a nod to a racist black stereotype post Civil War created by pro-segregationists. His running in sheer terror is parallel to the movie 'Get Out' when the Black character becomes hunted. I'd love to get your responses after you understand the symbolism. My friends and I read many articles and watched interviews and this work still remains as jarring and even more important than day one
so many important messages in the music video. it's a work of art.
With all due respect.. I don't think you guys fully got the message of this song/video.
Everything from the dancing to the dressing has meaning in it
All the dancing and the funny faces are meant to distract from everything else that’s happening in the video, behind and around him. This video could be analysed for years to come in schools
I wouldnt waste brain cells on that. Kids would be much better served tryin to learn stuff like, idk, maybe math, science, history, etc. 🤷♂️
@@John_Redcorn_ sorry I didn’t know kids only learnt one thing at school🙄 this video would give them cultural lessons, on society and history - how to read context into some art, this video is more than just dancing. I would also encourage my kids to watch Oversimplified and History of the Entire World videos to try and get them interested in history, before they could explore the subjects more
Definitely right on with the "this is what some people think it is like, but this is what it's really like" observation
"This is America" is about America's acceptance of racism and violence as part of its culture.
This is the most succinct way of putting it. Nice!
America doesn’t accept racism considering how long it’s been taboo😂 and violence isn’t part of the culture, 99.9999% of Americans don’t shoot yo churches
@@projectc.j.j3310 but mass shootings are soo common and thats a problem. Its the in denial of having a mass shooting problem.
I like the channel but they completely missed the point of the video and bought into all the flashy dance moves instead of looking at the background of what was happening behind them. I don't remember much so going on memory but the guitar guy death was based on the Jim Crow character from Disney, which was a racist portrayal of black people back then. The church singers getting machine gunned was a reference to a real life murderer called Dylan Roofe who went into a church meeting at night and sat with them, then left, came back with an AK and killed I think all of them. Other cool touches most people miss was the guy falling off the rail onto a car, and someone dressed in black riding a white horse past.
Oh and every gun used is then taken away in a cloth to keep it safe, meanwhile dead bodies are just dragged along the floor, referring to how guns are treated with more respect than actual people over there supposedly
Again forgot another, when the people run off and he's aiming with his hand, was a reference to a specific school shooting and every second was for each victim killed or something
I think they got the general premise, but finer details are going to escape people on their first watch regardless. Also, although there are many universal concepts (media, racism, gun violence, police brutality, minstrels/racial propaganda) in this video, it is mainly rooted in and through the lens of American culture. They could either be ignorant to very specific symbolism used related to American history and/or they don't want to openly criticize a country they aren't too familiar with/don't fully understand the issues there--if that makes sense.
Like I have a general idea of sexism in Middle East countries, BUT I wouldn't openly comment on specific shortcomings of this online to an international audience when I do not know specific details, haven't lived there to really know the issues, and may come off as ignorant/offensive. Kind of better to vaguely gesture, as they do.
They should definitely watch the breakdown though, and I get your point.
Even though I'm not into this type of music I still think it's one of the most effective music videos in recent years. This stuff really does happen in the U.S. it ain't that pretty as the media likes to paint it.
ah man this will be interesting. havent watched yet but i already know you guys will miss tons of hidden messages just like i did. this video is packed full of easter eggs and things to look out for
The choir can represent the Charleston 9 who were murdered...
Or they could represent the 5 white Texas cops killed and 9 injured by Micah Xavier Johnson in 2016, who simply wanted to kill white ppl.
@@davejones5747 Nah I don’t think police officers are a church choir
The song is a message for how messed up America is and how easily people get distracted to realize. If you rewatch the video and focus on the background it'll become more clear.
You should really watch a breakdown of this masterpiece! Then you'll understand the message by Childish Gambino.
The video is full of small details that represent americas problems
It's an American thing. Wouldn't get them to understand
2 countries other than the us that have freedom of arms
This was another no hesitation click.
This song gives me chills every time I listen to it because of all the symbolism. Y'all really have to watch a video analysing it so y'all can truly understand what it's about
This song traps every reactor I've seen watch it. You prove its point, basically.
There are videos that explain everything. It's a very symbolic video.
It's about gun violence in America.
Y’all gotta do more key & peele keep it light to balance out everything else
Plenty more on the way 👍
I can’t wait for more Key & Peele 👏
@@OfficeBlokes Now. Can y’all please please please react to “This is America 2”. I promise you y’all are going to love it.
Definitely watch a video the breaks down this music video
You all should do another video reacting to an explanation of this video. There are a lot of cultural nuggets that you probably won't get without an explanation.
Every time you ever get caught off guard with the church shooting or the guy getting shot well.. you let your guard down in America always expect the worse
"This is america, don't catch you slippin now"
And the moment he went silent it was for 17 seconds for the 17 parkland shooting victims
The rider on the horse symbolizes the end of the earth. It references the Bible.
Such a striking music video, I remember when it came out while we were living under the trump presidency here.
also living in europe rn, we have our problems obviously, but it takes us actively looking up each meaning of the song. actually makes us go “THAT IS AMERICA!?”
A lot of problems in America stem from racist white people.
@@MalikethTheBlackBlade1Americans
They call America a third world country with a gucci belt.
Because we, as Americans are so blessed we use our privilege to complain instead of being grateful and looking for the positives.
@@imme6954 blessed... you have no health care. Your people are starving. You don't have clean drinking water. A false hood preached in the religion let's the government override your human rights. From birth you're made to believe America is the greatest country you even put yourselves in the middle of the worlds map!
American isn't even the most 'free' country
@@Molly.Wobbles I mean we aren’t forced to buy healthcare We get no say in but I have health care😂 and I have clean drinking water, and I’m not religious so I don’t know what bs u taking about, and name something an other country can do that I can’t, because I can name several that I can do that other people in other countries can’t. And who tf is starving, I thought we were all obese 😂 u just made yourself look like an idiot
@@projectc.j.j3310 oh I forgot you represent everyone in America 😂 how entitled do you have to be to think because it doesn't effect you then everything is fine. You sir are entitled and stupid.
@@Molly.Wobbles ok people in every country are going through things.... apparently to u that means every country is trash😂 your logic is idiotic and your just embarrassing yourself
I’ve personally seen him perform this live and it was incredible! So dramatic
You guys should do a video update where you guys go into the symbolism and what the video really means. I would like to know how the new knowledge changes the way you see the video, and I’d like to hear what you guys have to say then.
This is Donald glover the comedian you reacted to
Yo dis song got Hidden features Kanye west quavo 21 savage young bloc are in this song 😂and more that’s crazy after hearing dis song 1000x never noticed it rip 😂 they did Adlibs towards the end of the song
Hidden Meanings Behind Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' Video Explained - TH-cam
The whole purpose of the song and a music video is to show how people can be talking about real life things going on in reality but nobody's paying. Attention because instead you're so focused longline the dances that people are doing someone can say A. Love one died in all your focusing on. Is the things going on in the video which is exactly what you guys? Did you proved this point in the song? Yeah. Hes dancing but everything and hes doing and that hes talking about is a literally about all domestic stuff that goes in on an American all the things. That black people say and how? Nobody pays attention to it because you get distracted by dense challenges you get distracted by well. The kardashians just broke up with this person people get to shut the very easily due to media influences and the government trying to hide things and that's. A little point for that he was making through the song. You guys should probably watch a breakdown explaining the entire music video.
I have the impression that it's only Americans who don't know what's going on at home, or it's just pure hypocrisy like everyone else.
I think if you don’t know the contextualising events. Jim Crow, confederate garments, Baptist church shootings etc. then you won’t get it. Think as British people with it not being our culture it is harder to get. The care with which they treat the guns compared to the people they’re murdering and the little reaction to shootings compared to when he made a gun gesture with his hand and started smoking weed shows how messed up the priorities of some people are
Ok, I'm a black woman from Chicago, IL and I have never seen that video before. One of the reasons I've never seen it before is because for some reason Donald Glover weirds me out. I get the concept of the video but I still find it disturbing.
This video is a commentary on what the US is/has become
*THIS* is America, mass shootings, rioting, destruction, and most of us just looking the other way, being distracted by the horrid things that are happening around us.
It also touches on the centuries of discrimination towards African Americans and how even today, either subtly or incredibly blatant, it still occurs.
It's a masterclass at what it's trying to portray 👌
I'm begging people, read one book about U.S. history..just one...!
I knew from jump st that you guys would not get this song at all. But got what the song really means. You guys missed everything that was going on cuz all you cared about was the beat and dancing.
Everything in this song has a meaning even the funny faces
When I first watched the video I was distracted by the video and the dancing which was obviously the point of the video but once I watched it again I understood and saw the themes it was portraying. Although a lot of people here have explained the video, I agree with the other comments that recommend you to watch a breakdown video that explains it all in detail!