My favorite use of symbolism in the video, which has so many, is after both times he shoots people the gun is carefully placed in a silk scarf and the people are just dragged away like they are garbage. Powerful af.
@@kcoup1626 Yea, that's why it's red because Danny Glover is a Democrat? Are you serious? Wait, I know you are and seriously that's a real problem we have here in the U.S. education-or the lack of it within the system that goes by that name. People here can get advanced degrees and still not know anything real. This video and the problems it speaks about transcends your idiotic identity politics.
@@JudeMalachi Everytime people get shot up at a school or something Democrats say we should deal with the problem and Republicans say nows not the time to deal with the problem. Then they use their political power to block any possible change. So while the Democrats have a lot problems they need to fix about themselves for sure. You acting like they're equal problems is why nothing changes. If my house was on fire and the garage door needed to be fixed. I would focus on the fire first, then fix the garage door.
He made this song shortly after the Parkland Shooting in 2018.... one of the most subtle things he does in the video is just completely stop mid way through and go completely silent... he does this for exactly 17 seconds... for the 17 victims of the Stoneman Douglas shooting. As an MSD alumni.. it shook me to my core when I realized that's what he was doing.
@@curtiszyr Where in the fuck did you get that info? Donald himself said the idea for the song started as a Drake diss but he felt it was too good a song to go in that direction and instead made this masterpiece.
• My thoughts: this is a commentary on gun violence in America and all the shootings that happen and how we get distracted by all the singing and dancing. We watch him and the kids dance instead of all the horrible things that are happening around them. When he lifts his hands at the end with nothing in them all the people run away because of their fear. A statement about people being shot when all they are holding is a phone or equipment. the silence after lasts 17 seconds for the 17 people killed at Parkland school. Notice how the guns are placed in a red cloth. We have respect for guns but not for the people who are shot that get dragged away. When he dances on the cars the one he is dancing on is like the car Rodney King drove in LA. The other cars are representing the other people who were shot/beaten by authorities. The cars are left with the doors open and the blinkers on. . We are all running from what is happening in America. The question is where and what should we run to?
Where or what COULD we run to? There is no good option, just the lesser of 2 evils. I like the way you broke that down, I took the same thing away from the video. Its 2021 now and this is still relevant, even more so now it seems.
@@anirbasnomil9332 WOW. I didnt pick up on that while watching it the first time. After I read your comment I watched it again and you are right on point.
I believe the message is that we are way too easily distracted and so quick to forget everything that has happened and more willing to move on to the next thing. We will dance, sing, and act a fool as if someone hasn't died or that we are in a melting pot with us on the menu to get preyed upon.
"We laugh at the sun, we laugh at the guns, we laugh at all. And when they told us to go, will pay with no mind, like any other time, but little did we know" -LP -A line in the sand
As a German white dude I don't have a lot of cultural insight into the subject of course but what stands out to me is that he is basicly getting through/away with all of it just as long as he is smiling and dancing for the camera. When he is done playing the clown he just gets hunted like the rest.
But to be honest I'm grateful for the fact that cellphones exist, because if they didn't. George Floyd's death wouldn'tve been really known. Same with a lot of other people dying at the hands of police brutality
Maybe, but it also could be a reference to the spiritually destructive quality of social media. That's the thing about a magnificent symbol, it's not literal. It doesn't just mean only one thing or even definitely any particular one thing. It's layered, suggestive but not definitive. It brings you into contact with a new reality, not just reflects the reality you already know. Obviously a cell phone can be used to record "wrongdoing" - even then who's wrong doing? Wrong doing is a value judgement based on a perspective that even for that person is subject to change over time or due to new context. Cell phones are also used to objectify ourselves and others. But to limit it to just this or tie it down to in any other way to such a concrete association is a form of illiteracy in being able to read the world around you. But here's something else it could mean: a celly is a cellmate, which you obviously get in prison. And these cellies, often become either your best friend or worst enemy (and sometimes both, since that cell is so small). So maybe cell phones suggest the reality that this technology has locked us into socially constructed prisons, not unlike how the gold chain that drug dealers use to wear that the rappers then made a fashion, can represent a chain of slavery to consumerist culture and bondage to materialism more gernerally. And how would the objectification of such a consumerist culture then feed back into the other social constructs like racism (both institutional and internalized) and inform the behaviors that you might feel are so wrong that you're happy you had a cell phone as to be able to document them?
I think it’s about the black experience in America. Music, dance, beauty, art are the mainstay but also being surrounded by murder/death, fear, running and feeling scared. My take on it
The black expereince in America? The black experience _is_ the American experience. Even the title of the video is _This is America_ and not "This happens in American".
His last Micheal Jackson type dance on the car roof whilst the lyrics "black get your money" referring to black artists being abused by record companies, the guy with the guitar, sack over his head referring to again black music being stolen and killing of slaves. I am mesmerised with this, Gambino is the man. What does the white horse represent?
@@Flo-tz2mx it's catchy song and a brutally honest video. There are many who has commented most of the meanings. I now recognize some but it's a complex video
amazing how in minute 1:20 you see suddenly how everybody's body language changed abruptly. This song has such a powerful effect of cognitive dissonance, that expresses every day's anxiety.
Yeah, this is why I love watching reaction videos. At the start it was all "lets see Gambino do his thing" and everyone was hyped. Then the realization of what they were seeing kicked in and they all started paying real attention to the video. Always fun to see when people really start thinking about something they weren't expecting to have to think about.
Black American artists are very talented and deep. Unfortunately, it's the suffering that makes it so. This song and video message is chilling and brings about an emotion and feeling that America, with all it's wealth and opportunity, is balanced with poverty, oppression and violence.
You Americans are complaining about how there is “poverty” in the USA, and gang violence, sure there is SOME poverty in the USA, but compare that to Brazils dangerous Favelas that I used to live in, sure there is a lot of violence in the USA, but compare that to the 60,000 homicides in Brazil, Mexico, and El Salvador, put South America, and Central Latin America, Latin Caribbean in general that’s about 193,000 Homicides per year, sure my neighborhood in the US that I’m living in had a shoot out 1 killed last month, so what? That’s not compared to the 40 minors teenage kids being killed each day, and the GORE VIDEOS that were filmed because of gang violence in the Favela that I used to live in Brazil where Police Nation guard army raids would be performed every week or everyday it’s a warzone where cops get ambushed by big cartel gangs, unlike the USA where gangs commit a crime, and run from the police instead of killing them. Why else you think why so many people from those countries moved here to the USA to have a better safer life for? Because they know USA violence is nothing compared to the violence in the country where they came from. Their are literally Mexican migrants escaping cartel life or execution from the Cartel that would usually be filmed like getting skinned alive on camera or head decapitated, that’s called a GORE VIDEO and that type of gore video RARELY HAPPENS IN THE USA, the usuals times of those gore videos filmed in the USA were usually performed by a Hispanic gang like MS-13 or Latin Kings. So think twice again because to me the USA is the most safest country I’ve been to despite some violence that occur because the “This is America” song is just over exaggeration complained by the American soft people.
I think this is the most powerful message of disfunction in America a song could present. Glover is a genius. At this point in time this country is at its tipping point🥺 Got to get our act together 🤨 Have a blessed day.
I was just watching another reaction video about this and I just now realized that when he shot the choir it may be have been in reference to that guy who shot those nine people at that church.
when this song came out it almost broke the net. one of the greatest tunes of all time. one of the greatest video clips of all time. keepin things Real Mr. Gambino to all
This song is so conscious!!! I love the depths and details of this song and video, it’s straight inspired! Please do another react video on this now that some time has gone by and we have a better understanding of the genius, especially since we are in 2021
I've always thought that when I saw this video, it should be considered, artisticly, one of the best music videos since I have been alive (1989). From going from happy beautiful music, to being slapped in the face by a murder, and then changing your attention to him dancing with a smile, changes your focus on what just happened. It desensitized you as what the media is paid to do. It happens twice in the video. Them dancing in the forefront, to me, is saying, "look at what the music corporations want us to put out. Don't focus on what's happening in the real world". They even have the "pale white horse" galloping in the background, a.k.a death. And then to end it with him trying to wake up from this numbed acceptance on life (hence the blunt to smoke and say fuck it, that's life). That's how I interpreted this masterful piece of art. It's beautiful, sad, makes me angry, yet also makes me speechless. Truly a work of art.
There is so much symbolism in this video. After watching a video explaining Glover's dancing, movement, even the pants he wears from the Confederacy all has meaning. Watch it several times and watch just what is going on around him. There's a lot to digest. The guy is a genius.
@@callumpeers2806 I think its symbolise how the recorder of events are anonymous. People who are recorded are the one we see, who got the bad stuffs. But people who are recording the events are always unknown and safe, just like wearing a mask, people dont know who you are.
@@devonishigh not just cops dont blame the entire fuckery of USA on cops its everything from media censoring ppl with different opinion to black on black violence shattering the roof
2:44 I have seen this music video so many times probably around 20 and this is the first time I realized in one of his dance scenes the people running in front of them and not so focus on what is happening in the background. This video was amazingly put together as you always seem to find something new every time you watch it. 😮
To me it seemed to be a run down of American history of systematic racism up to this present day. Artistically it was done so well with the disturbing bits of “this is America …”. Such an authentic voice, some damn fine work, from the song, performance and visual language matched with the moving music and lyric. I’ve been watching it over and over … getting more layers of meaning each time. Great Art gets you thinking and this vid/song certainly does that.
As a white person, I dont think i'll ever be able to truly understand Gambino's art. As a human, I feel like I understand it as a commentary on the violence of systemic racism and the ways black people are portrayed to distract us all from the violent nature of our country's racism. That's what I got from it. That being said, I am here to uphold the voice of my brothers and sisters of color. Your voice is the only one that really matters here.
This country was built with blood. Indians, African Americans, Mexicans, Asian Americans. Other countries are the same ie Philippines, Africa, Europe. I consider myself well educated . Knowing that, Because we (America) are so diverse, Ido not understand or fathom how we all have been getting along at all with everyone’s opinion and point of views and faith or non faith. I’m boggled to this day. But I still try to be the best person I can be without offending other people. But institutions change that.
Top 3 artistic socially relevant music videos ever made. WOW. EVERYTHING FROM THE CLOTHES TO THE CARS TO THE MOVES meaningful hand picked meticulously planed masterpiece
Dude at the front nailed it. "This is America" people are getting shot and killed in mass murders, but don't look at the chaos, look at the entertainment.. rinse and repeat.. I'm Canadian and this song and video always illicit dark and heavy emotions in me. I feel for my Southern neighbours.
I think this video was needed...the music video. Iv always like the song and the video, but after listening to your breakdown Its even better. Love the fact I'm not the only one that realizes the links to how we are distracted by bullshit media while history, life, and atrocities happen all around us. Glad I saw this thanks guys.
The symbolism i react too most is first its the artists, then the church, then the children. Systematically attacking each part of the culture. He only pretends to pull a gun on the children. It's like a warning. Where it's gonna go next. Then he reflects like 'this world is fucked up' then lights a joint to calm his nerves lol.
Or - first African culture, the violent erasure of that during slavery and beyond. Then reference to a hate-crime shooting at a black church, then pulling the "gun" on the kids followed by 17 seconds of silence to represent the 17 Parkland victims. All emphasizing the sacred treatment guns get in America, compared to human lives, especially Black lives. I like your reading, but the references are also much more intentional and specific.
Your reactions were almost exactly like mine. This is an awesome reaction. I've never enjoyed a reaction before. Idk why. This just feels really honest, like me and my friends watching a deep ass video and talking about it. Nicely done. Def subscribin
I dont know if you guys noticed, (and i know this is a very late comment) but in the beginnning, the way he is standing resembles Jim crow, a form of entertainment in teh 19th and 20th century, which was an act for entertainment making fun of african americans
His dancing looks so lighthearted and silly but there is an element of sadness to it that really resonates. It's like the musicians contining to play as the Titanic sank...
The other thing I appreciate is that he's not setting himself above the problems. If anything this song is as much an indictment of himself as an entertainer as it is society as a whole.
Some references: (The song is in response to Childish Gambino for his song "This is America" spreading it to all of America and not just the USA) The image at the beginning criticizes an advertisement for Alfredo Jaar´s (This is América) Lolita Lebron, (Puerto Rican activist who in 1954 went to Congress and demonstrated for the liberation of Puerto Rico, was imprisoned for 24 years). Families separated on the northern border of Mexico, The Peruvian revolutionary Tupac Amaru in times of the Spanish colonization,- The part were he says cut heads the people in the scene represents Bolivians indigenas fight for their rigts The Wowan giving breath to his chiild hapen in Argentina a woman has to give his chid trhoug the wall It speaks of the dead and disappeared during OPERATION CONDOR (campaign of political repression and State terrorism supported by the United States that included intelligence operations and assassinations of opponents in almost all of America) The execution of Víctor Jara, a Chilean singer-songwriter who fought for the people and was tortured and murdered in 1973 by the Pinochet dictatorship The Zapatista indigenous women's movement formed in the State of Chiapa (Mexico) Central American gangs like "La Marasalvatrucha" The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro (for the burning of the Amazon rainforest), It mentions 5 presidents in 11 days, it happened in Argentina in 2001 (the banks kept the people's savings and there was a revolt that expelled the president) The protests in Venezuela, including the protestant who burned in full march The mobilizations in Colombia against the government of Iván Duque and Police shoot and kill people just for ask for their rights The presence of transnational brands, He cites Eduardo Galeano, the political prisoners of the Valdivia culture who were in Ecuador. And so there are endless references that are part of our American history
The video reminded me of how we have good life promoted to us while in the background there are people hurting and when tragedy is put in front of us it is quickly moved away with more things that take our mind away from more important issues
few questions for yall. who was the man playing the guitar? i heard it was the father of a man who was shot by the cops. did you notice the kind of pants the singer was wearing? did you notice the church shooting scene? everything in this video hints at americas history and current problems. just to let you know. gotta look for and listen for them.
Maybe the fact that he is using dancing and a guy playing the guitar as a form of distraction for every horrible thing happening in the background is to represent that black people in America are acknowledged and liked only when they are a source of entertainment : producing music, amazing danse skills, distracting the public, etc; but silencing the real issues and violence black people have to face everyday in this country. I love this music video so many possible lectures
My interpretation of his performance shows us as a nation of ADD; right after the horrendous act of murder, we forget so quickly that nothing is shocking enough for the change in our behavior. IDK. But it was a very compelling song and performance that made me cry.
My favorite use of symbolism in the video, which has so many, is after both times he shoots people the gun is carefully placed in a silk scarf and the people are just dragged away like they are garbage. Powerful af.
It's a red scarf ... symbolic of how republicans are the apologetics of the NRA and sweep up and cover up gun violence in the US.
Symbolism for Republicans valuing guns over human life.
@@kcoup1626 Yea, that's why it's red because Danny Glover is a Democrat? Are you serious? Wait, I know you are and seriously that's a real problem we have here in the U.S. education-or the lack of it within the system that goes by that name. People here can get advanced degrees and still not know anything real. This video and the problems it speaks about transcends your idiotic identity politics.
@@JudeMalachi Everytime people get shot up at a school or something Democrats say we should deal with the problem and Republicans say nows not the time to deal with the problem. Then they use their political power to block any possible change. So while the Democrats have a lot problems they need to fix about themselves for sure. You acting like they're equal problems is why nothing changes.
If my house was on fire and the garage door needed to be fixed. I would focus on the fire first, then fix the garage door.
@@Visitant69
fact
I dont care what anybody thinks. His dance moves are revolutionary
@@Thomas-bs4tv hm maybe there is a call to that. Everything seems to be very deliberate in this video
True
He was choreographed and the dance moves come from south africa.
@@TheBlomberFactory 👍👍
This Dance have a sense. Euphoria and not controll to himself
He made this song shortly after the Parkland Shooting in 2018.... one of the most subtle things he does in the video is just completely stop mid way through and go completely silent... he does this for exactly 17 seconds... for the 17 victims of the Stoneman Douglas shooting. As an MSD alumni.. it shook me to my core when I realized that's what he was doing.
And the screams right after the beat stops are giving me beasts
The song is a drake diss track lol😂
@@curtiszyrit was supposed to be, but it’s not.
@@curtiszyr Where in the fuck did you get that info? Donald himself said the idea for the song started as a Drake diss but he felt it was too good a song to go in that direction and instead made this masterpiece.
The entire song is a protest against racism and the fascist agenda of society. Its really a genius song.
It's not all of that but you are right
@@user-my1cz1ne4u why wouldn’t someone hate racism.
@@darkx6869 in fact he’s a chinese and saying that racism is right 😂
Since it is based entirely on fiction it's the opposite of genius.
@@darkx6869 Ask the entire left, racist to the bone but to narcissistic to realize.
• My thoughts: this is a commentary on gun violence in America and all the shootings that happen and how we get distracted by all the singing and dancing. We watch him and the kids dance instead of all the horrible things that are happening around them. When he lifts his hands at the end with nothing in them all the people run away because of their fear. A statement about people being shot when all they are holding is a phone or equipment. the silence after lasts 17 seconds for the 17 people killed at Parkland school. Notice how the guns are placed in a red cloth. We have respect for guns but not for the people who are shot that get dragged away. When he dances on the cars the one he is dancing on is like the car Rodney King drove in LA. The other cars are representing the other people who were shot/beaten by authorities. The cars are left with the doors open and the blinkers on. . We are all running from what is happening in America. The question is where and what should we run to?
woah
I agree. I also think the cars being old and abandoned is like nothing changed from then to now. No real progress.
@ZacTheDerpling except for the spiders xd
Where or what COULD we run to? There is no good option, just the lesser of 2 evils. I like the way you broke that down, I took the same thing away from the video. Its 2021 now and this is still relevant, even more so now it seems.
@@anirbasnomil9332 WOW. I didnt pick up on that while watching it the first time. After I read your comment I watched it again and you are right on point.
I believe the message is that we are way too easily distracted and so quick to forget everything that has happened and more willing to move on to the next thing. We will dance, sing, and act a fool as if someone hasn't died or that we are in a melting pot with us on the menu to get preyed upon.
Facts all day ! Thank you for you're post. Peace and blessings.
Well said your interpretation is spot on! 🙋🏾♀️
"We laugh at the sun, we laugh at the guns, we laugh at all. And when they told us to go, will pay with no mind, like any other time, but little did we know"
-LP -A line in the sand
Fucking this.
As a German white dude I don't have a lot of cultural insight into the subject of course but what stands out to me is that he is basicly getting through/away with all of it just as long as he is smiling and dancing for the camera. When he is done playing the clown he just gets hunted like the rest.
Er redert über razismus und waffen in amerika.. wie die Schwarzen behandelt werden Usw
Wow. You're right! I missed that. Thought he was running for a different reason.
@@jarianharris8240 you missed that even though the lyrics repeat "Get your money black man" like a dozen times?
@@JudeMalachi Yes. I thought that was about him. And I thought that was being said in a parody, goofy way to add some humor
Dude, it didn’t even compute in my mind that HE was the one murdering everyone…wow, wtf
Truth is hard to swallow .
Facts!
The scene with the kids on their cellphones is a reference to how cellphone have become a tool use to record wrongdoing.
Not necessarly wrongdoing. Just filming stuff while doing nothing while the world is burning.
But to be honest I'm grateful for the fact that cellphones exist, because if they didn't. George Floyd's death wouldn'tve been really known. Same with a lot of other people dying at the hands of police brutality
@@radioactive_baby True
Maybe, but it also could be a reference to the spiritually destructive quality of social media. That's the thing about a magnificent symbol, it's not literal. It doesn't just mean only one thing or even definitely any particular one thing. It's layered, suggestive but not definitive. It brings you into contact with a new reality, not just reflects the reality you already know. Obviously a cell phone can be used to record "wrongdoing" - even then who's wrong doing? Wrong doing is a value judgement based on a perspective that even for that person is subject to change over time or due to new context. Cell phones are also used to objectify ourselves and others. But to limit it to just this or tie it down to in any other way to such a concrete association is a form of illiteracy in being able to read the world around you. But here's something else it could mean: a celly is a cellmate, which you obviously get in prison. And these cellies, often become either your best friend or worst enemy (and sometimes both, since that cell is so small). So maybe cell phones suggest the reality that this technology has locked us into socially constructed prisons, not unlike how the gold chain that drug dealers use to wear that the rappers then made a fashion, can represent a chain of slavery to consumerist culture and bondage to materialism more gernerally. And how would the objectification of such a consumerist culture then feed back into the other social constructs like racism (both institutional and internalized) and inform the behaviors that you might feel are so wrong that you're happy you had a cell phone as to be able to document them?
@@radioactive_baby George Floyd isn't an angel
I think it’s about the black experience in America. Music, dance, beauty, art are the mainstay but also being surrounded by murder/death, fear, running and feeling scared. My take on it
Agreed. Well put.
Amen.
The black expereince in America? The black experience _is_ the American experience. Even the title of the video is _This is America_ and not "This happens in American".
@@JudeMalachi tf
perfectly put👍🏾
His last Micheal Jackson type dance on the car roof whilst the lyrics "black get your money" referring to black artists being abused by record companies, the guy with the guitar, sack over his head referring to again black music being stolen and killing of slaves. I am mesmerised with this, Gambino is the man. What does the white horse represent?
A pale rider named death and white was his horse. It's an apocalyptical figure
@@face2face78 Thank you, I did wonder if it could be reference to the KKK on their white horses. What I do know is, it is an amazing piece of work,
@@Flo-tz2mx it's catchy song and a brutally honest video. There are many who has commented most of the meanings. I now recognize some but it's a complex video
@@face2face78 Totally agree, it scares me a little but i love it at the same time. I will enjoy forever analysing it .
@@Flo-tz2mx it's a little like the Simpsons old episodes. The more you know the better you understand and enjoy the experience
This music video gave me chills every 5 seconds. This song makes me wanna shout. Imma listen to this everyday now
Oh god plis dont go to the school
Shout what lmao
@@OnixpectedYT like scream
@@flordefuentes8611 don't agun
everything he does is a symbol from history - even the dance moves and what he's wearing.
jim crow right?
Stand comedy
Exactly. It's history symbolism. Well done Donald 👏
@Idk well I guess you don't have to watch anything now with a nasty dirty monitor
@Idk your comment makes me wanna throw up, the sheer deranged ignorance is very nausciating🤮
amazing how in minute 1:20 you see suddenly how everybody's body language changed abruptly. This song has such a powerful effect of cognitive dissonance, that expresses every day's anxiety.
Yeah, this is why I love watching reaction videos. At the start it was all "lets see Gambino do his thing" and everyone was hyped. Then the realization of what they were seeing kicked in and they all started paying real attention to the video. Always fun to see when people really start thinking about something they weren't expecting to have to think about.
Black American artists are very talented and deep. Unfortunately, it's the suffering that makes it so. This song and video message is chilling and brings about an emotion and feeling that America, with all it's wealth and opportunity, is balanced with poverty, oppression and violence.
Yes ! You get it.
👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
You Americans are complaining about how there is “poverty” in the USA, and gang violence, sure there is SOME poverty in the USA, but compare that to Brazils dangerous Favelas that I used to live in, sure there is a lot of violence in the USA, but compare that to the 60,000 homicides in Brazil, Mexico, and El Salvador, put South America, and Central Latin America, Latin Caribbean in general that’s about 193,000 Homicides per year, sure my neighborhood in the US that I’m living in had a shoot out 1 killed last month, so what? That’s not compared to the 40 minors teenage kids being killed each day, and the GORE VIDEOS that were filmed because of gang violence in the Favela that I used to live in Brazil where Police Nation guard army raids would be performed every week or everyday it’s a warzone where cops get ambushed by big cartel gangs, unlike the USA where gangs commit a crime, and run from the police instead of killing them. Why else you think why so many people from those countries moved here to the USA to have a better safer life for? Because they know USA violence is nothing compared to the violence in the country where they came from. Their are literally Mexican migrants escaping cartel life or execution from the Cartel that would usually be filmed like getting skinned alive on camera or head decapitated, that’s called a GORE VIDEO and that type of gore video RARELY HAPPENS IN THE USA, the usuals times of those gore videos filmed in the USA were usually performed by a Hispanic gang like MS-13 or Latin Kings. So think twice again because to me the USA is the most safest country I’ve been to despite some violence that occur because the “This is America” song is just over exaggeration complained by the American soft people.
Deep name fucking one? No suffering just ignorance. Suffering is facing self and truth exactly what they avoid. Lets go fucker
You think black men are oppressed 😂
Get back up on that nipple fool
I think this is the most powerful message of disfunction in America a song could present.
Glover is a genius.
At this point in time this country is at its tipping point🥺
Got to get our act together 🤨
Have a blessed day.
The ending was him snapping out of it and running from the darkness to the light and running from the distractions
I was just watching another reaction video about this and I just now realized that when he shot the choir it may be have been in reference to that guy who shot those nine people at that church.
Good eye! Peace and blessings.
when this song came out it almost broke the net. one of the greatest tunes of all time. one of the greatest video clips of all time. keepin things Real Mr. Gambino to all
We need more black people like you around! And we also need more black people paying attention to these videos! Point thank you my brothers!
Facts! Peace and blessings.
You mean that black doing moat of the killing, that message? Ywah you right, take notes!
Few will be truly awake to appreciate the message of this song to the core.
Which is what the songs about
This song is so conscious!!! I love the depths and details of this song and video, it’s straight inspired! Please do another react video on this now that some time has gone by and we have a better understanding of the genius, especially since we are in 2021
The pause at 3:15 is 17 seconds for the 17 murdered Parkland students.
I've always thought that when I saw this video, it should be considered, artisticly, one of the best music videos since I have been alive (1989). From going from happy beautiful music, to being slapped in the face by a murder, and then changing your attention to him dancing with a smile, changes your focus on what just happened. It desensitized you as what the media is paid to do. It happens twice in the video. Them dancing in the forefront, to me, is saying, "look at what the music corporations want us to put out. Don't focus on what's happening in the real world". They even have the "pale white horse" galloping in the background, a.k.a death. And then to end it with him trying to wake up from this numbed acceptance on life (hence the blunt to smoke and say fuck it, that's life). That's how I interpreted this masterful piece of art. It's beautiful, sad, makes me angry, yet also makes me speechless. Truly a work of art.
That guy at 3:15 : is he asleep?
The MCU guys watching the video be like : No, I am pretty sure he's dead 😂
I needed this song when I was doing my Senior Practicum paper at Howard. African American Studies. The symbolism is nuts.
4 years later, still so powerful
once people are hurt in the black community, it's like they're forgotten; they're faceless" wow...speechless
100% Buffalo New York, Tops Grocery Store.
There is so much symbolism in this video. After watching a video explaining Glover's dancing, movement, even the pants he wears from the Confederacy all has meaning. Watch it several times and watch just what is going on around him. There's a lot to digest. The guy is a genius.
There's so much symbolism in this video it takes more than one watching to catch it all. From first scene to last!
A deep message is clearly shown in this video
A fantastic social statement, great song and brilliant dance moves, all in one beautiful package. One of my favourite songs/music videos.
No music video has ever been this deep since!
Look at America now.
Did you notice the kids in the scaffolding with cells and masks on like we are in Covid-19!
the masks in this video has nothing to do with covid 19 it has to do with gangs
@@callumpeers2806 I think its symbolise how the recorder of events are anonymous. People who are recorded are the one we see, who got the bad stuffs. But people who are recording the events are always unknown and safe, just like wearing a mask, people dont know who you are.
@@iAsked900 well I wore a mask before covid because my job means thst I have to does that mean I can tell the future
One of the most genius music videos of a generation
Why is everyone shocked? This is how everyone thinks America is like . Thats why we never visit. Love Australia. Btw mad moves mr gambino you rock x
That's sad to see. We are not all like this!
@@simi6152 just 40% of our cops
@@devonishigh That may be true unfortunately!
@@devonishigh not just cops dont blame the entire fuckery of USA on cops its everything from media censoring ppl with different opinion to black on black violence shattering the roof
@@devonishigh nice numbers bro, wonder how you got them
2:44
I have seen this music video so many times probably around 20 and this is the first time I realized in one of his dance scenes the people running in front of them and not so focus on what is happening in the background. This video was amazingly put together as you always seem to find something new every time you watch it. 😮
To me it seemed to be a run down of American history of systematic racism up to this present day. Artistically it was done so well with the disturbing bits of “this is America …”.
Such an authentic voice, some damn fine work, from the song, performance and visual language matched with the moving music and lyric.
I’ve been watching it over and over … getting more layers of meaning each time. Great Art gets you thinking and this vid/song certainly does that.
I’m in my mid 50’s and this will be the most relevant song and video of my lifetime . I’m amazed
From Europe. One of the smartest videos i've seen.
The juxtaposition of entertainment and horrifying murders as the world around us descends into chaos...this is America.
As a white person, I dont think i'll ever be able to truly understand Gambino's art. As a human, I feel like I understand it as a commentary on the violence of systemic racism and the ways black people are portrayed to distract us all from the violent nature of our country's racism. That's what I got from it.
That being said, I am here to uphold the voice of my brothers and sisters of color. Your voice is the only one that really matters here.
"The background is the crazy stuff and the foreground is the dude dancing..." Now you are finally getting it. WAKE UP!🙏🇺🇸❤️🦋
Great Artisitc Expression, I think hom, Kanye and Kendrick have some of the greatest artistic expressions in their videos
I know this old but looking at that video now make sense to everybody. This is America before, then, now, and future.
Notice that the cops don't come until he sparks up a joint?
This country was built with blood. Indians, African Americans, Mexicans, Asian Americans. Other countries are the same ie Philippines, Africa, Europe. I consider myself well educated . Knowing that, Because we (America) are so diverse, Ido not understand or fathom how we all have been getting along at all with everyone’s opinion and point of views and faith or non faith. I’m boggled to this day. But I still try to be the best person I can be without offending other people. But institutions change that.
....... Yikes
america is censoring other ppl opinions
You conveniently left out the Irish and all the whites that died. But, like so many other things, I guess it didn't go with the narrative.
Top 3 artistic socially relevant music videos ever made. WOW. EVERYTHING FROM THE CLOTHES TO THE CARS TO THE MOVES meaningful hand picked meticulously planed masterpiece
First time I saw this I felt wounded. Like waking up after a knockout. I couldn't even sleep that night.
0:51 look at the left of the video
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched his video, along with video reactions.
Dude at the front nailed it. "This is America" people are getting shot and killed in mass murders, but don't look at the chaos, look at the entertainment.. rinse and repeat..
I'm Canadian and this song and video always illicit dark and heavy emotions in me. I feel for my Southern neighbours.
I think this video was needed...the music video. Iv always like the song and the video, but after listening to your breakdown Its even better. Love the fact I'm not the only one that realizes the links to how we are distracted by bullshit media while history, life, and atrocities happen all around us. Glad I saw this thanks guys.
Facts! Peace and blessings.
Its been 4yrs but that gunshot still hits different. Freaks my shit out.
It also means Black America isn't really WOKE as it should be.
Much talent and much respect. 🤟🏻 Talent. Being real.
The symbolism i react too most is first its the artists, then the church, then the children. Systematically attacking each part of the culture. He only pretends to pull a gun on the children. It's like a warning. Where it's gonna go next. Then he reflects like 'this world is fucked up' then lights a joint to calm his nerves lol.
Or - first African culture, the violent erasure of that during slavery and beyond. Then reference to a hate-crime shooting at a black church, then pulling the "gun" on the kids followed by 17 seconds of silence to represent the 17 Parkland victims. All emphasizing the sacred treatment guns get in America, compared to human lives, especially Black lives. I like your reading, but the references are also much more intentional and specific.
This is America memes > This is America.
Haven't seen this music video in probably 4 years. Its still so good
This is by far one of the best song clip ever and yes THIS IS AMERICA exactly how real life is like!!!
the Jim Crow depiction in his posture before he shoots the first black man, is the most artistic aspect in this video. pure genius
Your reactions were almost exactly like mine. This is an awesome reaction. I've never enjoyed a reaction before. Idk why. This just feels really honest, like me and my friends watching a deep ass video and talking about it. Nicely done. Def subscribin
Epitome of an artist. Hands down.
As a 50 year old white guy I was raised to respect all people …… all.
Respect me and I’ll respect you right back.
DEEEEEEP MAN.gambino is an ARTIST! X
"is he sleep?" 🤣🤣🤣
Brilliant song and performance by Childish Bambino.
I liked when the the professor reacting about it
I dont know if you guys noticed, (and i know this is a very late comment) but in the beginnning, the way he is standing resembles Jim crow, a form of entertainment in teh 19th and 20th century, which was an act for entertainment making fun of african americans
Exactly my comment was very similar to your statement.
The guy with a bag over his head means he’s not important anymore
I still get the chills when I watch it from the beginning. It’s a massive slap in the face dressed with a. silk glove. 😱
His dancing looks so lighthearted and silly but there is an element of sadness to it that really resonates. It's like the musicians contining to play as the Titanic sank...
The other thing I appreciate is that he's not setting himself above the problems. If anything this song is as much an indictment of himself as an entertainer as it is society as a whole.
Até hoje eu não consigo sorrir em quando assisto, a simbologia é muito forte. Triste .
This song is a masterpiece
Some references:
(The song is in response to Childish Gambino for his song "This is America" spreading it to all of America and not just the USA)
The image at the beginning criticizes an advertisement for Alfredo Jaar´s (This is América)
Lolita Lebron, (Puerto Rican activist who in 1954 went to Congress and demonstrated for the liberation of Puerto Rico, was imprisoned for 24 years).
Families separated on the northern border of Mexico,
The Peruvian revolutionary Tupac Amaru in times of the Spanish colonization,-
The part were he says cut heads the people in the scene represents Bolivians indigenas fight for their rigts
The Wowan giving breath to his chiild hapen in Argentina a woman has to give his chid trhoug the wall
It speaks of the dead and disappeared during OPERATION CONDOR (campaign of political repression and State terrorism supported by the United States that included intelligence operations and assassinations of opponents in almost all of America)
The execution of Víctor Jara, a Chilean singer-songwriter who fought for the people and was tortured and murdered in 1973 by the Pinochet dictatorship
The Zapatista indigenous women's movement formed in the State of Chiapa (Mexico)
Central American gangs like "La Marasalvatrucha"
The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro (for the burning of the Amazon rainforest),
It mentions 5 presidents in 11 days, it happened in Argentina in 2001 (the banks kept the people's savings and there was a revolt that expelled the president)
The protests in Venezuela, including the protestant who burned in full march
The mobilizations in Colombia against the government of Iván Duque and Police shoot and kill people just for ask for their rights
The presence of transnational brands,
He cites Eduardo Galeano, the political prisoners of the Valdivia culture who were in Ecuador.
And so there are endless references that are part of our American history
a very powerful video
I’m a sixty-eight year old white dude, and aI KNOW THAT is BRILLIANT. Long live CG!
Who’s cg
The video reminded me of how we have good life promoted to us while in the background there are people hurting and when tragedy is put in front of us it is quickly moved away with more things that take our mind away from more important issues
Powerful piece of performance art. Lots to think about. Thanks for sharing this.
This is a great song and great video.
Love this song
Trying to have fun and be silly, then guns ruin it. This is America.
few questions for yall. who was the man playing the guitar? i heard it was the father of a man who was shot by the cops. did you notice the kind of pants the singer was wearing? did you notice the church shooting scene? everything in this video hints at americas history and current problems. just to let you know. gotta look for and listen for them.
it was 6 yrs ago but still song hits different 😔
The background is where it's all happening. I had to watch this vid a dozen times and think like crazy (and read lol) to get it all down. This is art.
It's the boss! He handed everything over and rubbed the harsh and still unfortunately existing reality in the face. The racism.
When I first saw this, and that was just about a month ago... I was shocked... But I think I got the symbolic in this...
Big dude watched it straight up without flinching, he's a G.
1:17 my boy in the black hoodie got a flashback 🤣
Hello my friend I'm from Iraq l like this is much ❤☦️🇮🇶
Not the guy in 2:42 just blinking with one eye. Damn peripheral vision must be doing God's job
This song truly moved me! I think people were definitely sleeping on this song/video!
I wonder if this is going through the mind of that homeless man at the corner of the liquor store dancing his butt off.
Lmfao
The scary thing is he's not kidding
You guys are like cotton mouf IRL 😂
Maybe the fact that he is using dancing and a guy playing the guitar as a form of distraction for every horrible thing happening in the background is to represent that black people in America are acknowledged and liked only when they are a source of entertainment : producing music, amazing danse skills, distracting the public, etc; but silencing the real issues and violence black people have to face everyday in this country. I love this music video so many possible lectures
I’ve heard the dance he was doing was based on a minstrel show dance from Jim Crow times
Donald is something else!!!! This fool crushes it!
Amazing message
Yo, having real brothers comment on it, is useful. thank you brothers! keep up the fight!
My interpretation of his performance shows us as a nation of ADD; right after the horrendous act of murder, we forget so quickly that nothing is shocking enough for the change in our behavior. IDK. But it was a very compelling song and performance that made me cry.