This is America: A Surrealist New Nightmare

In his new politically charged music video for ‘This is America’ directed by Hiro Murai, Childish Gambino comments upon the harsh reality that is to be black in Trump’s America. Riddled with hidden messages and symbolism, the video takes on a satirical stance to 21st century racism. It explores a viewpoint often silenced by white-washed media; the black youth. The video is heavily soaked in cultural-political references.

Through jolting shoulders, scatty body movements and animated facial expressions, Gambino mimics the behaviour often seen on the ‘Minstrel Show’.  Subsequently Gambino is reclaiming the mockery that was targeted at people of African descent during both the 19th and 20th century. This reminds the audience of the past of blackface and how it is deep rooted in ridicule. The first scene features a man playing a guitar over some up beat music, then the next frame his head is covered with a bag. Simultaneous to this, the music also changes from upbeat to a trap beat. Gambino is stood behind him holding a gun to the back of his head imitating the Jim Crow stance. He takes on the role of the oppressor.

Throughout the video Gambino is accompanied by school uniform-clad dancers (meant to be portrayed as the black American youth). They dance in front of a trigger-happy police force, fascists/white supremacists and chases. This could be a comment on how quickly society moves on from matters such as the #BlackLivesMatter movement, police brutality, and the subtle oppression of minorities. At the same time it could also be showing the hatred black youth are exposed to, showing they’re strength in being able to carry on dancing and striving through the chaos. The camera is always focused on Gambino and the dancers regardless of the anarchy breaking out in the periphery. All too often the media forgets the personhood of the black person, but in this video it is solely about the non-sugar-coated black perspective.

“This is celly (…) that’s my tool, my Kodak” here Gambino is highlighting the importance of technology in the black community being able to seek justice. Hundreds of murders and injustices have been uncovered consequent to the use of phone cameras. It may also be a nod to the fatal shooting of Stephon Clark who was supposedly ‘armed’ with what turned out to be just an iPhone. This reveals the relationship between violence and technology, the latter being almost a form of protection which ironically could be replaced with a gun.

Location is crucial to the overall tone of any video, but especially this one. A grey, empty warehouse acts as the stage for Gambino’s performance. The location acts as a parallel to the intentions behind the video; stripping back the façade perpetuated by the media.

Childish Gambino has been able to create a beautiful piece of activism without romanticising or compromising the black perspective.