This is important. ‘This is America’ by Donald Glover, or as he is known in the rapper world; Childish Gambino, is an incredibly poignant song/video that represents a scathing indictment of the United States of America. So…
Happy July 4th America!
Happy ‘Independence’ Day!
This IS America!
The song, and by extension, the graphic video represents a reflection of America as interpreted by Glover and his co-writers Ludwig Goransson and Jeffery Lamar Williams (Young Thug). In less than five minutes these artists portray America in a troubling light that anyone who is paying attention is painfully aware. ‘This is America’ touches on such issues as oppression as far back as slavery, and how in many forms, symbolically the bondage continues. Too often, black culture has replaced being grossly exploited on plantations during colonization and the country’s first ninety years, with violence and crime on inner city streets. For too many, the result is death, crime and mass incarceration. On a broader level ‘This is America’ focuses on gun violence, the disturbing level of mass shootings, and as noted the unending trend of acceptance when it comes to racism and discrimination. Sadly, these patterns all exist right up to the moment I am writing this post.
When Donald Glover and his collaborators wrote ‘This is America’ they were responding to numerous instances of violence and hate and reflecting them in their art as an intense social commentary. Two years later, they could easily update the piece with five more minutes of footage and the message would still be the same.
Things need to change. The United States of America is a cesspool of hatred, discrimination, racism and violence. It needs to change. Many people are on board with this message. I am certain they represent the majority. They represent resistance to the forces that seem intent on creating a divide. It is so troubling to note that those intent on increasing the divide are also the ones in power. It is imperative that they be removed in order for this country to progress. There is no other way to interpret the atrocities that currently dominate U.S. culture.
Upon its release, ‘This is America’ became a massive hit. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. It also became a #1 in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The accolades came pouring in for Childish Gambino in the form of four Grammys that included; Record of the Year, Best Rap/Sung Performance, and Song of the Year. Gambino/’This is America’ became the first hip-hop artist/song to win Record of the Year and Song of the Year. It also won Best Music Video. This is where ‘This is America’ transcends art and takes on the form of a cultural masterpiece that will be remembered for generations due to its honest portrayal of American society. Here is a walk through the video that was directed by filmmaker Hiro Murai.
The song/video opens with the soft sound of traditional black roots music. It is soulful and soothing but hidden in it is the angst of black culture in America. It denotes slavery and a cry for freedom. A black man portrayed by L.A. artist Calvin the Second is approached by Gambino and shot in the back of the head as he plays a guitar. At this point, the music turns into a pulsating rap style and the powerful message takes over. According to Guthrie Ramsey, Professor of Music History at University of Pennsylvania:
He’s talking about the contradictions of trying to get money, the idea of being a black man in America. It comes out of two different sound worlds. Part of the brilliance of the presentation is that you go from this happy major mode of choral singing that we associate with South African choral singing, and then after the first gunshot it moves right into the trap sound.”
Guthrie Ramsey – University of Pennsylvania
In this piece, Donald Glover becomes ‘America’ and the violence contained within represents the entertainment that serves as a distraction. Throughout the video, Glover becomes a caricature of the ‘violence culture’ and as the central focus; the ringleader. The symbolism contained within ‘This is America’ in its video form is captivating in its contemporary significance. As he enters the video, Gambino is seen wearing pants that bear a likeness to old Confederate soldier uniforms. As the camera moves closer you will notice two gold chains around his neck. It has been suggested that these represent both physical bondage in the form of slavery and on a more current level, America’s (western culture’s) fascination with consumerism. As noted, at 52 seconds the video turns violent with the killing of the innocent black man playing his guitar. There is no doubt that this establishes the song’s theme and portrays a clear effort to direct people’s attention to the violence that is occurring on the streets of America while its citizens are distracted by entertainment and focused on their day to day lives. As you look closer you will notice Childish Gambino’s dance moves. These are thought to mimic the movements of Jim Crow and the dancers in the old minstrel shows which included white actors in blackface. As the video develops, Childish Gambino takes on the movement of a South African form of dance known as ‘Gwara Gwara’. This is thought to be an act of solidarity to the apartheid movement.
For freedom we all lay down our lives. The struggle continues.”
Apartheid Slogan
The struggle is for survival. Survival as individuals and as a culture within a society that is bent on oppression and dominance. ‘Dominate’ is a word used in the past month by the man who calls himself ‘President’ as he moved to deny Americans their 1st amendment right to peaceful protest. There is no denying elements of the overall protest took on a dark form, but the roots of the violence point back to the oppressor. It is interesting to observe that so often America simultaneously glorifies black culture, yet they turn their backs on their daily struggle and the socioeconomic challenges they face. They ignore the roots of this sad reality.
As the video continues, the symbolism becomes even more fraught with despair. You see a hooded man on a white horse, which is an ominous biblical symbol representing the apocalypse. The seemingly innocent image of a ten-member black choir singing a hymn denotes black culture’s strong ties to religious faith, but within seconds the group is mowed down by a gunman. This represents the nine black church goers in Charleston, South Carolina killed by a white supremacist in 2015. A tenth person was injured. Police responded to the scene and quietly escorted the assassin away, even grabbing him some take out from Burger King in case he got hungry during the interrogation. Contrast this to George Floyd, who was killed by Minneapolis police while being held down by a knee to his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds for the crime of allegedly attempting to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. Later in the song, there is an eerie 17 second silence. This is thought to reflect the number of people killed in the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland. Florida. The viewer will notice after each shooting the gun is wrapped in a red cloth. This represents the Republican Party and their endless obsession with the 2nd amendment, and the right to bear arms. Despite the carnage, these immoral cretins will fall all over themselves to protect the NRA and the sickness of the gun culture. Ignorant fools, clinging to a gross misinterpretation of the constitution.
Throughout the video the background is an anesthetic grey institution-style structure. This is a definite reference to prisons. As Childish Gambino sings:
This a celly (ha)
Donald Glover, Ludwig Goransson and Jeffery Lamar Williams
That’s a tool (yeah)
On my Kodak (woo, Black)”
In modern day America, incarceration of black people exists as yet another means to suppress. The cell phones have become the response of Americans who choose to rise against police brutality and the clear anti-black bias. More and more instances of atrocities aimed toward black Americans are being caught on cell phone video and going viral. This is capturing the systemic racism, and identifying the need for change. The only way there can be change is if there is a will to accept the fact that there is a problem.
In the final choreographed scene Gambino is first seen dancing amidst a grouping of ‘80s era American made cars. This reflects the Reagan era America first movement, out of which emerged the ‘War on Drugs’, which yet again led to the mass incarceration of black people from inner cities. Ultimately, turning the American inner city into war zones and furthered the mistrust between visible minorities and the police. This symbolizes the stagnation. They have yet to recover.
And the band plays on…
The video concludes with Childish Gambino running out of the darkness being chased by a band of white men. The ‘oppressors’? An effort to escape…but where do they go if no one is listening?
Recent events would suggest that more people are in tune than ever before. As always, change needs to be desired by the people. Out of that desire policy will ensue, because it is the only way those in power will survive. Presently, one thing is clear. In order to initiate change, our voice needs to be louder.
Here are the complete lyrics. Watch the video and follow along. It is quite a commentary.
‘This is America’
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, go, go away
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, go, go away
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, go, go away
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, go, go awayWe just wanna party
Party just for you
We just want the money
Money just for you
I know you wanna party (yeah)
Party just for free
Girl, you got me dancin’ (girl, you got me dancin’)
Dance and shake the frame
We just wanna party (yeah)
Party just for you (yeah)
We just want the money (yeah)
Money just for you (ooh)
I know you wanna party (yeah)
Party just for free (yeah)
Girl, you got me dancin’ (girl, you got me dancin’)
Dance and shake the frame (ooh)This is America
Don’t catch you slippin’ now
Don’t catch you slippin’ now
Look what I’m whippin’ now
This is America (woo)
Don’t catch you slippin’ now
Don’t catch you slippin’ now
Look what I’m whippin’ nowThis is America (skrrt, skrrt, woo)
Don’t catch you slippin’ now (ayy)
Look at how I’m livin’ now
Police be trippin’ now (woo)
Yeah, this is America (woo, ayy)
Guns in my area (word, my area)
I got the strap (ayy, ayy)
I gotta carry ’em
Yeah, yeah, I’ma go into this (ugh)
Yeah, yeah, this is guerilla, woo
Yeah, yeah, I’ma go get the bag
Yeah, yeah, or I’ma get the pad
Yeah, yeah, I’m so cold like yeah (yeah)
I’m so dope like yeah (woo)
We gon’ blow like yeah (straight up, uh)Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody
You go tell somebody
Grandma told me
Get your money, black man (get your money)
Get your money, black man (get your money)
Get your money, black man (get your, black man)
Get your money, black man (get your, black man)
Black manThis is America (woo, ayy)
Don’t catch you slippin’ now (woo, woo, don’t catch you slippin’, now)
Don’t catch you slippin’ now (ayy, woah)
Look what I’m whippin’ now (Slime!)
This is America (yeah, yeah)
Don’t catch you slippin’ now (woah, ayy)
Don’t catch you slippin’ now (ayy, woo)
Look what I’m whippin’ now (ayy)Look how I’m geekin’ out (hey)
I’m so fitted (I’m so fitted, woo)
I’m on Gucci (I’m on Gucci)
I’m so pretty (yeah, yeah)
I’m gon’ get it (ayy, I’m gon’ get it)
Watch me move (blaow)
This a celly (ha)
That’s a tool (yeah)
On my Kodak (woo, Black)
Ooh, know that (yeah, know that, hold on)
Get it (get it, get it)
Ooh, work it (21)
Hunnid bands, hunnid bands, hunnid bands (hunnid bands)
Contraband, contraband, contraband (contraband)
I got the plug on Oaxaca (woah)
They gonna find you like blocka (blaow)Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody
(America, I just checked my following list and)
You go tell somebody
(You mothafuckas owe me)
Grandma told me
Get your money, black man (black man)
Get your money, black man (black man)
Get your money, black man (black man)
Get your money, black man (black man)
Black man (one, two, three, get down)Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody
You go tell somebody
Grandma told me, “Get your money, ” black man
Get your money, black man (black man)
Get your money, black man (black man)
Get your money, black man (black man)
Black manYou just a black man in this world
Donald Glover, Ludwig Goransson and Jeffery Lamar Williams
You just a barcode, ayy
You just a black man in this world
Drivin’ expensive foreigns, ayy
You just a big dawg, yeah
I kenneled him in the backyard
No proper life to a dog
For a big dog
The fallout of ‘This is America’ has been extremely important, because it served to provide additional perspective on issues related to race in not only America but worldwide. Shortly after Childish Gambino’s release, Nigerian rapper Falz released his own cover that focused on corruption and organized crime in his country. It was called ‘This is Nigeria’.
A short time later ‘This is America’ was covered by one of Ted Tocks Covers’ favourite artists; Leo Moracchioli.
So, there you have it…
Happy 244th birthday to the United States of America. A nation of hate. Led by a racist who wishes to emulate dictators of the past and present. A con man, a fraud, a cheat. A man who has never earned an honest cent in his life. A misogynist. An accused rapist on several occasions. An adulterer. A horrid father. A compulsive liar. A man who has somehow derived a following of people who profess ‘Christian’ values. This is a charade. There is nothing ‘Christian’ about this man or these people. To far too many, ‘Christianity’ is just a veil for hate and a means to justify their intolerance. An intolerance fed by fear. Fear of any person who is not born in their Caucasian image. Fear of any person who does not live by their hypocritical religious doctrine. This intolerance is however, tolerated by those sycophants who serve their leaders’ will for personal gain. Politicians on the take, and corporate barons who put profit ahead of their fellow man. Appalling cretins who have no regard for anyone but themselves. America has become a cesspool of hate and intolerance fed by a doctrine that espouses the idea that every man must fend only for himself. An ideal that compassion, empathy and any sense of altruism is incompatible with human nature
The truth is quite the opposite. The sooner we recognize this fact, the better off ‘America’ will be as a culture.
At that point ‘This is America’ will be a different song. Wouldn’t that be a positive gift to society?
Putting this premise forth for consideration is my ‘gift’ to America on this occasion.
Happy Birthday America! You troubled, troubled child.
Ted Tocks Covers 
One thought on “This is America – #HappyJuly4th Look what I’m whippin’ now. #MusicisLife #TedTocksCovers #ChildishGambino #DonaldGlover #LudwigGoransson #YoungThug #HiroMurai #Falz #LeoMoracchioli”