links to my music and novel please check it out thinmansparrow.... www.amazon.com... This is my creative channel where I share my music,covers,and films I make. Thanks for checking my stuff out and please come back. Thank you!
Hence, Americans are confirming the main thesis of the video by ignoring the substance. I mean, not all Americans obviously. I watched a lot of reaction videos and some of them do get it. But most of the time they don't. It's a result of the mass media avoiding those issues, the mass entertainment industry, the fact that education is not affordable and public schools are underfunded. Most of the Americans who do get it are either educated, coming from the Afro-American community and it reminds them of their reality or are from a liberal, cosmopolitan urban area and they are young, or they are artists who have a tendency to see things outside the box or outside the macrostructure. The most detailed analysis I saw was from a university professor of cinema, but he was analyzing the video from an artistic perspective with the different types of shooting angles, choreographies and he was also able to guess which model of camera they used. However, I think he also made a quick comment about the social criticism, but it was like : "We all know the underlying issues reflected in this clip, I am explaining you how the visual amplifies the effect and has created the internet phenomenon".
My take on this was that childish and the kids were wearing older clothes and older cars are seen throughout showing how - despite being released in 2018 - older issues from 40-50 years ago are still very relevant today. I think the man with the mask coming back to life was symbolising how the killings will happen over and over again, the mask is important as it hides his face so that he is just another black man being killed, also that the media focuses more on how a man has been killed, but that it doesn't matter who it was. He is also quickly swept under the rug as you mentioned.
another point to the cars is as he highlighted to show the reality vs what we're all chasing after "get that money". the guy at the end is the only image i can't seem to come up with a rationalization for. my only thinking is that maybe we value the music more than the artist. that dead or face covered we still want that entertainment that will distract us from whats going on
jbcreate from what I have gathered it is a homage to a scene in the movie Get Out in which the actor is trapped in this prison and his thoughts are chasing him. What I read is, he was the one committing the violence but in the end he is the one running away. The lyrics are a trip too (they may need revision) Outro: Young Thug "You just a Black man in this world/ 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 probably ain't life to a dog/ For a big dog"
Loud_ Hailer nah im talking about the guitarist. gambino running away has a few meanings, like u said the get out reference, but also his fleeing america, but as well as in the end youre still just a black man thatll be treated as such, regardless of fame or material
Incredible how you discerned the video despite not knowing the artist or seeing the video before. Many Americans themselves can't seem to even grasp it on the first 5 times watching it
This was the most entertaining and intellectual reaction to this video. He caught all that stuff in his first watch. I had to watch several times to begin to understand.
I've been binge watching reactions to this video and replaying the video itself over and over. This is by FAR my favorite reaction. You're very observant and i loved your breakdown.
I appreciate your interpretation of the message behind the video. I agree with you 100%.. thanks for understanding of the situation that we as a society especially the black community are facing till these day in America.
I like the way you see past all the dancing (which is intended to distract the viewer) to all the chaos that's going on the background. Excellent review!!
You caught a lot of things specific to America, so it's hopeful to think this art can effect so many who aren't yet familiar with all of the references
First off, great fu@$ing song regardless of message. I'm a metal head but can't get enough of this song. As to the comments about this guy picking up on everything so quickly., that's because he's watched it before!!! Probably even watched a video where someone else had already done the same thing. You people believe everything you hear and see without thinking for yourselves. Maybe it was his first time watching but come on. Think with your logic side of your brain! He's most likely see it before.
VERY unlikely this is his first time watching and he likely read quite a few comments before. He paused on the horse like he remembered in last second. If it was genuine, he would have made a quick comment about it.
At the end of video when Gambino is running I think that it means hes terrified During the entire video with all of the chaos he stayed distracted by dancing and when he "woke up" ...the chaos was on him. Its all fun and games until it's your turn.
Vonae Harrison I believe it could be that or on top of that he was pointing out all the things thats happen in America now the powers that be are trying to get him because he spoke on the truth now he's running for his life
I think it’s him actually running away from society. If you listen to the lyrics at that time, it says that “he’s just a barcode”. Making it seem as if he’s only being used and now he’s being chased because of him speaking out and trying to change. I like what you’re thinking though.👍
You have had the most insightful analysis of this video I've seen. To be able to see the layers of symbolism, especially the strains of South African music that everybody seemed to miss, on first viewing ( I assume it's your first viewing :-) ) is remarkable. You have a new subscriber.
Yes, it is If you look closely the horse is passing by a police car as some people are running. Some people said that it referring to police brutality.
The exact quote from the book of revelations is "And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat upon him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with the beasts of the earth." The pale horse is a harbinger of armageddon. Glover grew up as a Jehovah Witness so he would know this passage well.
The horse: Revelation 6:8 - I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. The silence was exactly 17 seconds of silence for the 17 victims of Parkland school.
I must have watched this 50 times now and I keep seeing new things. He's wearing American Indian Moccasins. Subtle but there. He makes a reference to the youtube shooter "I just checked my follower listing, you mother f*ckers owe me". In the background, you notice that it's not just black people in the crowd, but people of all races running around in the chaos. At the end, you don't really know if he's being chased, or if he's leading the pack of people running from the darkness towards the light. It's almost as if it's a statement saying that we may have to be scared for our lives to finally get out of the darkness. In any event, the video is pure genius.
I LOVED YOUR REACTION! RIGHT ON POINT. You paid such good attention to everything! I was all over the place trying to catch everything the first time I watched it. You caught EVERYTHING! Good job!!!
I think Death riding a white horse = Behold a Pale Horse Also, all his actual gun handling is being ignored & when he doesn't have a gun & just holds up his hands everyone notices & scatters.
The mean of the video is that when someone get killed here .a new dance or songs comes out and we forget about whats going on in the world .he is running from being controlled. Like the movie get out.
Wow I Love the way u see things , I’ve watch A lot Of different reactions and u are definitely on point on everything u said . You’re amazing thanks for posting this video .
THE HORSE IS A REFERENCE TO DEATH AND THE APOCALYPSE IN REVELATION AND THE MUSIC STOPPAGE IS 17 SECONDS LIKE THE KIDS AT PARKLAND DID FOR THERE FALLEN SCHOOL MATES
Very astute observations. A couple things of note: The pose he makes when he shoots the first man is a copy of a "Jim Crow" charicature from long ago, reference Jim Crow laws. And the white horse is likely a reference from revelations: "And I looked, and behold, a pale horse, and its rider's name was Death, and Hell followed with him."
Being an American who just reached a half century old, a few things jumped out to me. I could be wrong, so keep that in mind. One thing that stood out was was Childish’s stance with the first murder. It is similar to the poses expressed in comic-political art of the Jim Crow era - how the black person was represented. Could be cioincidence, but it’s a familiar stance. The other was the vintage style of the teenagers’ clothing. It took me back to when I learned about school integration in the US, because the states were forced to integrate black and white students in the 1950’s-1960’s. I think of the “Little Rock Nine” as well as Ruby Bridges, even though she was a bit younger than a teenager. Anyway, the boys’ clothing in particular remind me of that time, because US public schools didn’t have uniforms, but dressed more formally than today. Other countries have uniforms, so perhaps this also points to another time on a different continent, about an event I am not familiar with? This music video is a piece of art which is a flashpoint for conversations on vital subjects. It would be beneficial to listen & love each other. At least I know I need to listen & love. 🖤
This is what the hors means. "I looked, and behold, an ashen horse; and he who sat on it had the name Death; and Hades was following with him. Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by the wild beasts of the earth"
I had to stop in the middle of your reaction you’re such a visual detail precise and intelligent individual before the video was finished I had to let you know that respect God bless you
Super impressed--you got what the video was saying AS IT WAS ROLLING...it took me several watches to get what you got the first scroll through. Super woke brother. Thank you.
MsArt Garden I think that the only thing you can interpret differently is the end of the video where he is running in the darkness. A black running in the darkness and the system running to catch another black or everybody running against the consumerism controlled by the white man.
This is my interpretation of why he shot the church choir. Just a thought.. Many have interpreted this scene as a reference to the mass shooting of a church by white supremacist Dylan Roof. While this is a possibility, there is more to this shocking scene.Again, Gambino is the one who shoots down the choir, in the same nonchalant way he shot the guitar player in the head. Once again, we witness the violent takedown of a wholesome part of black culture. Throughout the history of America, churches have been a cornerstone of black communities, with Sunday services serving as a weekly gathering of local people sharing common values. This profound blend of spirituality and community lead many church leaders to become some of the most influential and outspoken leaders of black America.By shooting down the choir, Gambino - a black celebrity who is part of the elite entertainment system - symbolically shoots down a pillar of the black community, while rapping, once again, “This is America”. The violent, nihilistic, decadent, and materialistic values of pop culture clashes and “competes” with the spiritual and community-driven influence of gospel churches. For this reason, it needs to be (figuratively) shot down.There is something insidiously perverse about the choir scene. While, on the first watch, the scene is shocking and off-putting, repeated watches normalize this horrific scene of “people of God” being murdered while singing. Sonically, when the shooting occurs, the music switches from high-pitch voices to a bass-heavy beat, which is a somewhat satisfying auditory experience. Therefore, those who watch the video repeatedly actually anticipate the shooting and, unconsciously, end up enjoying it.
A lot of things triggered me in this video mainly the respecting of the gun as if something was needed to be said, as if there's a problem there and I have to strongly disagree because that is as it should.
That first shooting scene you'll note CG striles a very significsnt pose...it's based on an iconic image on a very famous Jim Crow law pamphlet...and its that image that's killing the black man...being treated as less...this is America... *hangs head in shame...
I've watched many This is America reaction videos and you seem to be the only person who actually gets it. You see the hidden messages and the art, and not just some outlandish video and a catchy song. I myself have watched the video numerous times just because there is so much happening in the background it's hard to catch on to all of it, and every time I've watched it I have been brought to tears. Childish Gambino is such a fantastic artist. Great video, by the way. Thank you for posting.
I'm in love with your reaction to videos. very intelligent and normally people would not enjoy a person who talks over a video but I have to say, the fact that you can accurately voice what comes to mind drowns out any doubt of your artistic and intellectual capability. In other words dude, it kept me watching. You sir have earned yourself a new subscriber who's gonna hit the notifications. lol.
You are such a wise and insightful man. I applaud you for seeing so many hidden messages. Definitely continue watching to interpret more as well continuing with this conversation. Humble Regards 💕
I am commenting to tell you I enjoyed your reaction video to THIS IS AMERICA by CHILDISH GAMBINO. I have watched the music video many times, and many reaction videos but I enjoyed yours and wanted to comment saying so.
Wow your review of this song I believe is spot on . You definitely paid attention to almost every detail and did not get distracted by the dancing. I’ve seen other so called reviews and I must agree with others, your take is very true.
I've watched several reaction videos just to gauge others interpretation of it. You, sir, have the most insightful reaction. You picked up on all the symbolism more so than any other reaction video I've watched so far.
My interpretation of the white horse is the evolution of the slave overseer to modern day police. But with the police car just sitting there with the lights on and the horse actually moving is indicative of society going backward or the police reverting to its original intent. The red cloth that the guns are wrapped in is indicative of the color red in the American Flag for Hardiness and Valor. Simply put, in our society guns equal patriotism. Sad thing is nothing will change. The "races" refuse to hear one another. Remember Rome entertained the people to cover up all the BS the politicians of that time did. And we are severely entertained.
Awesome review. Wanted to add what the horse meant to me...Death/Pestilence riding in on a pale horse. This horse and entity is spoken of in the book of Revelation. The last book in the bible.
Impressed you picked up the gun cloth thing at the first watch. Plus it's a red cloth symbolic of red America. The 17 seconds pause in music is for Parkland.
Mr. Valchiria, I am truly enjoying reading everyone's comments about this infectious video! My personal take on one particular scene where his eyes are wide open filled with fear as he runs through a dark cold place, leeds me to imagine him reflecting upon his forefathers who most of them lost their lives as they tried to escape from their masters during the darkest times of slavery!...... Few hundred years later however-mentally still enslaved and running from personal fears of an unpredictable future!..... I believe there will not be another video quite like this thought-provoking compilation anytime soon!...... The symbolism throughout the video is by far overwhelming!.... All this history that has taken place from the time of slavery, ( if you will) until current times, compiled and acted out in a video under 5 minutes long is profound!!!! I too will be following Mr. Glover's musical art and anything else he creates and puts out there for the public to engage and enjoy! He is truly a genius!!!!
Happy to have come across your reaction, FrankValchiria, as you brought up cultural contexts and visual details others missed--such as the African musical roots at the beginning of the video, which was transplanted to America along with the Africans seized as slaves. Right on: "As soon as violence is committed, clean it up, nothing happened, let's move on." Also the ambiguity at the end, one can't tell if the others are running with him, or after him.
The fact that you didn't seem to be listening to much of the lyrics and yet intuitively understood the meaning of the video speaks volumes to both Childish Gambino's talent as a director as well as your intelligence
MrBiggrim it represents how we run away from our issues instead of standing our ground and finding a solution to the problem. That's why he is running away from the room that has all the crazy shit going down.
Properly Gaming Yet, the character portrayed by Gambino helped to create the "crazy shit", especially the murders. When it comes time to face the "music", he takes off, evading responsibility.
Properly Gaming I interpreted it as Gambino being chased by a mob, as he was out in front. So many interpretations can be made, none are necessarily wrong. AMERICA has a HUGE problem period-- violence, guns, racism, etc; that can't be debated. Glad it's being discussed.
I'm not sure about him causing the crazy shit. I see his character as being the story teller demonstrating humanities crazy shit. Yet he also recognises his part in the story as the Black entertainer distracting us from it all. That said, when asked about the meaning of it all Glover said he wants us to see whatever we see. Its for us to interpret it and take what we want to take from it. I agree with Properly Gaming. My take on the end scene is that he, like everybody else is running scared of the crazy shit (the darkness), so scared that they fail to stop (the light being the solutions) and will just keep repeating the crazy shit due to fear.
I don't know how many times you watched this before you shot this video. You did a great job of understanding what all the significance behind the music and dancing. Great job.
Your commentary was the first time (in quite a few commentaries) that I've heard anyone say "They take care of the guns better than the outcome/victims that the gun violence has caused. And it really clicked for me. Guns have more protections, and lobbyists, and freedoms, in our country than our own citizens have. Damn.
Can I just emphasize that no matter our ethnic background.....we are all still American, let's not ever forget that!,white people were just as crucial in the abolitionist effort,we are not foreign to one another.....let's put aside petty insignificant differences and continue to build with one another, after all, many whites died side by side their black brothers in our struggle as Americans
Renore I was reading your comment on the "This is America " review video with Frank Valchiria. It appears that you meant to type "interpretation" instead of "interruption".
