Childish Gambino - This Is America (Official Video) | REACTION 

This unfortunately aged very well.

"America has never been great for people with our skin colour." Damn, that hit hard.

the "Get down" when he's on the car is so good... Get down on the dance floor / get down on the ground yelled by police

Two things I noticed haven't been brought up in these reactions. When Donald raises his arms in a shooting motion without a gun people run from him. Which I think represents the idea that unarmed black men are deemed as a threat even with nothing in their hands. And the old abandoned cars he's dancing on represents the black men who get shot by police at routine traffic stops

Bro this reaction was sincere and genuine, people keep dancing after a black man got a head shot, I just don't understand how hard is to people to see the message behind the song, the dance and stuffs like that.

America. Where we wrap a gun, hand it safely to-someone for safe keeping and drag the body awake carelessly. Care more about the gun than the body

I really appreciate the observation that America "has never been great for people of color, how can you make it great AGAIN?" Thank you so much for creating this video.

7:01 when it’s silence for 17 seconds that’s how many people that got killed in parkland high school

When Dub says, “don’t pay attention to the dancing...” exactly

The dancing is a reference to Jim Crow propaganda and other dance moves that were created by people of color and used by white people with no thoughts about oppression or other problems people of color face. It's also a reference to how we are so distracted by the entertainment people of color provide the world, we don't see all the violence and injustice happening in the background.

The more I think about what I'm seeing in his video the more the messege seems so clear and out there, yet so well hidden. And that was precisely Gambino's point. He sees America as split between two parts: "The surface" - catchy beat, smiles, dancing, having fun, the "face" of America, a face of happiness and economic stability And "Under the surface" - violence, hatred, brutality, squalor. But the true genius is the way he plays around and alternates between them: 1: The harsher side always hiding in the background, sometimes blurry, yet taking up MOST of the picture as a whole (people running, ruined cars, chaos and what not. 2: The happy side always in the front, always in the center regardless of what is happening in the background (dancers are well dressed, always smiling and energetic) And lastly, the protagonist played by Gambino himself whose purpose is to *distract* us. Whenever something wrong is happening in the background he's always making sure to keep us interested in him as if saying: "DON'T LOOK AT THEM LOOK AT ME! look how happy and silly I am". But for a few moments he breaks the illusion by doing something extreme, seemingly out of the blue, top give us an acute taste of what's "behind the surface" only to REVERT back to the happy silly side to prove to us how it's so easy to forget the horror we just saw and go return to being joyful, to the surface, to being entranced by nice beats and performers. Great use of artistic tools to get his point across

Gambino did the Jim Crowe pose at the begin of the video when he shot the guy.

I am a 46 year old white woman and I completely agree with you. This video should be shown in high schools everywhere. This should be studied. There are so many things in here that people don't even know about because they haven't been educated. Thank you for sharing. ❤

I was genuinely moved seeing these 4 gentlemen pause at the end. You can tell they were connected to what they saw because the video really shows what people of color deal with in their lives. Thank you for sharing your reactions.

One of the more genuine reaction videos I've seen. So many are over the top and fake. Thanks for posting it.

Isn't he wearing a slave pants? This video is a message, every detail is a reference

I’m two years late, I just wanted to point something out Notice that at the beginning the gun he shot the guy with was taken and handled with care, While the body of the man was dragged along the floor (Later you can see the body drop from the top floor in the background) I’m going to guess that it means america Cared more for the weapon than the victim. Even in the church shooting, The gun was taken in a red cloth and the bodies just laid there. Also “This a celly, That’s a tool” *Camera points to people on their phones* This is clearly showing how people want to film everything and post it, Using their phones as a tool and not calling the police or anything. (i’m bad at explaining sorry) The man with the black hood on the white horse in the background was a biblical symbol for the apocalypse. /Imma guess JUST GUESS about this next part/ Notice how the man that was using the guitar was back on the chair when childish gambino was dancing on the top of the red car, I’m *GUESSING* That could mean that the Guitarist that died could easily be replaced with another guitarist. Notice how they are dancing upfront while everything goes on in the background? Could mean that the media is a distraction to the things that are happening in america right now. Another thing, The people dressed up dancing behind gambino could be taken as (white?) citizens that follow americas rules and laws who aren’t being harmed, following gambino (america) while everything is going down.

Guy who said "he's charging up" was NOT WRONG.

Notice how every time he shoots somebody and somebody takes the gun “it’s protected”

It's amazing how everyone always reacts the same when the bloke gets shot, with shock and dismay. Ot doesn't matter black white or asian everyone abhores the needless violence and death. It speaks volumes on the human character.

The guy in the red hat’s response early in is exactly what CG is talking about. You’re shocked someone got shot for a second and then distracted by the dancing and back having fun

woow yall smart, all the reactions i watched people were missing the point, great video

The second I saw Childish, shirtless wearing those confederate style pants... I knew what was happening. Great video, even better commentary on what is happening in this country. I didn’t have any real empathy for what was actually happening in this nation, until my son was born, he’s two and half now, he is of mixed “ race” my wife, his mother is black... I am worried for him as he grows into a man, hoping that he doesn’t have to watch the news showing minorities being murdered! I truly understand now. Fantastic video! Truth, who was the “ good ol days” good for? This video and the song are powerful! Those offended by what he’s saying and showing, are the same that are complicit, complacent and even guilty of committing these crimes.

The cashier looked at the amount and said, "Your bill is 1950, a great year." I asked, "For whom?"

I somehow found myself going back to these reaction videos of this incredible and important video by Childish Gambino and stumbled upon yours. Re-watching this and seeing yalls reaction made me pretty emotional. I appreciate yalls real reaction. Phew. This is such an important dialogue .

I believe this video depicts the evolution of the Black in America. It starts off with African-style music and Childish Gambino is separated from the man playing the guitar. That separation is Africa. I believe when he stands with his back turned, he is in Africa. As he turns around to face the camera, the faces he makes are expressive of what Africans were feeling as they "crossed over" to be slaves in America. By the time the Black Man's evolution in America is complete (after the slaves had been liberated, after the Civil Rights Movement ends) Blacks have been made to turn on themselves (i.e. the shooting of the first man). However this video is genius in that it depicts CG's character as a representation of both the resulting violence of the Black Man against himself, yet also represents a violent American against that same Black Man.

The strange dancing movements that he is doing represent the character Jim crow and in turn Jim crow laws

Definitely a great reaction fellas. I'm glad that this was finally able to post. This is definitely a deep video with alot of messages that can be taken many ways. Donald is definitely a very talented person.

Never seen a video before from you guys, but great, honest reaction. :) It's an amazing video that will go down in history

I respect how this was a much calmer reaction. A lot of us had the same feeling. We have to remember that this is happening. Only we can change it.

I also think this song, and even more so the video, is a highly accurate reflection of things..."nothing to see over here folks" and the happy dancing and singing as though it's "business as usual" is meant to redirect your attention from what you think you might have seen.

That stunned silence at the end was the best reaction I've seen.

Did you notice how in the beginning their faces were hype and by the end they were really understanding what the whole song is about.

I think him not wearing a shirt represents the objectification of black men as sex objects. At 6:20 in your video, where he stands there like a real man, showing his strength with his back to the camera, flexing his back, he looks like a real man just ever so briefly, his whole vibe brought me to tears, then when the camera comes to face him, he slips into a non-threatening pose, almost a caricature - gambino is a very talented artist

i appreciate your reactions. very real. the video is awesome, but how it affects people is the real message. thank you for your honesty.

Your reactions were great, I felt the same way. We in America have become so numb to the violence and continue to live our lives like nothing is going on. The violence is getting so common that we don't even pay attention to it anymore. The drugs, violence, no compassion for our neighbors is destroying us. All of this is happening in our backyards, the next street over, the store on the corner...death is everywhere and we turn a blind eye to it. We need to wake up and realize it's real and you never know when something like this is going to happen to you or someone you care about. Peace and love to all of you and God bless.

I had read elsewhere that the second to last scene - where you see gambino dancing on top of the car - shows (probably only a portion of) the exact year-make-model of cars belonging to targeted, young, black men murdered by police.

Rewatching this after 4 years. Still one of the best reactions to one of the most important song/video of this century. 2022, we still haven't learned from our wrongs

I learned from a teacher that the way Donald holds the gun in the beginning symbolizes the Jim Crow laws.

I've been looking for reaction on this video since yesterday.. you guys are the only who really understand what is happening in the video..

This video is one of the most powerful videos ever made. Right of the bat you hit it without knowing it. “What happened, it was just happy” Literally what the song is saying. It displays the distractions brought upon us when something happens, using other forces to distract us from reality and the big racial issues that are running this country. He’s absolutely speaking for the black man, which being white I can’t even begin to imagine the hardships of your community, I wish I could learn more and get a better understanding from a different view point. I appreciate this music video/song more than you know, the more awareness we have, the better off we’ll be as a people.

Anyone notice the white horse in the background with a riot around it 6:50 now what does that remind me of.

THIS VIDEO IS MORE RELEVANT NOW THAN 2 YEARS AGO 🤔 THIS NEEDS TO BE ON REPEAT! NICE REACTION TOO

First of all great initial reaction to the video. Way to stay true to yourself. There is so much to see and visualize in this video as well as link up to the message of the song itself. But main take home point is that America is too busy being entertained to address all the chaos that is going on and has been going for decades. We the people of this great country are too busy getting our entertainment fix that we do not see the horse of the coming Apocalypse, or acknowledge the silent slow death of suicide. America is too reverent of its guns and rights over the right to life of man. That people stand by and record with their cellphones but are mute to intervene in the situation. And we the people chase false idols of wealth (like cars) that are now considered old junk. That man itself is not seen as a person and only a statistic. That when we awake and realize we are in the nightmare that is life we have no escape. Now off I go to make my $, get my fix and slowly become another faceless statistic.

It was a privilege to see this reaction video, gentlemen.... Big man’s two cents was on point...and yes all the sweet stuff is a distraction while reality is happening. Great call, Gents. This is America. 400 years in 4 minutes

This is one of the best reactions I have seen to this video.

from europe, stay strong especialy in these times, YOUR NOT ALONE. the world got you!!

The fact that we have these awesome grown men, analyzing and having a good conversation on this speaks volumes for how far black men have come. This is more of what we need. Positive black Male role models! I'm all about it. Let's change this messed up world. We have the power.

Love y'all commentary on this.❤️❤️

Excellent work on Gambino's part all around but especially how the moment they started laughing at his antics is the moment before he shoots the choir and drops the bottom out for everybody watching.

"he pulled through" followed by a thumbs up. LMAO

It's so perfectly done. Happy tone happy music dancing, the reality of "this is america" hitting and him saying "don't catch you slippin up" like stop getting distracted by my dancing stop getting distracted, the moment it gets happy again and distracts you, shooting, "this is america dont' catch you slippin up" we kept slipping up even watching the video like "haha whats he doing" boom.

Thank you for your thoughtful commentary.

Yall legit💯 thats why i mess with this channel. I havent seen a more credible reaction. And the song on the outro got my girl sayin "who dat tho". So u got another fan lol

Perfectly said, "let's say make America's economy great again and not the nation itself". People of this country have decided that the economy is more important than the people itself. Either that or they've shown their true colors and use the economy as a means of justification for supporting discrimination. Great genuine reaction. You guys are the best. Much love.

This video is an incredible piece of art. See, hes the distraction. We see the dancing, the trend, and its covering the real issues. Something to distract you from real life . Incredible

In the Bible, Revelations 6:8 (KJV) reads: “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and the name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.” According to the scripture, the appearance of four horsemen signifies the oncoming apocalypse - with death represented by the final, white one. 6:49

This vid may be 2 years ago but this song gives me chills I love it

What I love the most about this video is how ITC transitioned and the tone for them changed from the start to the end of the video. At first the 4 of them are laughing and laid back expecting this to be an ordinary music video they react to and then when the video ends they realize what they just watched after reflecting on it all

This is a powerful watch. Thank you.

Aye man I agree with yall 100%. Look there's a lot in videos we dont see bc of distractions

Yessssss. My favorite song and video so far. Thank you clutch!

Thank you for an honest reaction. The fact or has never been great from your perspective hits really hard. I'm a 40 year old black man, married to a 39 year old white woman. We are raising our son who we love with all our heart to be a good strong black man, and doing all we can to make sure that this country and world are as good as it can be for him when he is a black man in this world.

America really has never been “great” but we have the chance to finally make it GREAT! Time for real change, time for LOVE no more hate

I really enjoyed hearing all of your takes on this video. "All the distractions..."

On point about America the being great again part.

this the kind of reaction which was the appropriate/real reaction i respect that

I'm Brazilian and I saw this reaction for the first time and I can feel the tension in the air at the end of the video

New Subscriber here, what a heartfelt reaction thank you so much ❤️

3:15 start haha

100% agree make the American economy great again..the reality is we're living in the most inclusive time in history yet black ppl are STILL at the bottom of the totem pole of equality

The 17 second silence in the music video is in memory of the 17 students killed at Parkland.

Thanks guys...in the clutch is too awesome

5:49 the guy with the navy shirt and white pattern, I love his reaction

The artist, the song, the video are Iconic! He drops so many nuggets of truth. Did any of y'all catch that Treyvon Martin's dad was the brother in the beginning of the video that sits down in the chair and starts playing the guitar only to be shot in the head? Epic!

when he shot the church choir i think it’s referring to that church shooting/bombing that happened 🤷🏾‍♀️i’m not sure if it was a bombing or shooting or both but something bad happened at a church and the scene with the kids on their phones describes how we are distracted by technology and social media even with such bad things that happen around the world

Bam ... just found this vid. Instant sub. Best from the Netherlands ... stay safe & healthy.

We 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' now This 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 man This 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 man 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

Nice reaction guys. Great outlook

When it 2020 and this song is speaking about what's happening right now..prophetic✌🖤🙏

Thanks for this, and your thoughts.

Beginning of the song he was under a trance or being hypnotized ( that’s why his body was fighting the dance and the music - m u sic ) and he had no control... Now when you reverse the video this is at the end and he doesn’t kill them... Seeing through the traps then to make his own choice and not kill because ...if you kill then you no light... I’m a free alpha g I’ll spirit leave here now

Best reaction to this song ive seen.

I remember reading something about this song that happened a couple of weeks ago that this song was originally was going to be a Drake diss but then when all the you know stuff that was happening you know with the church shootings and you know all the craziness in the world he changed up the lyrics and all of that and just gave us you know this is America what we got now

The fact that these black men didn't pick up on the movements of Gambino's facial expressions or the way hes body was positioned when he shot the dude just shows that not all black people know their history. His body language is that of jim crow. That's powerful right there!. Gambino is a muthafkn G.O.A.T

i have a question, where are from the squad... is my first time watching your reactions... lol its my first video on your channel, but i like that everybody say that about to the video.. i want a picture with the squad boys! i am from of Houston Texas, Cheers nice video brothers!!!

I’m sad I have only sen this video now, but I enjoy your opinions! Keep speaking the truth

Trill: you got the best reaction, I feel like were homies.

What’s fascinating is that this is about distraction. Watch how many times their eyes go right back to dancing no matter what is going on in the background. Fucking genuis.

I like how the two in the middle are looking at the back and genuinely concerned but the one in the left is just vibin to the song

A real good clip ...now i have an idea about what happend for real in america ...its what behind the scene

At the end... When the whole video goes down down down and we hear the drum beat also going down as if into a cave, diminishing more and more, and then the next scene is "the black man"(the protagonist of the story) running away from everything and EVERY BODY chasing him, whether they are chasing him to hunt him down or to be near him or to be with him or to be his friend or to be his enemy, I believe that all represents one thing: "This is hell. We are in hell." The entirety of the video, everything in it, all the expressions and information and music and lyrics and injustices and what it feels like to live LIFE for the protagonist, from the ending of slavery(the very beginning when he's being freed up to dance and have fun WHILE wearing Confederate soldier's pants with no shirt because he was enslaved and had NOTHING ELSE, up until now, in America), goes down at the end as an expression of the reality of this hell. I think that's what he's saying. I don't agree with it, but I think that's what he's saying, and REGARDLESS whether or not it's all true or it's all not true or some of it is and some of its not, IF ANYONE FEELS that is true, than for that person or those people, IT IS TRUE FOR THEM. So now the question begs... What is the answer for people who feel that way? Is it trying to convince them it is not true, is it confirming that it is true, or is it something else that serves the greatest purpose for people who feel that way? There really is only one answer...

Idk why I was dying laughing picturin the table grow a face in the intro and say "ay it's yaboi the table"

*When he pulls out the gun and kills the guy --* *Ross - 🙂 > 😐* *Trillbillybran - 😁 > 😮* *DubtheG - ☺️ > 🤨* *Joe - 😶 > 😶*

Late to the conversation, but I was revisiting this song, and I realized I hadn't watched yall's reaction. Honestly, The feeling is similar to most people I've discussed this song with. Personally, I can't relate directly to the struggle of the black man or woman in America. I haven't lived that life. I had my own struggles, coming up in an extremely poor, drug addled home, with abuse and neglect. America has always had problems, and they've always been buried beneath pretty pictures and entertainment. This song for me, illustrates something I didn't see, from my narrow up-bringing, focusing on just my own problem, something I didn't see until I was older. It's the cyclical nature of control for any minority in the United States. From where I sit, looking back, its so messed up to see the "equality" if you're an entertainer... if you're marketable.. It's all lies. The second any money is involved, the second it can make positive change, it's time to wipe the slate and knock the oppressed back down. Systems developed to keep the poor poor, the under educated and privileged in their 'place'. The globalization that's come with the internet has led to so much more opportunity for a marginalized people, who've endured criminal human rights violations for generations, a chance to truly make their own way. To Monetize themselves. To grow. It has it's pitfalls, the field still isn't even, but this song, this channel might not exist if not for the freedom that this medium affords. As individuals I'd like to think the majority of us as here for each-other. I've been watching you guys for a long long time, and I respect the candid nature that comes out on videos like this. I hope, that for all the feeling of America never having been great for yall, you know that many of us, many of the citizens that live next door, or across this nation, recognize the issues, and want to see them solved. Repression does nothing but bleed progress and potential for nothing. If nothing else, though I can't 'stand' I stand with you. Peace, Love, and Prosperity.

Never knew this when I first watched the video but the gentleman in white at the beginning is Trayvon Martins father. The poor man, I know his heart is still aching.

That join hit right on target bro 👌 I felt that shit 💯

Always good vibes yall

One of the few videos where the background is just as important as foreground. 'Behold, a pale white horse...'

These guys got it a lot better than most other people Jesus. It’s such a good and important video for people to not just watch but understand.