Childish Gambino "This Is America" Official Video Reaction!

[@jibber-qo2zd]

Literally everything in this video has a meaning, from facial expressions to the 17 second pause towards the end (one second for every death in the Parkland school shooting). It would not be a waste of your time to explore it deeper.

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Yes I looked into it and it’s crazy!!!

[@neicoanderson1871]

What's crazy is this isn't even a "new" song, yet this resonates more and more every year. He's a genius! Every bit of that video was well thought out, so much symbolism. From the bag over the guys head with that first shot. (Just another number, faceless, no one cares), how they take the guns carefully and drag the bodies away (we value guns over lives), Death (the Horseman), the line/shot about "this is a celly, that's a tool" (double meaning of how we can record to defend ourselves but also how jails are used systematically to oppress), referencing how poc have never been safe in churches (more that once, even recently have black men and women died at the hands of white supremacists in a place of worship), showing how we get distracted by media and forget the chaos, and even everyone running from him at the end when he's unarmed (an unarmed black man is almost always viewed as a threat for no damn reason)... This video will be remembered for generations, and should be.

[@pablonava5458]

You're definetly right about this Neico

[@LisaMarie51968]

This is Deep! My man is a genius!!! The beginning deals with Jim Crow era, it’s truly deep and every action has a meaning, and yes the church shooting was exactly what you thought!

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Yeah he’s a genius so midden hidden messages omg

[@MidnaBoa]

I also didn't see this video until a few days ago. And now I'm just so obsessed. Notice how when he shoots someone, someone comes up with a red cloth and takes the gun away with care, while the bodies are dragged away or left without a care. I think it shows how so many view gun rights as so much more important than actual lives. Also, 'grandma told me, get your money' hit me hard. After slavery, I think there was an expectation that everything would be ok. Black people were told that they were free now and could get the american dream. But the american dream has never been a truly good thing. Even white people have been turned into bar codes under this system. And black people were forced into that, and still had to deal with the injustice of policies that would target them on top of that.

[@MidnaBoa]

Also, many have pointed out that Gambino may be playing the part of america in this video. If that's true, I see the ending as the people finally waking, having enough and coming after him. Which is interesting, seeing as what's happening today!

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Interesting points!

[@zero2champion419]

The scene after the cut with the cars = Each Car represents a police shooting of a citizen in their car in the year the video was filmed. If you notice, each car has a door open or window busted showing where the police shot or drug out the driver/passengers. Then you see the music artists (Childish and Sia) on top of the cars, they are the Media's Distractions used to guide the public to not focus on the injustice of the police shootings, they are literally entertaining you on top of the tragic deaths that took place. SIA is either a backup puppet / Jim Crow waiting to perform in case Childish decides to stop dancing, or she's sitting on top of another event smoking (as was Childish after he did his song and dance). Also in the car scene "(get your money) BLACK MAN! BLACK MAN! / 1 2 3 GET DOWN!" The police are radioing it's a black man and giving to the count of 3 to get on the ground/ The Entertainment Industry is giving him to the count of 3 to get back to dancing. The smoking in general can be seen as an after "action" action, such as the stereotype that after sex couples like to have a cigarette, in this case after America has been... violated. The Travon Martin Father Look-a-like with the hoodie on who is now somehow playing the guitar again represents how quickly these tragic events become fuel for more entertainment. But my favorite by far is that throughout the entire video, Childish Jim Crowbino used a pistol, and an AK47 and it was business as usual, America isn't afraid of Terrorist with a gun gunning down a church, America isn't afraid of murderers killing indiscriminately (the guy in the beginning being hooded). But at the end When childish makes an empty gun gesture with his hands, everyone loses their damn minds and run for their lives. America seems to be terrified of an unarmed black man. To the point that he's a threat that makes police everywhere fear for their lives. What do you think of the video and how it relates to the events going on today?

[@themichanic_]

Possibly the most culturally symbolic and intriguing video ever made in this century.

[@roslynnflores3276]

I'm only halfway through the video and it's a million times crazier than I thought!I'm absolutely amazed. Saw down below that there was a breakdown video, I def need to check that out.

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Yeah the breakdown video definitely helped me!

[@caylapelkey3305]

My goodness the complexity, compassion, it ain't the message, its the message, just effin wow! Wanna cry, laugh, be mad & let it go at the same time! Yaaas!

[@yvetterene]

It’s symbolic. I think. See how distracted you are on his dance, clothes etc? That’s how society acts. Society gets so caught up in mess that’s not relevant. Glazes over what’s REALLY important.

[@StoryTimewithMissAnna]

Oof, there are SO many messages, levels, & allusions to society in this video. It's freaking genius and deserves a college course on it. The kids are following him, and despite being surrounded by killings and chaos they are focused on his dance moves and staying distracted. A lot of folks have helped you already, so I will try to remember what I read below and not repeat anything. ~The man playing guitar at the beginning, is killed and dragged off while the gun is taken away with care and reverence, also at the end when he's back playing he's got the shroud on. To me that speaks to society's willingness to embrace (like, embrace to point of appropriation most of the time) Black culture without regard for the life of the people who make it up. ~The AGE of the cars!! It struck me the other day when rewatching in light of recent events--those old cars throughout the video make me think of the Rodney King time period, and the lyrics at the end talking about owning expensive foreigns(cars)--is to me a statement on how the more things change the more they stay the same. We've been fighting against this since forever, but the modern mind often counts from the LA riots. And maybe a statement on consumerism too, but that's harder for me to formulate. ~ The Jim Crow expressions go hand in hand with the rest of his appearance, I watched some great analysis videos-and everyone seems to see something different and pick up on things other people don't. I wish I could remember the details of the analysis of his chains, pants, & hair coupled with the minstrel references. ~The guy on the horse--when this came out symbolized to a lot of people the image of Death on a Pale Horse--but honestly since those amazing horseback BlackLivesMatter protesters showed up in Austin...I see that horse guy SO much better. I see him emerging unscathed from the fire of death from the police he leaves behind him. ~ Did you notice SZA at the end yet? Sitting on the car hood looking like a Queen. ~A guy is pushed from the balcony as the dancing starts again after the church shooting ~The kids on the balcony during the incredibly prescient lyrics "this is a celly, it's a tool" all have on masks--which struck me as odd at the time (2yrs ago), but NOW--holy cow, it is kind of chilling how on target that imagery is. ~It took many viewings, and then several analysis videos before I felt like I caught most of the stuff in here, and yet I'm sure I've still overlooked or under-analyzed a symbol or two or more.....

[@beautyandsoul5580]

At the beginning of the scene is the Jim crowe. The tribal dancing at the beginning and the sheet of the head with the shooting. The Charleston church shooting toward the middle.

[@ItsJandree]

this video is so real...that is America

[@TrVlogs82]

I forgot but it's a reason for everything in the video. They did a breakdown a few days after it came out.

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Yeah I watch the breakdown video it was wild!!

[@MsPhillyG]

Thank you for the information I never watched the breakdown, all I remember was that the choreographer for the kids dancing and much of the dance was actually in the video. Also someone mentioned awhile back is he was shirtless so you could really see his body movements. I'm sure but I'm about to go look for the breakdown video.

[@TrVlogs82]

@@MsPhillyG No problem.

[@fatherjoncrypty4702]

There is so much symbolism with the horse. Right before the horse it pans to kids in face masks 😷 followed by looting and a reaper like character on a white horse. The rider on the white horse in revelations is the bringer of death 💀

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Soooo much it’s crazy lol

[@f.b.i4802]

This is the deepest song I’ve ever seen omg

[@auntieellenready3038]

Ow my, that's rough to watch. Much love and respect

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Yeah it’s crazy! Thank you for watching 🙏🏾

[@waliyyalyons5506]

Death is coming on that white horse!! This video is genious!!

[@LIFEWITHEMMANUEL]

Stay blessed my brotha🤞🏾

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Always bro! Same to you ❤️🙏🏾

[@LIFEWITHEMMANUEL]

Showtime Reacts you know it brotha. 💯💯

[@roslynnflores3276]

I always wanted to watch this video and never did. Thanks for reacting to it!!

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Thank you for watching!

[@douniakochi6549]

See how their dancing it distracts you from all the stuff in the backround.

[@philliphughes8939]

This needs to be heard in 2020

[@tobiashoyden2644]

2022 too

[@SlamboHamburg]

2023 as well

[@Chalky52]

You can't see what your eyes are seeing. You have to ask WOW.

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Subliminal messages for you

[@erikgilson1687]

He's portraying white people's stereotypes or black Americans for the first part of the video

[@morghann21313]

The video is a critic on American culture and how we view black men in society. I would suggest looking at the lyrics as the way the production was done it is hard to sort out the message from the distractions. Some say he is topless because he is wearing the Confederate soldier uniform for blackmen during the revolution others believe that he is topless because America tends to see black men either as criminals or as sex objects used primarily for entertainment value rather than for their knowledge, skill, personalities, and other traits. Throughout the video Childish Gambino and the kids are distracting you from everything that is going as is what happens in society. Similar to why there were gladiators, the masses need a distraction to keep from seeing the truth and rising up. As everyone else mentioned, maybe react to a breakdown video. Additional suggestions: Joyner Lucas - Dear America kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3zUZoiQhLGUY6M Tom MacDonald - American Dreamz kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5bcf3-lh7yXl9E

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Thank you for this!

[@morghann21313]

@@ShowtimeReacts you are every welcome :) I hope you had the time to take a look at a in-depth video breaking it down.

[@umamitea8241]

Yeah... he's a ringleader and an antagonist. But he's also America... He's doing these awful things, but still giving people their entertainment while the world burns.

[@ScoundrullonYouTube]

It's crazy cuz in the very beginning and during the church shooting scene there was more care Shown for taking the weapon away then there was for the people on the ground

[@jOnYbOi231]

watch and pause 6:39 The video came out in 2018...

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Woahhhhhh

[@johnnylee8762]

Wtf!!!??!?!! I had a few beers but are those masks???!!

[@billdowling8428]

I needed to watch the breakdown video. I would've never gotten all the subliminal visuals.

[@JezzyWolf]

I enjoyed your reaction to this powerful piece of art. Thanks for this! You mentioned that you were focusing on more music. Have you reacted to any Fever 333? They are amazing.

[@ShowtimeReacts]

I haven’t! You have a link?

[@JezzyWolf]

@@ShowtimeReacts Absolutely! Here is one to consider: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5_RnppvishofLM

[@JezzyWolf]

@@ShowtimeReacts or even this one... kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqaxfX2riLp3p9E

[@MsPhillyG]

Heeeey Tyrell I guess Im.the first to view.😊😊😊. I absolutely looooove this video

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Much love!! ❤️

[@MelRicanDePonce]

You show exactly what is going on.

[@davidk.8686]

Honest reaction.

[@vroomvroom2749]

Right message, man!

[@Denise-wj4yy]

Yes the church scene people running around in the background..all kinds of mayhem

[@valdickson9261]

Reference Jim Crow & the music industry. So relevant. Sadly.

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Thank you!

[@katstarczan8415]

I read somewhere, that he's wearing trousers worn, few years back, by male slaves on plantations.His naked chest only add to it.This is America.Love Childish Gambino.Him, Ren and Chinchilla are my favorite artist at the moment. All not connected to the Diddy drama. So smart and sweet and human.

[@diablo4166]

THIS IS AMERICA!!

[@bobbyjohnson5238]

Good take, enjoyed the video

[@rochellebell2824]

Im hoping or sure the video had a meaning. But, this one went over my head.

[@ShowtimeReacts]

I watched a breakdown video of it!

[@realcourte]

Unfortunatly, It shows that a song don't change reality. Maybe "some" peoples will learn something out of it. :o Violence everywhere... Farwest 2020. Peoples rendered crazy at the end. My humble opinion.

[@waliyyalyons7137]

Charleston church shooting, remember the cops took the white killer to McDonald's before taking him to jail. This video 📷 s brilliant!!

[@xavierservia8516]

Yo are de best showtime

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Much love!

[@bonniesmitth9744]

Yes

[@ryangilligan40]

And he rode on a pale horse; his name was Death.

[@Brodzzzzz]

How had you not seen the film clip for 2 years? :\

[@bonniesmitth9744]

Behold the man on the pail horse for he death

[@OlezhaMalezha]

Очень красивый ) любая ориентация не выдержит 😊

[@johncarter1288]

Basically its 400 years of American history in 4 minutes. The bad is that is not a pretty story, specially for African Americans. He being shirtless to me is representing slaves same with his weird dancing style, kinda like tribal! Brilliant Gambino video and loved your reaction as usual!

[@evloh]

Its about "blackspoitation" and the black minstrel entertainer trope. About how black culture is celebrated as along as you fit into this little niche' of selling your culture for the entertainment of America but you aren't really considered more than a source of amusement as opposed to a respected human being. But, what other option do you have because, well, this is America.

[@redhourglass8]

What does everyone think now? Not so outrageous anymore...

[@brokutaultrainstinct5617]

Go to the break down video of this is america

[@tracylf5409]

CG shows the public's mass ignorance.

[@mohbitam1217]

هناك لقطات لم تلاحظها #اولا 6:18 ساحة حرب #ثانيا 6:24 حالة انتحار #ثالثا 6:27 شرطة محاربة الشغب #رابعا 6:37 اطفال جامعة يضعون كمامة كأنهم مختطفون و يحملون هواتف ذكية يعني مسيطر عليهم من وسائل التواصل و الاعلام التكنولوجيا عموما #خامسا هي الاخطر 6:46 الحصان الابيض يعني العدالة أو الحرية و الفارس مربوط الرأس بالأسود يعني مقيد الصلاحيات و يجري نحو اتجاه مجهول .....؟!!!!!!!

[@bonniesmitth9744]

The pants are confederation style pants

[@libra198888]

Хорошая САТИРА

[@aixmhros]

sorry for messing your perfect 666 likes

[@mercuryangel9223]

Not much reaction when he uses two real weapons but everyone disappears when he points his finger. How many (black men) have been shot and killed in America for having no weapons? Everything in the background represents what is happening in America but so many are distracted by the dancers and music. Danny Glover is extremely talented and EVERY move, expressions are telling a story of America.

[@beckgang2799]

Hi

[@ShowtimeReacts]

Yoooo

[@TheCountBlackula1978]

Dude you paused it to ask about his shirt? Evidently he choose not to wear a shirt. Whats the problem with that

[@miayajohnson9283]

Please react to “im not racist”

[@ShowtimeReacts]

I’ve actually watched that video before!

[@bobbyjohnson5238]

And why dance with school kids?

[@LeeMaitland]

Everything in this video has meaning, what it means to each individual is bound to differ. For instance he's wearing Confederate trousers, the guns were taken away gently while the dead people weren't. What I get from this is the way that the real America is drowned out by pointless singing and dancing, dangled in front of us to distract everyone from actually addressing the problems, such as guns because they make certain people rich. The police came for him when he lit up though, America has around 5% the worlds population and around 25% the worlds incarcerated population, most of which were for non-violent crimes such as this... America is factually the least free country on planet Earth. This video began to pull back the curtain on America, bizarrely, Trump has torn the curtain down, revealing America for all to see. Take heart that now the problems are front and center, loud as hell, we can all begin to try and fix them.

[@sandrawenholz2080]

I'm sorry I didn't like it

[@victoryt9]

There is a lot going on in the video. I've seen it a ton of time and just found out that the cars at the end are supposed to be representative of those killed when getting pulled over and that the woman sitting on the car with the jacket is meant to be Diamond Reynolds. I might be wrong but that clicked in my head while watching it now.

[@kevinhenderson5928]

That's Sza sitting on the Rodney King car.

[@victoryt9]

@@kevinhenderson5928 Thank you. I wasn't sure. I was just watching and pondering. The symbolism in this video is always so striking.