Childish Gambino’s “This is America” is a nation’s self-portrait highlighting its flaws while seeking celebration for its ability to do so in a stylistic performance by Donald Glover. Like, “Hey! I’m pointing out how I’m fucked up, but don’t I get points for doing it with panache?” The answer to that would be yes.
I am not here to ridicule the art or discredit the artist. The imagery, juxtaposition, symbolism, and other creative-techniques-I-don’t-even-know-the-name-of
all work to deliver a polished and poignant piece of art. “This is America” carries sophisticated motifs that are accessible without being oversimplified. “Get yo money black man” repeats in the song, breaking the fourth wall to let America know we recognize the brainwashing propaganda that often baits and switch ambition at the expense of black casualties, apathy, and deferred dreams.
Where I struggle with “This is America” is that I’m not exactly sure what I’m supposed to do with it. When it comes to analyzing art, I’m formally unqualified yet civically vetted to form and share opinions. I think it’s safe to say that Glover wasn’t intending to simply make art that could be admired. This isn’t the Mona Lisa. He had an agenda, and while admiration may or may not be a part of his agenda, the song and video are positioned as a social commentary.
But what makes an effective social commentary? Is it style and substance, or compelling others to adjust their behaviors and beliefs? Am I supposed to post video clips on social media and say, “Hey, this work is genius! Did you notice how he (insert evidence/examples of how he used a clever technique to relay a point)?” I don’t fault people for doing that because it’s celebrating the work of a thoughtful artist and helping others to understand the messages. You best believe I read several think pieces on the video trying to unpack things I may have missed after watching it several times. Even if circulating ideas that unpack the cryptic themes in the video is a course of action, where does that lead as it relates to being a piece of effective social commentary? If it’s for story arc and presentation, then I feel mildly disappointed that its main contribution was portraying substance through style. As a black American, I don’t see the novelty in reminding me that America is exploitive and oppressive. I’m pretty aware of the ways in which society reminds black people of their value. Which again leads me to, what am I supposed to do with this really cool piece of art? Am I supposed to show it to white people and draw conclusions about how (un)problematic they are based on their response? Regardless if a white person “gets it,” the work still stands on its own merit and doesn’t need white validation. Perhaps I expected more from Donald Glover since his show Atlanta has often left me with things to consider or analyze in new ways.
I guess when I zoom out and think of the video’s usefulness, I have to think beyond how it doesn’t offer me a new insight or call-to-action. Although if I wanted, I could be resolute in seeing Glover’s confident skinny-with-a-side-of love-handles physique as an affirmation for my quest towards complete body acceptance.
As with all good black art, I think of the students I’ve taught/my platform as an educator that curates curricular resources. The youth in the video provide an excellent lens for classroom analysis and discussion. Is the dancing veneer a symbol for being complicit in shallow apathy or a coping mechanism steeped in perseverance and resistance? As thoughts of how this art can be used with my students came to me, I finally realized what made this an effective social commentary. Beyond the art having multiple entry points for analysis, it compelled me to make sense of it and respond in ways that I felt were meaningful. I was expecting for the song/video to tell me what to do or teach me something new, when really, that responsibility lies on me. I am so American…wanting Childish Gambino to do all the work for me. This is America.
