Using Pop Culture as a Form of Activism: Childish Gambino and Beyoncé Depicting Racism in America Today
Making connections between music videos and the written word, I analyzed how racism is still prevalent in America and overlooked by the government through forms of white supremacy and mass incarceration. I analyzed the themes in Childish Gambino’s music video “This Is America” and compared them to themes found in Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” and other literary works from this semester.
The “This Is America” music video by Childish Gambino addresses the violence today’s black community experiences. Through costuming, choreography and props, Childish Gambino addresses different aspects of racism in America’s history and show their repercussions in today’s society. Many different articles featured in the Huffington Post, Time, CNN and other outlets interpret the specifics of the video and expose the clear message throughout. One main message throughout is about mass incarceration. In particular, the racial profiling and white supremacist actions performed by those who have access to guns and privilege. Childish Gambino’s outfit represents the confederate uniform and he portrays America. I analyzed his character as a symbolism of white, racist America. A figure performing these horrible acts and trying to distract the audience member through his dancing: a portrayal of media and pop culture used as a way to distract from real world issues.
The first issue Gambino addresses in his video is the historical use of blackface and the connection to cultural appropriation in today’s culture. The first pose of Gambino with his hip out shooting someone represents Jim Crow. Jim crow was one of the first uses of blackface and a way to portray slavery and back culture as a form of entertainment. We watched a video in class about using traditionally African American hair and rap as a part of white popular culture. Beyoncé makes a statement in her Lemonade video on the importance of black woman’s hair and its references to Daughters of the Dust.
Another common theme throughout is gun violence. Portraying America, Childish Gambino uses various guns for murder throughout the video. The gun is carefully taken out of the shot, symbolizing America’s preference for preserving gun rights rather than human rights. The use of guns in this video specifically target black people. The shooting of the choir represents the mass shooting at a black church in South Carolina by a white supremacist. Another instance of black-targeted gun violence is police brutality. In Childish Gambino’s video he references the constant videotaping of police brutality that goes viral. Beyoncé also referenced police brutality in the “hands up don’t shoot” scene.
All of these images represent a broken system. It encompasses the idea of Isabel Wilkerson’s constant feedback loop. We feel like as a nation we are pushing past our history of slavery, but systemic blockages keep the nation from progressing onward. Dr. King wrote in his book “Why We Can’t Wait” during the Civil Rights Movement that they put their faith in their oppressors to make changes. He declared that they put their hopes in the “highest court in the land” yet the court failed them (King 5). Anita Hill had similar ideas when she proposed ways for this country to move past its constant feedback loop of systematic oppression during her speech at Elon University. Anita Hill suggested that while we cannot give up on changing our government, we must also focus our efforts on shaping society and one another. If we put the pressure on our businesses and those around us to uphold moral standards and basic human rights, then we can change the system from the inside out.
