What does Gambino’s “This Is America” Mean?

The hidden meaning behind Childish Gambino’s (aka. Donald Glover) “This Is America”

Racial and ethnic inequalities loom large in American society. People of color face barriers everywhere they look. One may argue that this is the 21st-century and the racism era is far behind us and today America is free, progressive, independent, and inspired. Or is this ‘21st century America’ hiding its secret of violence, racism, and white supremism under a curtain of its American Dream? These two faces of America are the two sides of the same coin where one is how the world sees America while the other is hiding in the shadows, trying to “fit in.” Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” appears to be a commentary on black life in America and American culture as a whole. As a piece of literature, it is almost a declaration of the hidden reality of America, more specifically of a black and white America. Within this song and its video lie various secret messages, symbolism, and ultimately a hidden truth that Glover wishes to communicate to his audience. The contrast we see within the song and the video draws attention through shifts in mood whenever there is a shooting in America against blacks. One second, the entire nation is in an uproar against the atrocity, the next, they are happy, carefree and unconcerned.“This Is America” contrasts popular culture’s perception…