This thesis poses the research question whether Donald Glover reproduces or dismantles racial stereotypes in the music video "This is America". In order to get to the root of this question, one first must understand the concept of racism, and the purpose racism fulfils in the social system of the United States. Then the racist stereotypes need to be elaborated, because they are only visible and perceptible when known. Because of the male biased gender statistics and the fact that Donald Glover as a black man is the main protagonist of the video, the representation of black masculinity is an interesting additional aspect to be illuminated, especially regarding the hip-hop genre of the song. In the analysis, the music video is examined based on the semiotic approach and the theoretical foundation. Finally, a conclusion to the research question is drawn based on the multifaceted results.
A music video that can hardly be surpassed in semiotic richness is “This is America” by Donald Glover, released under his pseudonym Childish Gambino. The music video tackles gun violence, systemic racism, slavery, and juxtaposes jaunty images of dancing school children with shocking scenes of Gambino shooting a black man and gunning down a black choir. While the music video features the aforementioned racist stereotypes, the effect on the viewer is peculiar. The video has provoked a strong social reaction and has been highly discussed in the media, after the death of George Floyd in May 2020 and the resulting protests, the song has become the anthem for people posting footage of the protests on TikTok. Until January 2021, the video was watched 750,776,033 times, vinyl records of the song are sold for 418 € on eBay. The topic, and therefore the video itself, has not lost significance today and goes on like the echo of a disturbing American history. The song has become a worldwide phenomenon, following numerous analysis and interpretations of the innumerable obvious and unapparent images and this thesis does not
foresee to reproduce such an analysis, but to take a closer look at the racist stereotypes the video alludes to and on how they are used. Many of the stereotypes elaborated by Bogle (2016) as well as more generalized attributions of black masculinity in hip hop culture are represented in the video, but differ strongly from typical music videos in this genre in the widespread reception, which leads to the question of how stereotypes are embedded here.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Theoretical Framework
- 2.1 The Concept of Racism
- 2.2 Historical Context: Systemic Racism in the United States
- 2.3 Stereotypes and the Beginnings of Black Representation in Media
- 2.4 Black Masculinity
- 3. Examination of Childish Gambino's “This is America”
- 3.1 Contextual Frame
- 3.2 Analysis of Symbolism and Historical References
- 3.3 Analysis of Stereotypes and Representations
- 4. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis aims to investigate whether Donald Glover's music video "This is America" reproduces or dismantles racial stereotypes. It explores the video's use of symbolism and historical references within the context of systemic racism and its representation of Black masculinity in hip-hop culture. The analysis utilizes a semiotic approach informed by existing scholarship on racism and stereotypical portrayals of Black people in media.
- Systemic Racism in the United States
- Racial Stereotypes in Media Representation
- Black Masculinity in Hip-Hop Culture
- Semiotic Analysis of "This is America"
- The Role of Media in Perpetuating or Challenging Stereotypes
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by presenting two cases of racially motivated violence, one from 1955 and one from 2012, highlighting the persistence of systemic racism in the United States. It connects these events to contemporary instances of police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement, emphasizing the need to understand how such racism endures despite societal progress. The chapter introduces the music video "This is America" by Childish Gambino as a rich case study for examining the perpetuation and challenge of racial stereotypes in media, ultimately posing the central research question: Does Donald Glover reproduce or dismantle racial stereotypes in his music video?
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Childish Gambino's "This is America"
What is the main research question addressed in this text?
The central research question is: Does Donald Glover reproduce or dismantle racial stereotypes in his music video "This is America"?
What is the scope of this analysis?
This analysis examines Childish Gambino's music video "This is America" through a semiotic lens, exploring its symbolism, historical references, and representation of Black masculinity within the broader context of systemic racism and media portrayals of Black people. It investigates whether the video reinforces or challenges racial stereotypes.
What theoretical framework is used?
The analysis utilizes a semiotic approach, drawing upon existing scholarship on racism, stereotypical portrayals of Black people in media, and the complexities of Black masculinity in hip-hop culture.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include systemic racism in the United States, racial stereotypes in media representation, Black masculinity in hip-hop culture, semiotic analysis of "This is America," and the role of media in perpetuating or challenging stereotypes.
What historical context is provided?
The text provides historical context by referencing instances of racially motivated violence, connecting past events (such as incidents from 1955 and 2012) to contemporary issues like police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement, demonstrating the persistence of systemic racism.
What is the structure of the text?
The text is structured into four chapters: an introduction, a theoretical framework chapter (covering the concept of racism, historical context, stereotypes in media, and Black masculinity), a chapter dedicated to the analysis of "This is America," and a conclusion. It also includes a table of contents, a statement of objectives and key themes, and chapter summaries.
What specific aspects of "This is America" are analyzed?
The analysis delves into the video's symbolism, historical references, and how it represents and potentially subverts stereotypes related to Black masculinity and the broader experiences of Black people in America.
What is the overall purpose of this analysis?
The overall purpose is to contribute to a scholarly understanding of how media representations, particularly music videos, can either reinforce or challenge deeply entrenched racial stereotypes and contribute to ongoing conversations about systemic racism and its impact.
- Quote paper
- Jessica Meier (Author), 2022, Racist Stereotypes in Childish Gambino's song "This is America". Reproduction or Dismantling?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1318063
