Racing Turtles

I think I might have broken my finger reblogging this. 

EVERYONE TAKE A MINUTE TO JUST APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT DONALD GLOVER EXISTS AND KNOWS WHAT THE FUCK IS UP

Yesterday Childish Gambino aka Donald Glover released a music video for his new song, “This Is America.”

The internet was fast to highlight the many layers and multiple meanings behind the 4-minute video.

I just want people to remember to give credit to the director Japanese filmmaker Hiro Murai. 

Murai has a history of creating blunt, disorienting music videos that tackle civil rights issues head-on.

twitter is kind of amazing on this: https://twitter.com/thelocalemo/status/993410712407076864

Part of this I haven’t seen many people talking about is what the choir was singing. Here’s the lyrics to that bit:

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody You go tell somebody Grandma told me Get your money, Black man (get your money) Get your money, Black man (get your money) Get your money, Black man (get your, Black man) Get your money, Black man (get your, Black man) Black man

The link there points out how this calls up the endless refrain of “striving” and respectability, but I think more can be read into it. This is the black church, and the gospel music of the black church, being used to promote capitalism. So one could also find in this a critique of all too many people in the black clergy, who twist the faith of their community in an anti-materialist creed to enrich themselves, while watching that very same community be tormented by violence and poverty, and sanctimoniously preaching salvation(spiritual and temporal) through that “respectability” the preachers have achieved(by abusing the generosity of their congregation to their own benefit).

Another possible aspect of it: the lead part on that lyric is a woman’s voice, yet they speak only to black men. This could also be calling out how the black church, which so relies on the contributions of black women, ignores and takes for granted that contribution in their ministry and works.

please stop calling Black children who have different interests and tastes white

it’s damaging and alienating

Always relevant

Childish Gambino Interview At The Breakfast Club Power 105.1 

[x]

This truth needs to reblogged ample times