Glover, Black Panthers, and Dior: How Music and Fashion Carry Political Messages

In 2018, the music video for Childish Gambino’s single “This Is America” placed dancing alongside sudden violence to examine race and gun culture in the United States. The clip, performed by Donald Glover, used shifting musical styles and striking imagery to explore how Black Americans are treated. NPR analyzed the work, noting how it juxtaposes entertainment with the broader concerns affecting Black communities. The video encouraged viewers to consider what receives attention in American culture and what remains overlooked. It demonstrated how choreography and symbolism can communicate ideas that extend beyond lyrics.

Political expression in entertainment often relies on visual cues rather than spoken words. Artists use clothing and performance to communicate messages about identity and social expectations. This approach allows for open interpretation, with some creators explaining their intent clearly while others leave the meaning ambiguous. The Black Panther Party offers a historical example of this strategy. During the Black Power era, members wore black berets, leather jackets, and other specific items of clothing. According to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, this uniform was intentional. It represented the organization’s commitment to self-determination and resistance to established expectations of respectability. The beret became a particularly recognizable symbol of that movement.

Decades later, political messages moved into mainstream luxury fashion. In 2016, the fashion house Dior introduced a T-shirt reading “we should all be feminists” as part of its spring 2017 collection. Creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri presented the item on the runway. The statement was inspired by the work of Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. This move turned a message about feminism and gender equality into a major luxury event. The example shows how clothing can serve as a vessel for social ideas. A uniform can establish solidarity within a movement, while a slogan on a shirt can introduce a message into everyday life.

Artists who incorporate activism into their work often attract both support and pushback. A political message in a music video or fashion collection does not automatically define an artist’s motives. Some statements reflect long-standing commitments, while others may be interpreted differently by various audiences. Determining intent requires looking at an artist’s documented actions and body of work rather than assuming meaning from a single image or outfit. Social media has made these conversations more immediate. A clip from a music video or a concert outfit can circulate online within minutes. This rapid visibility can extend a message beyond its original setting. It can also separate a creative choice from the context that gives it meaning, leaving audiences to draw conclusions from a short clip.

For college students, these messages are part of daily life. Many encounter music and fashion across social platforms, where these visuals become part of larger conversations about identity and representation. Understanding these messages requires considering historical context and the artist’s personal motivations. Creativity in popular culture often does more than entertain. It brings attention to parts of life that people tend to ignore and starts conversations about how society functions. The next step for these discussions is ongoing, as new artists continue to use visual media to shape public dialogue.