Daily Dose of Protest: This Land – Gary Clark Jr.

Photo from artist’s website.

Texas blues rocker Gary Clark Jr. recently released the music video for the title track from his upcoming third full-length album, which is scheduled to be released March 1, 2019.

The tune deals with being a black man “right in the middle of Trump country.” Being a successful musician doesn’t negate the effects of racism, Clark still must deal with neighbors who “can’t wait to call the police on me.”

In a interview with Rolling Stone, Clark mentions the motivation behind the song: “I think it’s only right at this point in time, if you have a microphone louder than others, to speak out about that anger.”

The video, which was directed by acclaimed 25-year-old filmmaker Savanah Leaf, effectively employs powerful visuals to indict the systemic racism that America was built on. It adds weight to the song’s poignant message.

“I basically just told her where I came from and she made a beautiful short film out of it,” Clark says. “Shout out to her, much love. I hope the video and the song together accomplish acceptance and moving forward — feed the babies, teach the babies to love.”