In the Kanye Wests Black Skinhead music video there are multiple important aspects that have underlying messages that most might not get at first glance. Deconstructing this music video there are many scenes that seem to be the most important and impactful. Some of which are the opening scene with obvious Ku Klux Klan members as well as another scene being with a faceless man. Kanye Wests overall meaning of his Black Skinhead video was about the way America has shaped our black men into all being the same, new slaves. 

The first scene that was important is the opening scene with three Ku Klux Klan members. However, they are not just any KKK members, they are wearing black hoods rather than white ones. The entire video is in black and white with no other colors at any time during the video. The KKK members are two dimensional with the only movement being their eyes. The shot goes from a medium shot with no eye movements to a super closeup into a transition as soon as the eyes start moving of these men. They move their eyes rapidly from side to side as if they are looking out for something or someone in particular. It is almost as if these black men are dressed as one of what was one of the most supported hate groups in America who wanted to enforce slavery and racism and they still are not safe. They have been shaped into something they are not and still have to look out for someone or something trying to take their freedom which brings me to the next important scene of this music video.

The second scene that I found one of the most important out of the whole video is the faceless scene of a black man in front of black background. This man being faceless represented how America has found yet another way to dehumanize black men in our country. They have taken everything they can have to be human and have pushed them to be what Kanye refers to as New Slaves. That it may not be the same as what black ancestors have went through but a modernized version of it. Another way in this scene that was emphasized was this man was dancing in between what at first glance seems to just be white triangles but resemble the same shape at the beginning with the KKK members, only this time they are white. The change in color shows the power that white America has, because throughout this whole scene he did not ever leave the area between these to triangles. Along with them being what I interpret as true KKK members they also resemble fangs of a wolf; therefore, this shot of this man is based off through a wolfs mouth. Kanye prior to had a scene of three wolves at the beginning and reference them numerous times throughout the song. All of these aspects of this scene support the overall meaning of shaping our black men into what our New Slaves in our society. 

Throughout the music video Kanye West uses multiple mediums to get his meaning across in a chronological order. The very next scene that encompasses multiple elements all in one would be when a faceless black man, Kanye West, is dancing in between two fangs with a gold chain around his neck. This gold chain represents more than a simple piece of jewelry, instead it represents the idea of New Slaves. The gold chain in society has replaced that of the iron chains, and shackles. This is how Kanye says society has found another way to enslave black people, taking their money for the stereotypical things that all black men and women wear. Along with the gold chain he raps in the song about the people who enslaved blacks ancestors in present day offering more items that all black people stereotypically wear. Some of this items included fur coats, bentleys, diamond chains, and Alexander Wang. This scene encompasses the overall theme and meaning very well because not only is it directly relating to the meaning by having the gold chain be the center of attention and main focus of the scene but all while he subtly dance between the two fangs previously discussed. These fangs that are more than just fangs but are also representations of wolf fangs and KKK members. This relates to the overall larger message as well. 

Kanye West encompasses in many different simple, plain elements a very complicated topic and message in this music video. A topic not only complex but what is a very serious issue among the black community. Using colors, two and three dimensional figures, and direct and indirect elements to get his overall meaning across successfully. The significance that each of these elements brought to the table were each try different and significant. Each element was essential of the overall theme and message of the music video and if any one of these elements were removed the message would not have been clearly established. 