Carnival Swing is a commentary on expressions of racial and social justice. The swinging women in this painting represent the current governmental control over reproductive rights. As of 2022, the government threatens women's right to abortion even under unwanted inception and threat to the health and life of the woman and child. In the lower right, The Gold Dust Twins, 1890 – 1950. "let us do your work for you" was used to advertise soap, appealing to the general acceptance that Blacks, even Black children, were happy to do household chores because they wanted to please the white homemaker. The dominant image in the upper right is the symbol for the Coon Chicken Inn, a restaurant chain that had businesses in Portland, Seattle, and Salt Lake City (mid-20s to 1950s). The customers would enter the restaurant through the mouth of the coon and enjoy "mammy-made" fried chicken. The claim check pinned to the coon is the 2022 booking number for Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Association.

This painting was inspired by Langston Hughes' poem "Merry-Go-Round" in 1942, in which he commented on racial and social injustice in America at the time. The poem uses the metaphor of a merry-go-round to depict the cyclical nature of racial oppression and the limited opportunities available to African Americans.

Smith shares concerns for social justice in the future and the importance of recognizing the forces we face.