Category: janelle monae

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AfroFuturism in Society

by Liz Cortes

Speaking about entertainment is one of the most relevant topics that you can use to start a conversation, is part of the culture to connect with books, movies, short films, music, or artist. Thus I can’t imagine myself being restricted to express my own joy about art.

One of my favorite movies is Hidden Figures which recognizes the work of mathematics black women who lead important papers in the development of NASA projects to send a spaceship to space. this movie resalted the capacities and opportunities of women in science and society, making me feel that is possible for me as a woman and science fan be part of the future of the world. I love this movie, I cried watching it and get so excited seeing how strong were those women in front of the racism, society, and stereotypes in the 60s. Besides, that was performed for three amazing women Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae. They are just a piece of all the potential of the Afro-Americans in movies and as characters that encourage the black women to be part of the change.

When I read “The Case For Black Joy”[1] Hadiya Roderique, I understood her joy as I enjoy movies too, there is no right to undervalue the happiness of someone to connect with art, and more when it talks about your culture and shows a strong black community different to the painful histories that Afro-Americans had to afront in the past. I respect this joy, is very valuable and is my joy too, one of my friends has a big poster of Black Panther in his living room and a funko in his car. I can imagine that he identified with this movie as Hadiya did.

There is a lot of potentials, like books, comics, short films, and movies that have made real the dreams of many people, beginning to change not only our screens programs also the community ideas in toys, media, and clothes. All of this makes a fair and equal world for all cultures.

Afrofuturism is a challenge and a call for not only the Black community to be part of the entertainment industry as well for all the communities to appreciate it and be part of it, recognizing the pride of being Black and being different.

[1] Roderique, Hadiya. “The Case for Black Joy.” Fashion Magazine. 1 February 2019. https://fashionmagazine.com/flare/the-case-for-black-joy/

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Q.U.E.E.N. by Janelle Monáe

In her song, Q.U.E.E.N., Janelle Monáe acknowledges both her Blackness and her queerness. As she addresses her race, her references can be closely linked to The Case For Black Joy by Hadiya Roderique. The lyrics keep asking if the way Janelle Monáe’s community expresses themselves and their happiness is wrong and worthy of judgement just because it might be different than what is expected of them.

As she goes on and brings her queerness into the picture, questions such as “Hey brother can you save my soul from the devil?” and “Hey sister am I good enough for your heaven?” emerge, suggesting the black community might not embrace her as much because of her sexual identity. This creates a great turmoil, because what exactly can one do when several parts of their personality might not correspond with one another and are generally judged and viewed as wrong?

According to Janelle Monáe, in this case, it is up to this community and this generation to create its new norm and realm and break down to walls that limit them. The people of the present cannot and should not meet the expectations of the past. The circumstances have changed and so have and the individuals who were thus born. Therefore, Janelle Monáe’s Afrofuturism suggests a revolution, the uprising of a completely new world where people are encouraged to embrace themselves as a whole and where it is understood that skin color and sexual identity are not grounds for judgement but for celebration.

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Janelle Monae

While reading the lyrics and listening to Janelle Monaes song Q.U.E.E.N. The first quote that stuck out to me was “They call us dirty ’cause we break all your rules down. And we just came to act a fool, is that alright? (Girl, that’s alright).” I was instantly reminded of the essay by Hadiya Roderique The Case for Black Joy. Both are referring to how as black people that being able to express joy and livelihood is somewhat looked down upon and having being constantly judged.

She also has another lyric in the song where she states: “Hey sister am I good enough for your Heaven? Say will your God accept me in my black and white? Will he approve the way I’m made? Or should I reprogram, deprogram and get down?” What I gathered from this was she was referring to herself being a queer individual and saying she isn’t “good” enough to fit into their mold of how someone should be. Yet she still stays true to herself because at the end of day her own happiness is what truly matters and not the opinion of others.

I’m posting a couple of remixed songs of Janelle Monaes that I’ve had in my playlists for a while now that are really good so I figured I’d share them and give you all a listen, The first one is a remix of her hit Q.U.E.E.N. and the other is Make Me Feel. Enjoy!

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Janelle Monae: What Is Revolution Without Song?

In discussions of contemporary Afrofuturism, it generally doesn’t take long for Janelle Monae’s name to come up.  (BECAUSE SHE IS AWESOME.)  I’d like to make you watch and listen to every single thing she has ever made, but I will settle for the following: 

“The Defiant Sci-Fi of Janelle Monae” 

(I recommend you check out the lyrics here, as well — bear in mind that the commentary on the lyrics is written by whomever cares to write it, and frankly not all of it is as careful as it could be: https://genius.com/1733622 )

Since we watched those in class, here are a few more:

“Tightrope” This is the one with the dance scenes in the Afrofuturism video:

“Turntables” 

Monae wrote this song for a documentary about Stacy Abrams. Not familiar with Stacy Abrams? Get familiar. She is one of the most important political organizers working today. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stacey_Abrams

Lyrics here: https://genius.com/Janelle-monae-turntables-lyrics

Short article on “Turntables” (where the quotation in this item’s title comes from): https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/janelle-monae-turntables-interview-1057188/

This one isn’t Afrofuturism. “Hell You Talmbout” is a song Monae first wrote in 2015, in response to police brutality. “Say Her Name” is an updated version, focusing on Black women killed by police violence.