Event 2

A second event of this semester was Janelle Monae’s Dirty Computer. This event was organized by Pride Alliance, and I’ve been looking forward to it for a while. Of course, from the PA side I got some behind-the-scenes perspective: a mix up with the food order, a meeting that took half of our anticipated attendance, and some issues with advertising were all part of the thrill of planning this event, which is how I anticipate a lot of my future in youth work will be, as well. Despite those snafus, the event was still pretty cool! Monae’s work explores pretty much all of the YDev anchors, which I’ll get into a little below!

Care: This is a project that is so full of love. Self-love, romantic love, love and solidarity of marginalized communities. “PYNK” and the video accompanying it highlight this best, as it celebrates queer femininity and black womanhood.

Purposeful Play: Throughout Dirty Computer, Monae uses both art and sexuality, seen as “frivolous” in some contexts, as tools for justice. This echoes the way YDev resists traditional narratives around play and recognizes its value.

Social Justice/Advocacy and Identity: These are probably the most obvious is Dirty Computer. Monae uses her sci-fi metaphor as a platform for talking about injustice. For example, in “Crazy, Classic Life” some of her lyrics talk about the differences in opportunity between herself and her white friends. She calls out how recklessness was viewed as deviance for her as a black woman, but just as a part of youth for white men in her life, which shaped what opportunities they each had access to. The song “Screwed” names a lot of injustices in the US in particular right now, including wage inequality, gun violence, and collusion. The video warns against apathy in the face of injustice when Tessa Thompson’s character is abducted/arrested.

Leading With: This one is probably the most reach-y, but it’s still true. The line “We don’t need another ruler, all of my friends are kings” from “Crazy, Classic Life” perfectly sums up the spirit of leading with. Recognize the power of everyone in the room, don’t try to be a ruler. Monae is bringing that message with the whole album, she isn’t trying to become the figurehead of a new resistance, she’s telling her story of how she had no choice but to resist.