Review
JANELLE MONAE’S DIRTY COMPUTER: REACTION TO OUR CURRENT POLITICAL REGIME
Nothing is certain anymore; not even death, not even taxes, in a contemporary society whose media and marketing schemes thrive off the self-conscious of the individual. In Janelle Monae’s new album Dirty Computer, she touches upon this very premise, particularly, that of our current political regime under, Donald. The media and popular culture frame the government or any established order as infallible, delivering a message as if they can do no wrong. We are taught this ideological view point that creates an idea of homogeny, “oneness,” under a monolithic umbrella. We are depicted as a diverse and well functioned society, but under what dominant perspective? Do we ever question what we see? Do we question who is running our computer, cell phone, bank, internet, and social media companies? Well, in Janelle Monae’s short film comprised of her latest album, Dirty Computer, she does exactly that. Challenging the dominant perspective and using her position of fame to help spread a powerful and much needed reminder towards the positionality of the rest of the world that aren’t white, rich, and heterosexual.
JANELLE MONAE PERFORMING IN LOS ANGELES, CA AT THE GREEK THEATER PERFORMING “SCREWED” THAT FEATURES ZOE KRAVITZ (in the song). photo by Mikaela Elson
