The Inevitability of Change

In the essay “Cyborg Manifesto,” by Donna Haraway, she conceptualizes a world where society norms like gender, race etc. are not an indicator of what individuals are defined or identified by. Instead, in this society identity is fluid because technology is advanced and distorts the idea of those once held societal constructs individuals once went by. However, Haraway does draw parallels between cyborgs and femininity. To expand on that idea, Cyborgs is in a sense a hybrid being that are equipped with robotic parts and also part human. They have redefined what it means to be an individual in society. They are essentially human but have enhancements that change the way one would think and navigate the world because some of their human attributes have been replaced with technology that gives them an advantage. Cyborgs are fluid because they give a different and new way to identify. Haraway relates this idea of femininity to cyborgs to help women break the social constructs that objectify them, that keep them in this box where no fluidity is allowed due to decades of enduring sexism. Cyborgs are a symbol of hope within the feminist movements for women to redefine themselves and allow for fluidity even when they are faced with discrimination. The album Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe depicts a dystopian society in which people are persecuted for the simple action of not obeying the rules in the society. Which correlates with Haraway’s notion of the cyborg as outcast or undeserving of the simple joys of life, due to them redefining what it means to be different. Monáe’s album embodies diverse identities, with the creativity and out of box thinking that helps paint a picture and change one’s perspective, through her lyrics and beats. By drawing out the parallels like Haraway did. By detailing her experience as an individual who has been oppressed in society and seeing the changes to these constructs that shows you that the constructs never stay the same because our world is constantly evolving.