Tag: BP03

The Inevitability of Change

Micah W.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

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.

Challenging Binaries In The Contemporary World: The Haraway-Monae Manifesto

Rudy W.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In her Cyborg Manifesto, Donna Haraway explores a world in which the concept of traditional or societal binaries, oppression within technology, feminism, and identity are challenged. In her writings, Haraway uses the half-human half machine- cyberog as a metaphor for liberation. The idea of the cyborg represents fluidity being that it is composed of different elements to make up one whole being. Haraway argues that social constructs that are embedded into our society such as gender, sexuality, and identity are not meant to define us, rather they are fluid and constantly evolving.  

Dirty Computer by Janelle Monae explored the Manifesto that Haraway discussed by highlighting themes of liberation, feminism, and queerness. Throughout the album, Monae uses songs such as “PYNK” to highlight the complexities that exist within ones’ identity; directly correlating to Haraway and her idea of a fluid rather than a fixed identity. Monae also incorporates the intersectionality of queernesss within her identity as a black individual by describing how to break away from heterosexual norms which are opressive.Within her identity, Janelle Monae describes herself as a non-binary individual. While she goes by she/her and they/them pronouns, Monae does not believe in the binaries of gender identiy which is a theme that is consistent within Haraway’s Manifesto. 

The most identical themes that are present within Haraway’s and Monae’s works are the technology cyborg elements. As previously mentioned, Haraway uses the cyborg as a metaphor in her Manifesto to represent liberation through technology. The cyborg does not have a fixed identity due to its robotic and human components; it is a fluid entity. Monae uses technological imagery to centralize the idea of their album. In the visual elements of the album, they often portray themselves living in a world that is enhanced by technology while also incorporating afrocentric elements. This is very important when discussing the theme of cyberpunk; a genre in which diversity in the form of Afrofuturism for example, is not very prominent. Janelle Monae uplifted, liberated, and empowered the various communities of which she belongs to: woman, non-binary, queer, African-American. This is the main idea of the Cyber Manifesto. Haraway conceptualized the idea of a non-binary world that allowed identities to be fluid; Monae gave life to this concept.

The Cyborg Revolution: How Janelle Monaè’s Dirty Computer Reflects Donna Haraway’s Vision

Jayla R.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In her essay, “A Cyborg Manifesto,” Donna Haraway uses imagery of a posthuman society to challenge traditional beliefs of identity. In this society, identity is fluid and the line between humans and machines and animals are blurred. Haraway uses the cyborg as a metaphor for those fluid identities that defy binary ideals. In this same manner, Janelle Monae’s 2018 album Dirty Computer reimagines these concepts in a dystopian society where people who refuse to fit into predefined categories are “dirty computers” and persecuted as such.

Dirty Computer follows Jane 57821, a woman that is considered a dirty computer because she doesn’t conform to the social norms of purity and control. Similiar to Haraway’s cyborg, these dirty computers are symbols of defiance against an oppressive system that punishes those who are different. The song, “PYNK” and other songs from the album combat these oppressive practices by celebrating being queer, sexually free, and expressing yourself. Monáe’s depiction of her characters rejects the need for society to classify people according to their gender, race, or sexual orientation and instead embraces Donna Haraway’s vision of a world in which identity is not fixed but rather always changing.

Monaé utilizes the cyborg imagery promoted by Haraway to criticize the dominant nature of technology. The album’s storyline depicts technology as a weapon of oppression, wielded to control and destroy those who deviate from the standard. This is comparable to how Haraway’s cyborg opposes a patriarchal, militarized application of technology. Monae also tackles the same power dynamics that Haraway criticizes in her song “Screwed.” On a surface level, the song is basically saying we’re all screwed, so we might as well just have a good time. But a deeper dive reveals ideas about how oppression can be achieved through controlling bodies that deviate from societal norms. The lyrics, “You fed the world up now, we’ll f it all back down” frame pleasure as a means to rebel against these oppressive regimes. The song reflects Haraway’s depiction of rebellion against capitalist and patriarchal systems.

Overall, Monae’s Dirty Computer refuses to isolate the “other” and describes the bravery and resilience it takes to break the rules. Monáe embodies Haraway’s desire for a future free from the shackles of the past by allowing listeners to use her music to picture a world in which being different is not only accepted but celebrated.

Cyborg Dreams: Fluid Identities in Janelle Monae’s Dirty Computer

Amanda F.
Reading Time: 2 minutes


In Cyborg Manifesto, published in 1985, Donna Haraway challenged us to rethink our ideas about identity, gender, and technology. Fast forward to 2018, and Janelle Monae’s album Dirty Computer picks up where Haraway left off, painting a vivid picture of a dystopian world where individuals who don’t conform to societal norms are marginalized. By exploring Monae’s music through the lens of Haraway’s ideas, we can see how both works invite us to embrace a more fluid understanding of identity.

Haraway introduces the idea of the cyborg as a metaphor for breaking down the boundaries that define us. She suggests that in a post-gender world, identities become more fluid and less confined by societal expectations. In Monae’s song “Django Jane,” we witness this celebration of self-definition. Monae confidently asserts her identity and challenges the norms that seek to categorize her. Lines like “I’m not just a woman; I’m not just a man” resonate deeply with Haraway’s vision of a world where traditional gender roles no longer apply.

Monae’s Dirty Computer creates a dystopian reality where those who dare to be different are persecuted. This theme comes to life in the track “PYNK,” where Monae and her collaborators embrace femininity and queerness unapologetically. The vibrant imagery and the joyous celebration of love and identity serve as a direct response to Haraway’s manifesto. In a world that often seeks to silence and control those who don’t fit the mold, Monae’s music becomes an anthem of resistance. It’s a reminder that embracing our differences is not just an act of self-expression but also an act of rebellion against oppressive systems.

What I find most compelling about both Haraway and Monae is their insistence on the importance of fluidity. In “Make Me Feel,” Monae explores desire in ways that challenge heteronormative expectations. She sings about the thrill of love without being tied to traditional gender dynamics. This mirrors Haraway’s belief that our identities can be multifaceted and ever-evolving. Monae’s exploration of love and sexuality highlights the need to break free from societal constraints and fully inhabit our identities, just as Haraway envisioned.

In conclusion, the connection between Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto and Monae’s Dirty Computer is profound. Both challenge us to reject simplistic labels and embrace the complexities of our identities. They encourage us to envision a world where being true to ourselves is a source of power and strength. As we listen to Monae’s powerful anthems, we are reminded that our identities can be fluid, diverse, and ultimately liberating.


Tags-BP03

Breaking the Binary: Haraway’s Cyborgs Meet Monáe’s Dirty Computers

Anthony J.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Donna Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto (1985) imagines a future where traditional identity categories—like gender and race—break down, allowing for fluidity and freedom. Haraway’s cyborg transcends binaries, existing outside the confines of societal norms. Janelle Monáe’s 2018 album Dirty Computer builds on this vision, using the “dirty computer” as a metaphor for individuals who refuse to conform to strict, limiting identities. Both works challenge us to rethink what it means to be human in a world that punishes non-conformity.

In Dirty Computer, Monáe presents a dystopian world where “dirty computers” are persecuted for their difference, echoing Haraway’s cyborg—a figure that rejects being neatly categorized. Tracks like “Pynk” and “I Like That” celebrate the fluidity of identity, particularly around gender and sexuality, which resonates with Haraway’s vision of a post-gender world. In Haraway’s theory, the cyborg is free from biological and social limitations. Similarly, Monáe’s music encourages a celebration of self-definition outside of societal constraints.

Monáe’s approach, however, also explores the darker side of technology. In her world, technology is a tool of control, used to erase memories and force individuals into conformity. This duality—where technology can both liberate and oppress—is central to both Haraway’s and Monáe’s work. While Haraway’s cyborg uses technology to break free from old systems of power, Monáe shows how those same tools can be used to reinforce them.

Monáe’s album, and its accompanying “Emotion Picture,” presents a clear parallel to Haraway’s vision. The “cleaning” process in Dirty Computer is symbolic of society’s attempts to erase non-conforming identities—whether through social exclusion, legal restrictions, or outright violence. In this world, technology doesn’t just control bodies, it controls minds, erasing the very memories that make individuals unique. Monáe’s character, Jane 57821, resists this process, reflecting Haraway’s idea of the cyborg as inherently rebellious, existing outside societal boundaries and resisting erasure.

Ultimately, both Haraway and Monáe envision futures where identities are fluid, boundaries are broken, and the binaries that define us begin to dissolve. Their work invites us to consider a world where non-conformity is celebrated, and where the future is shaped by those willing to resist being boxed in. They push us to embrace the complexity of identity and challenge systems that seek to define and limit who we are.

Cyborgs and the Fight for Fluid Identity: Haraway Meets Monáe

Jacob S.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

In 1985, Donna Haraway released her Cyborg Manifesto, which displayed her vision on identity that is beyond traditional boundaries of gender, class, and biology. For Haraway, the cyborg was a symbol of resistance to social structures that have the purpose of defining who we are based on categories. Fast forward to 2018, Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer explores similar themes. Janelle Monáe’s song paints a picture of a future where people who don’t conform to societal norms are persecuted. In Dirty Computer, Monáe creates an image where individual expression is a form of rebellion. Together, Haraway’s manifesto and Monáe’s album imagine a future where identity isn’t structured and where standing up to conformity is seen a survival.

Cyborgs: Breaking Down Boundaries

The cyborg described by Haraway does not fit perfectly into categories like: human, machine, male or female. For Haraway, the cyborg is a metaphor for how identity is not easily boxed into one thing. Identity is something that exists in a fluid space, always shifting, and doesn’t stick to the binaries of society. This same concept is exactly what Janelle Monáe explores in Dirty Computer. In song like “PYNK,” Monáe celebrates womanhood but does so in a way that doesn’t confine it to biology or societal definitions. The lyric “Pink, as we all go insane” suggests shared experiences among women that no woman will perfectly fit societies standards and that it is fine to reject rigid labels. Similarly, in “I Like That,” Monáe embraces her multifaceted identity, showing us that it’s okay to exist outside the lines society draws for us.

Post-Gender Dreams and Dystopian Realities

A major concept in Cyborg Manifesto is the rejection of essentialism—the idea that who we are is defined by our biology. Haraway imagines a post-gender world where identity is not bound to traditional categories. The dream of fluidity is also central to Dirty Computer. Monáe’s album is a reflection of the real world, where gender norms and expectations can be suffocating. Those who don’t conform are labeled as “dirty,” but rather than run from that label, Monáe’s embraces it. The album becomes a celebration of self-expression and defiance against a system that tries to erase non-conforming individuals. Both Haraway and Monáe suggest that embracing our complex, hybrid identities is where true change lies.

Surveillance, Control, and the Fight for Autonomy

In both of these works, there’s a focus on how society uses surveillance and control to police bodies. Haraway’s cyborg exists outside of these systems and resists the forces of patriarch, capitalism, and colonialism that try to categorize and exploit people. Similarly, Monáe’s “dirty computers” are under constant surveillance, their identities erased unless they submit to societal expectations. However, both Haraway and Monáe see hope in resistance. Haraway’s cyborg resists being placed into any category while Monáe refuses to be “cleaned,” ultimately fighting back against a system that seeks to erase individuality. Claiming the parts of ourselves that don’t fit neatly into society’s boxes, is a form of defiance that both Haraway and Monáe see as something needed for the possibility of a better future.

Conclusion: Embracing the Hybrid

At first glance, Cyborg Manifesto and Dirty Computer might seem worlds apart—one is an academic essay from the 80s, and the other is a modern concept album. Both of these works are connected by their explorations of identity, fluidity, and resistance. Haraway’s cyborg represents the breaking down of boundaries between categories like human and machine, male and female, while Monáe’s album embodies the same fight for individuality in a world that demands for conformity. Together, they show us that the future does not belong to those who fit neatly into categories, but to those who resist and embrace the complexity of who they are.

Supplemental Media:

Cyborgs and Computers: Haraway’s Vision in Monáe’s Dystopia

Lauren B.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Janelle Monáe’s 2018 album “Dirty Computer” serves as a powerful exploration of themes first introduced in Donna Haraway’s seminal 1985 essay “A Cyborg Manifesto.” Both works grapple with identity, technology, and the blurring of boundaries in a world increasingly shaped by digital systems. Haraway envisioned a post-gender world where identity is fluid and not constrained by traditional categories, a concept that resonates strongly throughout “Dirty Computer.” In songs like “Crazy, Classic, Life,” Monáe celebrates freedom of expression and rejects societal limitations. The album’s overarching narrative of “dirty computers”—individuals deemed non-conforming by an oppressive system—directly challenges rigid identity constructs.

The cyborg, as Haraway conceptualized it, represents a fusion of human and machine. Monáe’s album title itself evokes this merging of the organic and technological. Throughout the album, she uses computer and technological metaphors to explore human experiences, as seen in the opening track where she compares feelings of love to computer hardware. Haraway saw the cyborg as a powerful symbol for resistance against oppressive systems, a theme central to “Dirty Computer.” In tracks like “Django Jane,” Monáe employs her art as a form of empowerment and defiance. The album’s accompanying “emotion picture” further reinforces this narrative of resistance in a dystopian world.

Both Haraway and Monáe challenge traditional categorizations. “Dirty Computer” seamlessly blends genres, refusing to be neatly classified, just as Haraway’s cyborg defies simple categorization. Songs like “Pynk” and “Make Me Feel” explore fluid sexuality and gender expression, echoing Haraway’s post-gender vision. Furthermore, Haraway emphasized the importance of rewriting dominant narratives, a principle that Monáe embodies in her work. By celebrating marginalized identities and challenging societal norms, she creates a form of “myth-making” that Haraway would likely appreciate.

While separated by decades, Haraway’s “Cyborg Manifesto” and Monáe’s “Dirty Computer” share a revolutionary spirit. Both works imagine new possibilities for identity and resistance in technologically mediated worlds. Monáe’s album brings Haraway’s theoretical concepts to life through powerful music and visuals, demonstrating the enduring relevance of these ideas in our increasingly digital age.

References

Dirty computer by Janelle Monáe. Genius. (n.d.). https://genius.com/albums/Janelle-monae/Dirty-computer

Breaking Away From Comformity

Ranaya B.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer (2018) and Donna Haraway’s essay “A Cyborg Manifesto” (1985) share strikingly similar themes of identity, technology, and rebellion against societal norms. Both works explore the concept of fluidity in gender, race, and sexuality, rejecting the idea that these identities need to conform to rigid categories. In Dirty Computer, Monáe uses the metaphor of the “dirty computer” to represent marginalized people who, like Haraway’s cyborgs, transcend the limitations of traditional identities, challenging what it means to be human in a tech-driven world. With that being said, I will take apart Janelle Monae’s album and dissect some of her lyrics.

This image represent the two sides of a cyborg according to Harraway.

Monáe’s celebration of fluidity, especially in songs like “PYNK,” reflects Haraway’s vision of a post-gender world. Monáe reclaims symbols of femininity and embraces sexual empowerment, much like Haraway’s cyborg, who refuses to fit neatly into societal expectations. By singing “Pynk like the inside of your…baby,” Monáe is not just celebrating femininity but also challenging traditional gender roles, aligning with Haraway’s idea of breaking down binary distinctions. Both women were sort of rebellions in the sense that they do not let what society sees as “normal” determine their outlook on themselves. Instead of conforming they made it a point to stand out and embrace their uniqueness. 

This image represents Janelle Monae’s album cover for Dirty Computer. In the image you see Jane 57821 a bisexual party on the run. She represents the “Dirty Computer”.

Both Monáe and Haraway critique oppressive power structures. Monáe’s “Django Jane” asserts defiance against patriarchal and racist systems, paralleling Haraway’s cyborg rebellion. Monáe also clashes with the paradox of technology in Dirty Computer, recognizing it as both a tool for oppression and liberation. In songs like “We Appreciate Power,” she talks about how technology is used to control people, while simultaneously acknowledging its potential for self-expression and resistance, a theme central to Haraway’s manifesto. Ultimately, Dirty Computer embodies Haraway’s vision of a cyborg: a hybrid figure that resists traditional power structures and embraces fluid, diverse identities in a world dominated by technology. 

Beyond Boundaries: Exploring Identity in Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer and Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto

Juleette A.
Reading Time: 2 minutes

In Dirty Computer, Janelle Monáe constructs a dystopian world where individuals who defy societal norms are hunted down and “cleaned,” their non-conformity erased. This vision ties directly to Donna Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto, where she imagines a future where identity is fluid, post-gender, and unfixed—a direct challenge to the rigid boundaries of race, gender, and sexuality that shape our current world. Monáe’s work taps into Haraway’s radical ideas by using the metaphor of the “dirty computer” as a stand-in for the marginalized body, one that doesn’t fit cleanly into pre-assigned boxes.

In songs like “PYNK” and “I Like That,” Monáe embraces this fluidity, celebrating identities that move beyond binary constraints. The body and the self are portrayed as ever-evolving, a concept that Haraway explores through her cyborg figure—neither fully human nor machine, embodying multiplicity. Both Monáe and Haraway reject the traditional idea of purity or fixed identity, instead advocating for a world where hybridity is a source of strength.

Monáe also shares Haraway’s critical lens on the systems of power that attempt to control and erase non-conforming bodies. Tracks like “Django Jane” and “Crazy, Classic, Life” serve as declarations of resistance, much like Haraway’s insistence that cyborgs are political, standing against the patriarchal structures that seek to categorize and dominate. Through Monáe’s music, the cyborg becomes an empowering figure—one that reclaims autonomy in a world that tries to deny it.

Dirty Computer doesn’t just depict a dystopia; it imagines a path forward, a post-gender future where non-conforming identities are celebrated rather than erased. Like Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto, Monáe’s album pushes us to envision a world that transcends the rigid boundaries of race, gender, and sexuality, offering a new, fluid way of being.

To dive deeper into this connection, you might explore Haraway’s Cyborg Manifesto. For a visual supplement, check out Monáe’s Dirty Computer short film, which expands on the album’s themes of liberation and identity fluidity.

A Dirty Cyborg Manifesto

Brooke J.
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Janelle Monae’s “Dirty Computer” album and Donna Haraway’s “A Cyborg Manifesto” both explore a fluidity of identity, critique of control, and resistance. Fluidity of identity is embraced in the album through the celebration of sexual and gender diversity, where traditional boundaries are blurred. Binary classification is rejected as love and attraction are explored across the broad spectrum of both sexuality and gender. In comparison, Haraway promotes a fluid understanding of self, specifically gender and sexuality. As far a critiquing control, both Haraway and Monae critique how society monitors and regulates identity, creating a struggle for autonomy. Lastly, there is the resistance against oppressive societal norms. “Dirty Computer” has a theme of rebellion and empowerment, challenging society exceptions. This theme is similar to Haraway’s call for liberation from traditional roles of gender and sexuality.