Dirty Computer, The Black LGBT+ Representation I’ve Been Waiting For

On April 27th, 2018, Janelle Monáe released her third studio album, Dirty Computer. In addition, she released a 47-minute dystopian, sci-fi short film of the same name that celebrates women, blackness, and queerness. Needless to say, I loved it.

Seeing the Black LGBTQ+ community accurately represented in the media is an ongoing struggle. While films like Moonlight and television shows like Pose have made strides for Black LGBTQ+ representation, there is still more progress to be made. However, Dirty Computer has definitely contributed to that progress. Even from the very first single, “Make Me Feel”, I felt represented while watching the music video where Janelle runs back and forth in between male and female love interests, and I was delighted by the heavy usage of what is referred to as “Bisexual Lighting”, lighting that features pink, purple, and blue—the colors of the Bisexual flag.

In the Dirty Computer Emotion Picture, the protagonist Jane 57821 is in the process of having her memories erased in a facility after being labeled as a “dirty computer” that must be cleaned. Each memory comes in the form of a music video, and these videos give the audience a glimpse into Jane’s life before she was taken. One aspect of her life was her involvement in a polyamorous relationship with characters Zen and Che (played by Tessa Thompson and Jayson Aaron). Each music video is a celebration of femininity, sexuality, and individuality despite society’s attempts to suppress them. 

One of the songs that resonated with me was “I Like That”, the albums’ fourth single which went to #1 on the Adult R&B Songs Chart. Janelle described the song as being about boys “who make the lives of little brown girls so damn hard”, something I instantly related to. Listening to the song always gives me encouragement to embrace nonconformity and all of the things that I like, despite criticism. One line in the song “Sometimes a mystery, sometimes I’m free / Depending on my mood or my attitude / Sometimes I wanna roll or stay at home / Walking contradiction, guess I’m factual and fiction” were incredibly understandable, reminding me that a multidimensional personality should be held on to despite any attempts to be put in a box. This song is very uplifting, as well as “Django Jane”, Dirty Computer’s second single. 

“Django Jane”, is an anthem that celebrates and recognizes Black womanhood. It is a visual and lyrical love letter to our identities, our magic and our strength. Janelle is surrounded by Black women throughout the video, rapping powerful lyrics such as “Black girl magic, y’all can’t stand it”, “We gave you life, we gave you birth, we gave you God, we gave you earth”, and “Move back, take a seat, you were not involved / And hit the mute button / Let the vagina have a monologue”. I feel confident and untouchable very time I hear it.

“PYNK”, the album’s third single left me in awe when I saw the songs’ visual. There were so many details that I enjoyed, such as Janelle Monáe wearing pants resembling a vagina that Tessa Thompson emerges from. The video included women of various body types and skin tones, some wearing underwear featuring the slogans “Sex Cells” and “I Grab Back”. In one frame, the words “Pussy Power” are seen in neon lights, and towards the end, Janelle and Tessa embrace while watching the sunset. “PYNK” is the ultimate celebration of women’s bodies, sexuality, self-love, and of course, the color pink. 

Watching/listening to Dirty Computer was like breathing fresh air, and I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing a positive light being shined on the communities that society rejects and tosses aside. In her Rolling Stone interview, Janelle Monáe stated: “Being a queer black woman in America, someone who has been in relationships with both men and women – I consider myself to be a free-ass motherfucker.” Dealing with the intersection of oppression that comes along with being a Black, LGBTQ woman means constantly being reminded that personal freedom is a right that the world will routinely attempt to strip away. Janelle Monae’s art, honesty, ingenuity, and confidence in the face of adversity serves as a reminder of just how free I am to be myself, too. Hopefully, throughout 2019, more art like Dirty Computer will be released, giving the Black LGBTQ+ community more representation that we deserve.