Janelle Monáe, 27
"Janelle Monáe—the inimitable, award-winning, songwriter, performer, producer, Cover Girl and avant-garde funkstress gives an “emotion picture” through her music to the masses. Monáe found herself increasingly drawn to the stories and experiences of the strong women in her life, and their ability to electrify and inspire individuals to do the right thing. 'At some point I realized that the true heart and glue of the community were the women. My mama and grandmamma and my aunties and who to this day, are some of the most powerful beings on the planet. Under their guidance, I went from cleaning houses everyday in my maid outfit to the world-traveling performer I am today. They made me believe in myself enough to move from Kansas and pursue my dreams. A lot of folks think I work hard onstage because of James Brown. But they’ve never met my mother!' Inspired by her mother and other matriarchs, Monáe began to write lyrics and songs about rebel women who refused to be marginalized and dared to live their life boldly and unapologetically in a distant future."
In this video Janelle Monáe gives insight on the behavior that has been passed down and accepted in today's society but it is our duty as women and men to overcome and reject this type of behavior. Janelle Monáe is one of the few women in the spot light that has remained true to herself and what she believes in. She is aware of the concept that "a nation can rise no higher than its woman" a quote from the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad by not only maintaining a modest image but also refusing to let her mind be consumed by the indecency of this world. We, as women, have a duty not only to ourselves but to society to be the change it needs. For example, if a man approaches you with the intent to sleep with you just say no. Don't accept that type of behavior. Women are the vessels God uses to produce life, and with the power God has blessed us with comes responsibility. We are responsible for maintaining life. If we do not change, this cycle will continue.
In order for someone to accept a new way of thinking they must first be willing to listen. We all know how hard it is to get someone to listen to what we have say especially when it is opposite of what that person thinks. Once you get someone to listen, they have to understand what it is you're trying to say. At this point, they can either accept or reject it. If they accept it, they then have to come to terms with what they have been taught their whole life was incorrect. As soon as they learn to accept this their behavior will start to change. This is not a one day fix; they did not learn it in a day. It could take years for someone to change their mindset, especially when it's all they've known. Music has a way of reaching the soul of a person, well at least it used to. Positive artists like Janelle Monáe are trying to bring back the power, consciousness, and love that was once in music but it will not be an easy task. They are going up against a 400 year old mindset that is still being enforced today. We, as a people, have to realize that we have the power to use thought to create the conditions, surroundings, and other experiences of life but this all depends on our habit of thinking. What we do depends on what we are and what we are is the result of what we habitually think. We do not have to accept the way this world is. In the words of Michael Jackson, "if you want to make the world a better place take a look at yourself and make that, change!"
I encourage everyone, both men and women, to give their opinion on this topic and the previous topics. Just post a comment right below this article! Please keep your comments respectable and refrain from using any profanity. Thank you!
Source: http://www.jmonae.com/#
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