Janelle Monae is back to steal our hearts and relentlessly tantalizes our senses with her new single, "PYNK."
The video is an ode to the female form, pubic hair, and all things pink. The afrofuturistic queen's new album, Dirty Computer, featuring hit singles "Make Me Feel" and "Django Jane" and is proclaimed to be one of her most vulnerable projects yet. "PYNK" is the latest installment of this "emotion picture," which she originally began developing with her late mentor, Prince, before his untimely death.
Related: Janelle Monáe Proves Afro-Futurism Is Back In A Big Way
The lyrics to "PYNK" are just as raunchy as they are empowering, as Monae reminds us all to "touch our top and let it down." The video consists of Monae's fearless gang of black women indulging in some good old fashioned pussy power.
Tabloids have previously speculated about the nature of her relationship with Tessa Thompson, who co-stars with Monae in "Make Me Feel" and was also be spotted in "PYNK" with her head between the singer's legs as she danced in vagina pants.
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By the way, does anyone know where I can find some vagina pants? Asking for a friend.
The anthem is symbolic of the normalization of womanhood, in its purest form. Bisexual culture and pubic hair are topics that are typically taboo in the black community, but Monae tackles the conversation head-on in her latest project, which is dripping with sexual liberation and gender fluidity.
She told The Guardian that her gender and sexuality are "undefinable" and opened up about her social responsibility to walk in her own truth:
"Sticking up for those who are often left behind and don't have a voice – doing that was one thing on film, but doing that in music is different because it's all you. So I can't sit back here and tell you I'm confident and fearless. I'm terrified right now. Like, I don't know how my family's gonna react, I don't know what people are going to say."
In the past, Monae has been fairly conservative about her discussion of gender identity and sexuality, but the narrative surrounding her emotion picture proves that her feelings have changed.
"I know that there are a lot of things that I haven't discussed and I think this is the album that you'll get an opportunity to get a closer glimpse into my mind and into my heart."
Monae proves in the new video that not only is the future female, female is now. The singer/activist wrote in the video description that:
"PYNK is a brash celebration of creation. self love. sexuality. and pussy power! PYNK is the color that unites us all, for pink is the color found in the deepest and darkest nooks and crannies of humans everywhere...PYNK is where the future is born...."
Monae's new visual is a tribute to the many pussies of the world, in all their glory.
Monae is the defiantly unapologetically black and feminist voice that is so needed in the entertainment industry and "PYNK" is our anthem.
Check out the full video below:
- Janelle Monae Sexuality, Sexual Orientation - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- Janelle Monáe - PYNK [Official Video] - YouTube ›
- Janelle Monáe's new “Pynk” video stars Tessa Thompson, vagina ... ›
- Janelle Monae Drops New Song and Video: 'Pynk' – Variety ›
- Janelle Monáe's 'Pynk' Video: The 8 Most Important GIFs ›
- Janelle Monáe's New Music Video Is A Pink, Vagina-Inspired ... ›
- We Got the Pynk: Janelle Monáe's Got Girl Power on Lock ›
- Janelle Monae's “PYNK” music video features vagina pants (VIDEO). ›
- Janelle Monae Celebrates 'Pussy Power' in 'Pynk' Video - Rolling ... ›
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The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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