one queer thing: a cyborg's serenade to self π€
miss grit's "follow the cyborg" is the non-binary anthem we didn't know we needed
tl;dr: dive into a synth-powered ode to identity that's redefining what it means to be human, challenging binary thinking, and making us all want to short-circuit the gender mainframe. plus, don't miss our new substack sommelier pick and the latest hillcrest hotspot.
quick note before we start: the complimentary paid subscription i gifted everyone only lasts 30 days and doesn't auto-renew. this wasn't a sneaky attempt to rope you into paying - it was my way of saying thanks for 100 posts! i'm devastated that some unsubscribed thinking theyβd be charged. please stick around - i promise it's free unless you choose otherwise! π
hey mi gente! ππ½
ever feel like you're caught between worlds? like you're too human to be a machine, but too "programmed" to be fully human? well, honey, welcome to the cyborg club.
today, we're diving into a song that embodies that beautiful mess of identity, that fierce spirit of resistance that lives in all of us queer folks. you know, the kind of energy that makes cishet people say "does not compute" and other queers go "01011001 01000001 01010011 01010011 01010011!" (that's binary for "YASSS!", by the way).
but before we get our circuits in a twist, let's take a moment to bask in the wisdom of the incomparable donna haraway. when i use the word "cyborg" here, it's not just about cool robot parts (though those are awesome too). it's about something deeper:
"the cyborg is a creature in a post-gender world; it has no truck with bisexuality, pre-oedipal symbiosis, unalienated labour, or other seductions to organic wholeness through a final appropriation of all the powers of the parts into a higher unity."
now, imagine an artist who takes that quote and turns it into a full-on musical manifesto. a trans non-binary musician who's not afraid to mix vulnerable lyrics with pulsing synths, who can make you question your humanity and dance at the same time.
intrigued? feeling a little less human already? well, hold onto your motherboards, because we're about to dive into a song that's as queer as it is catchy, as philosophical as it is danceable.
past queer things: (11) "sana sana" by nathy peluso | (10) βflowersβ (miley cyrus cover) by marlon caro & lidice | (9) βthis hellβ by rina swayama | (8) "company" by durand bernarr | (7) "queen" by janelle monae feat. erykah badu | see moreβ¦
you can find the one queer thing playlist on spotify here.
one queer thing: "follow the cyborg" by miss grit
born margaret grit, now known professionally as miss grit, this korean-american artist is not your average indie rocker. they're a force of nature, a genre-defying musician who explores themes of identity, belonging, and what it means to be human in a world that often feels increasingly artificial. their song "follow the cyborg" is a perfect encapsulation of their artistry.
from the very first notes, miss grit takes us on a wild ride through a soundscape that's both familiar and alien. the pulsing synths and driving beat create a sense of urgency, like we're racing through a neon-lit cityscape in some cyberpunk fever dream.
but what makes "follow the cyborg" truly queer? well, it's all about embracing the in-between, the both/and rather than the either/or. miss grit, who came out as trans and nonbinary in 2022, uses the metaphor of a cyborg to explore themes of gender identity and self-discovery.
this song embodies bell hooks' definition of queer as:
"being about the self that is at odds with everything around it and has to invent and create and find a place to speak and to thrive and to live."
miss grit's lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone navigating a world where they don't quite fit, constantly reinventing themselves and questioning their reality.
the opening lines about waking up and pretending capture the exhausting cycle many trans and nonbinary folks experience. the daily performance of gender, the constant negotiation between internal identity and external expectations.
miss grit's repeated assertion of being a "living girl" and a "living boy" in the same breath is a powerful rejection of binary gender. it's a declaration that one can embody multiple identities simultaneously.
the imagery of screens and mirrors throughout the song speaks to the fragmented nature of identity in our digital age. it raises questions about authenticity, performance, and the gap between our internal selves and the images we project to the world.
the haunting refrain of "i'm alone, i'm my ghost" evokes the isolation many queer folks feel, even as they navigate increasingly connected digital spaces. it's a poignant reminder of the disconnect between virtual connection and genuine understanding.
finally, the call to "follow the cyborg" is an invitation to embrace fluidity, reject rigid categorizations, and forge new paths of self-expression. it's a rallying cry for those who exist outside traditional binaries, encouraging listeners to find strength in their complexity.
in a world that often tries to put queer people in boxes, "follow the cyborg" is a defiant middle finger to anyone who thinks they can define or limit miss grit - or any of us, for that matter.
this song is a celebration of fluidity, of transformation, of the freedom to be both/and rather than either/or. it's about the power of technology to reshape our understanding of what it means to be human, and the potential for queer and trans people to lead the way in this reimagining.
so the next time you need a boost of confidence, or a reminder of your own power to define yourself, turn up "follow the cyborg" and let miss grit's fierce energy wash over you. dance like nobody's watching, sing along, and remember: you are more than the sum of your parts. you are the one who decides what it means to be you.
what do you think about "follow the cyborg"? does it resonate with you? what other songs make you feel powerful and unapologetically yourself? let me know in the comments!
hasta la prΓ³xima, mis amores! π
edgardβπ½π
p.s. if you're wondering about the whole cyborg thing, it's not just sci-fi nonsense. the concept of the cyborg has been used by feminist and queer theorists for decades to challenge binary thinking about gender, race, and what it means to be human. so when you're jamming to this song, remember: you're not just dancing, you're participating in a long tradition of queer resistance. how's that for multitasking?
p.p.s. seriously, if you haven't listened to the rest of miss grit's catalog, do yourself a favor and check it out. from the dreamy "dark side of the party" to the introspective "imposter," they've got a song for every mood. just don't blame me if you end up questioning your humanity for the next three hours. you've been warned! π
it's that time of the week, y'all - let me pour you a glass of pure, unfiltered brilliance. now, i know about as much about wine as i do about quantum physics (which is to say, absolutely nada), but i do know a thing or two about good people and great stories. so think of me as your substack sommelier with a twist - i may not be able to tell a malbec from a malta india, but i can show you new voices, powerful voices.
today, i'm featuring someone who's not just a gifted, but a kindred spirit in the art of existential crisis. i'm talking about 's substack, .
this millennial puertorriqueΓ±a isn't just surviving her saturn return - she's thriving and writing about it with wit, warmth, and a healthy dose of self-deprecation. and heads up, english speakers - this gem is entirely en espaΓ±ol, so dust off that duolingo app!
perfectamente normal is like that perfect coquito - smooth, comforting, but with enough kick to make you question your choices en la vida.
ale-marie's piece "siempre tΓa, nunca madre" (always an aunt, never a mother) hit me right in the feels. as someone who's fielded one too many "when are you having kids?" questions at family gatherings, i felt seen in ways i didn't even know i needed. her honest exploration of choosing not to have children in the face of societal pressure and climate anxiety? chef's kiss.
but what really knocked me off my feet was her essay "el internet me hizo una hater" (the internet made me a hater). it's a raw, vulnerable exploration of how internet culture impacts our joy and our relationship with capitalism. ale-marie's words capture that mind-bending struggle we face as we try to navigate authenticity in a world of curated online personas and algorithm-driven content. her call to reclaim virtual spaces and embrace our authentic selves? it's the digital revolution we need.
so go ahead, hit that subscribe button and start reading perfectamente normal. your brain, your heart, and your inbox will thank you. plus, you'll finally have a chance to practice that high school spanish (or pick up some puertorriqueΓ±o slang). remember, it's all in spanish, so consider it your weekly cultural immersion. Β‘vamos, mi gente!
before we dive into the fabulousness, let's talk about what's hotter than a drag queen's dance moves: community engagement! π³οΈβ¨ that's right, it's time to flex those civic muscles and make our voices heard in hillcrest, san diego. whether you're a long-time resident or a newbie to our rainbow-tinted paradise, there's something for everyone. grab your calendar (or let's be real, open that phone app) and let's dive into the juicy details of what's happening in our beloved gayborhood!
π³οΈβπ hillcrest community volunteer patrol meeting
date: tomorrow thursday, sept. 12
time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
location: uptown tavern (1236 university ave)
what's the tea: the kiwanis club of hillcrest all inclusive along with community friends are working on a new community volunteer patrol to keep our gayborhood safe in light of all the recent hate crimes and attacks. if you are interested in taking part or just want to listen in, join the volunteer patrol meeting!
π kiwanis club of hillcrest all-inclusive meeting
date: tomorrow thursday, sept. 12
time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
location: uptown tavern (1236 university ave)
what's the tea: come check out the kiwanis club of hillcrest all-inclusive right after the community patrol meeting. michael donovan, chairman of POZabilities, will be speaking! you wonβt want to miss michael and the tranche of opportunities to volunteer and events that will be announced at this meeting for the fall. hereβs the agenda.
i legitimately gasped and cried. thank you for such a wonderful highlight and review π€