As is the case for larger society, not all queer communities are created equal either. For Pride Month, we wanted to hear from those who “do better”. That’s how we got to speak with Malonda, musician and intersectional activist within the queer community of Berlin.
SLEEK: You mentioned before that you would like to dedicate yourself exclusively to your music, but that the need to draw attention to racism within the LGBTQ+ is often more important. To put it bluntly, can’t someone else do it?
Malonda: As an artist, I went on a mission. It has always been the kind of art that takes a stance. I might not have referred to myself as a political artist back then but it’s something that has been growing inside over time. Basically, I think, if everyone did a little more individually, it wouldn’t all fall on the shoulders of activists, who are working to the point of burn-out. We all have to make sure we take care of each other when we’re operating from a marginalized place.
"In the history of pride or even Stonewall it was Black trans women and trans women of Color who threw those bricks.
SLEEK: Many Democrats in the States at the time felt that Hillary Clinton didn’t win the campaign because there was “too much identity politics” involved, thus dividing and “diluting” the voter groups. What do you say to people who feel it would be more beneficial to pull together for queer rights first, rather than “dividing” the group? Do people say that to you as well?
Malonda: Of course, they very often do. My answer is why should one community fighting one kind of exclusion be free from the risk of replicating other exclusions that the heteronormative mainstream produces? If we don’t, from the get go, think of the most marginalized members of our society, we will reproduce conditions that are great for the majority within the marginalized community but that are not going to help those who are under-represented or intersectionally oppressed.
The earliest thinkers of intersectionality, among them names like Sojourner Truth, were very clear about this: to think of liberation from their specific standpoint, as opposed to the liberation of all, THAT was the actual liberation. Whenever, in the past, there was talk of liberating all of those oppressed, these intersectional groups were excluded. That is what identity politics is really about: It’s a revolutionary act to center those communities who are most marginalised and to bring them justice. In the history of pride or even Stonewall it was Black trans women and trans women of Color who threw those bricks. And then afterwards, they weren’t mentioned anymore. They were excluded and forced to retreat to parallel cultures once more. Even their own community did not protect them. That whole argument against identity politics feels disingenuous, honestly speaking.
SLEEK: It is not the job of an oppressed group to teach or instruct others how to deal with the “racism problem” and yet the question is how do you get people on board? What would you like to see happening in the “mainstream” of and perhaps outside of the LGBTQ+ community?
Malonda: To create a space of solidarity, you have to make space for people who are normally not granted that space. And it starts with your own education. You can google anything. Type it in. Won’t hurt. What hurts is when people who are marginalized are constantly asked, “how is it for you?” People think it’s genuine interest but that person has to be in a space of wanting to talk about it. This “free educational work”, I mean, you can find it yourself everywhere.
SLEEK: What comes next? Musically and politically?
Malonda: (laughs) Actually, the answer is the same for both. I’m completing my album now. Some of my political work will be integrated into the music. I mean, it’s still music to dance to and it’s still focused on emotions and physicality. But I’m going to bring to it a greater awareness of our struggles. That’s been a huge and important process for me.
Malonda will be performing at various events and venues this summer, one of which will be the CSD Berlin Pride “Star March” June 26th, 2021. Check out her concert dates and if you’d like to participate in the funding of “Reclaim Pride” you can do so here.