Janelle Monáe is not here for period shamers.
The singer/actress took to Twitter on Friday to proclaim the importance of lifting up women and their periods because of what it means to the existence of the world.
“Menstrual Period Blood. #WomensHistoryMonth,” she said. “It’s sad that there are prob folks more grossed out by and/or ashamed of menstrual period blood than they are the current administration.”
Adding, “Never forget girls & women birthed the human race and hold the power to unbirth it. Y’all gone learn.”
She went on to discuss with a follower about the adjective “gross” when applied to periods.
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“[Period blood] is a by product of the period (a natural and biological change that occurs in the female). When a person uses language like ‘gross’ this causes the person on the receiving end to feel ashamed, embarrassed, humiliated, etc.”
Periods have always been something women endure but rarely talk about publicly. Women and girls are shamed for just having their period in many countries, including places like Nepal where the practice of chaupadi takes place (a tradition of making girls on their period stay outside until its completed). And according to Thinx.org, 100 million girls miss school because of their periods.
So while it may seem “gross” to some, Janelle Monae’s statements were perfectly in line with the spirit of Women’s History Month.