Audre Lorde Quotes

A collection of quotes by Audre Lorde.

Audre Lorde was an influential African American writer, poet, and activist. She was born on February 18, 1934, in New York City. Lorde was raised in Harlem and attended Hunter College and Columbia University. She later became a librarian and went on to work as a professor of English at John Jay College.

Lorde's poetry and writings explored themes of identity, race, gender, and sexuality. She often used her own experiences as a queer woman of color to address the intersectionality of oppression. Lorde's work was characterized by its powerful and bold language, giving voice to marginalized communities and challenging societal norms.

In addition to her literary contributions, Lorde was an active participant in various civil rights and feminist movements. She co-founded Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press, which aimed to amplify the voices of women of color in publishing. Lorde also dedicated herself to raising awareness about breast cancer, coining the term "cancer warrior" to empower those affected by the disease.

Audre Lorde's writings and activism continue to inspire and empower people around the world. Her notable works include "The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde," "Zami: A New Spelling of My Name," and "Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches." Lorde passed away on November 17, 1992, but her legacy lives on, continuing to impact the fields of literature, feminism, and social justice.

It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inabilit

It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.

If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched in

If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.

Each time you love, love as deeply as if it were forever.

Each time you love, love as deeply as if it were forever.

Black women sharing close ties with each other, politically

Black women sharing close ties with each other, politically or emotionally, are not the enemies of Black men.

In discussions around the hiring and firing of Black faculty

In discussions around the hiring and firing of Black faculty at universities, the charge is frequently heard that Black women are more easily hired than are Black men.

The failure of academic feminists to recognize difference as

The failure of academic feminists to recognize difference as a crucial strength is a failure to reach beyond the first patriarchal lesson. In our world, divide and conquer must become define and empower.

Institutionalized rejection of difference is an absolute nec

Institutionalized rejection of difference is an absolute necessity in a profit economy which needs outsiders as surplus people.

Truth

...oppression is as American as apple pie...

...oppression is as American as apple pie...

Truth

Art is not living. It is the use of living.

Art is not living. It is the use of living.

Art

When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the servi

When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.

Strength

I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do n

I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified, because we are taught to respect fear more than ourselves. We've been taught that silence would save us, but it won't.

Fear

In our work and in our living, we must recognize that differ

In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.

Work

I would like to do another piece of fiction dealing with a n

I would like to do another piece of fiction dealing with a number of issues: Lesbian parenting, the 1960's, and interracial relationships in the Lesbian and Gay community.

Parenting

I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.

I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.

Fear

Even the smallest victory is never to be taken for granted.

Even the smallest victory is never to be taken for granted. Each victory must be applauded...

Victory

When we create out of our experiences, as feminists of color

When we create out of our experiences, as feminists of color, women of color, we have to develop those structures that will present and circulate our culture.

Women

I remember how being young and black and gay and lonely felt

I remember how being young and black and gay and lonely felt. A lot of it was fine, feeling I had the truth and the light and the key, but a lot of it was purely hell.

Truth

Poetry is not only dream and vision it is the skeleton archi

Poetry is not only dream and vision it is the skeleton architecture of our lives. It lays the foundations for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been before.

Architecture

We have to consciously study how to be tender with each othe

We have to consciously study how to be tender with each other until it becomes a habit because what was native has been stolen from us, the love of Black women for each other.

Women

The learning process is something you can incite, literally

The learning process is something you can incite, literally incite, like a riot.

Learning