Audre Lorde: What's Not to Love?

Black. Feminist. Writer. Poet. Activist. Lesbian. Mother.

I can think of no other feminist that inspires me more than Audre Lorde (except maybe, Ani Difranco). Born in the 1930s, Audre Lorde was raised by Caribbean immigrants in New York City. Bright from a young age, she attended Hunter College, National University of Mexico, and Columbia University.

Known to many as a visionary poet and writer, she is known to the feminist movement for many reasons. Firstly, because she criticized feminism for being centered around white, middle class women and fought for the inclusion of feminism, something that modern day feminism has greatly benefited from. Secondly, she stressed the UNITY of all women, regardless of race, class or sexual orientation. She also argued that racism, sexism, and homophobia were all linked. Thirdly, she remains one of the main activists who fought against the oppression of black women, and more generally, racism.

Currently, I am reading Sister Outsider, a collection of her lectures and essays. She has such a way with words that I find myself in tears more often then not. And, like the poet that she is, she crafts her words in such a way that you feel immensely human. A skill, no doubt, that any decent poet possesses.

This, I think, is one of Audre Lorde’s major strengths: her ability to pull at your heart strings, withdrawing sympathy, compassion and understanding from deep within you.

If I had to sum up Audre Lorde in two words it would probably be

VISIONARY
WARRIOR.