Self-Preservation

[wlotus]

Black women who survive have a head start in learning how to be open and self-protective at the same time. One secret is to ask as many people as possible for help, depending on all of them and on none of them at the same time. Some will help, others cannot. For the time being.

Another secret is to find some particular thing your soul craves for nourishment--a different religion, a quiet spot, a dance class--and satisfy it. That satisfaction does not have to be costly or difficult. Only a need that is recognized, articulated, and answered.

There is an important difference between openness and naiveté. Not everyone has good intentions nor means me well. I remind myself I do not need to change these people, only recognize who they are.

~ Audre Lorde

Comments

[faerie-spark.livejournal.com]

That was one tough lady! I may not be a black woman, but I can definitely appreciate her wisdom.

She left us too soon.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

rockbirthedme recently introduced me to her. She was tough. It's been interesting to read her essays and see into her mind.

[verucas-chaos.livejournal.com]

Beautiful words...powerful thoughts.

[heronblue.livejournal.com]

I discovered Audre Lorde when I was coming out as a teenager, as many of her writings touch on the subject of homosexuality as well as race and feminism. It's inspiring to realize that she was essentially writing about her own experience as a human, but did so in such a way that it is relevant to so many.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I never thought much about race...rather, I never let myself think much about it. But in the past few years I have gotten much more aware of how race in America affects my life: both in the way I view the world as well as how the world views me. Reading her words has helped me accept that fact and validate the ways in which I notice race, rather than pretending I don't notice race when I very much do.