When I speak of the erotic, then I speak of it as an assertion of the life force of women; of that creative energy empowered, the knowledge and use of which we are now reclaiming in our language, our history, our dancing, our loving, our work, our lives.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes women's empowerment through their erotic energy as a vital force in life.
Audre Lorde's quote highlights the significance of the erotic as an expression of women's life force and creative energy. It suggests that reclaiming this aspect of femininity is essential for women's self-identity, influencing their language, history, and various facets of their lives, including love and work. Through embracing this energy, women can assert their power and creativity.
In practice
This quote can be used in a women's empowerment workshop to highlight the importance of reclaiming personal strength.
The fact that we are here and that I speak these words is an attempt to break that silence and bridge some of those differences between us, for it is not difference which immobilizes us, but silence. And there are so many silences to be broken.
There is no thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.
There are no new ideas. There are only new ways of making them felt.
I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.
I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.
There's always someone asking you to underline one piece of yourself - whether it's Black, woman, mother, dyke, teacher, etc. - because that's the piece that they need to key in to. They want to dismiss everything else.
Hall of Love has ten thousand swords. Don't be afraid to use one.
Love cannot be forced, love cannot be coaxed and teased. It comes out of heaven, unasked and unsought.
Real love is demanding. I would fail in my mission if I did not clearly tell you so. For it was Jesus - our Jesus himself - who said: 'You are my friends if you do what I command you'. Love demands effort and a personal commitment to the will of God. It means discipline and sacrifice, but it also means joy and human fulfilment.
Joy is the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved.
Watching you walk out of my life does not make me bitter or cynical about love. But rather makes me realize that if I wanted so much to be with the wrong person, how beautiful it will be when the right person comes along.
Heart, we will forget him! You and I, to-night! You may forget the warmth he gave, I will forget the light. When you have done, pray tell me, That I my thoughts may dim; Haste! lest while you’re lagging, I may remember him!
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