Black Quotes by Audre Lorde

Anger, used, does not destroy. Hatred does.

— Audre Lorde

Every Black woman in America lives her life somewhere along a wide curve of ancient and unexpressed angers.

— Audre Lorde

I remember how being young and black and gay and lonely felt. A lot of it was fine, feeling I had the…

— Audre Lorde

In discussions around the hiring and firing of Black faculty at universities, the charge is frequently heard that Black women are more…

— Audre Lorde

I am a Black Lesbian Feminist Warrior Poet Mother, stronger for all my identities, and I am indivisible.

— Audre Lorde

I am Black because I come from the earth's inside now take my word for jewel in the open light.

— Audre Lorde

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

— Audre Lorde

The white fathers told us: I think, therefore I am. The black goddess within each of us - the poet - whispers…

— Audre Lorde

“For Black women as well as Black men, it is axiomatic that if we do not define ourselves for ourselves, we will…

— Audre Lorde

There's always someone asking you to underline one piece of yourself - whether it's Black, woman, mother, dyke, teacher, etc. - because…

— Audre Lorde

Black women are programmed to define ourselves within this male attention and to compete with each other for it rather than to…

— Audre Lorde

Whenever a conscious Black woman raises her voice on issues central to her existence, somebody is going to call her strident, because…

— Audre Lorde

I am a Black Feminist. I mean I recognize that my power as well as my primary oppressions come as a result…

— Audre Lorde

“Black women who define ourselves and our goals beyond the sphere of a sexual relationship can bring to any endeavor the realized…

— Audre Lorde

I stand here as a black lesbian feminist, having been invited to comment within the only panel at this conference where the…

— Audre Lorde

It is not the destiny of Black America to repeat white America's mistakes. But we will, if we mistake the trappings of…

— Audre Lorde

But in a crunch, when all our asses are in the sling, it looks like it is easier to deal with the…

— Audre Lorde

As a Black lesbian feminist comfortable with the many different ingredients of my identity, and a woman committed to racial and sexual…

— Audre Lorde

Within the lesbian community I am Black, and within the Black community I am a lesbian. Any attack against Black people is…

— Audre Lorde

Black and Third World people are expected to educate white people as to our humanity. Women are expected to educate men. Lesbians…

— Audre Lorde

Those of us who stand outside the circle of this society's definition of acceptable women; those of us who have been forged…

— Audre Lorde

But, on the other hand, I get bored with racism too and recognize that there are still many things to be said…

— Audre Lorde

Perhaps...I am the face of one of your fears. Because I am a woman, because I am Black, because I am a…

— Audre Lorde

Black writers, of whatever quality, who step outside the pale of what black writers are supposed to write about, or who black…

— Audre Lorde

Raising Black children-female and male-in the mouth of a racist, sexist, suicidal dragon is perilous and chancy. If they cannot love and…

— Audre Lorde

We have to consciously study how to be tender with each other until it becomes a habit because what was native has…

— Audre Lorde