Consent Quote by June Jordan
““I have been the meaning of rape I have been the problem everyone seeks to eliminate by forced penetration with or without the evidence of slime and/ but let this be unmistakable this poem is not consent I do not consent””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “I Have Been the Meaning of Rape” (published in 1990)
The poem declares non‑consent, confronting how rape is framed as a problem to be solved rather than a violation of agency.
In simple terms: Rape is a violation, not a problem to fix.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect consent.
Themes
violence
consent
agency
Mood
urgent
defiant
Type
poetic
activist
When to use this quote
- courtroom testimony
- personal narrative
- education
- policy debate
Key Concepts
feminist theory
ethical boundaries
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we better teach consent?
- What societal narratives need to change?
A Different Perspective
The poem’s intensity may be overwhelming for some audiences.
