If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.

Quote by Audre Lorde

Topics: Audre Lorde Quotes

Life is very short and what we have to do must be done in the...

Life is very short and what we have to do must be done in the...

Our visions begin with our desires.

Our visions begin with our desires.

I would like to do another piece of fiction dealing with a number of issues:...

I would like to do another piece of fiction dealing with a number of issues:...

Black writers, of whatever quality, who step outside the pale of what black writers are...

Black writers, of whatever quality, who step outside the pale of what black writers are...

You know how fighting fish do it? They blow bubbles and in each one of...

You know how fighting fish do it? They blow bubbles and in each one of...

It's a struggle but that's why we exist, so that another generation of Lesbians of...

It's a struggle but that's why we exist, so that another generation of Lesbians of...

When I use my strength in the service of my vision it makes no difference...

When I use my strength in the service of my vision it makes no difference...

There are no new ideas. There are only new ways of making them felt.

There are no new ideas. There are only new ways of making them felt.

I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to...

I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to...

It's possible to take that as a personal metaphor and then multiply it to a...

It's possible to take that as a personal metaphor and then multiply it to a...

I remember how being young and black and gay and lonely felt. A lot of...

I remember how being young and black and gay and lonely felt. A lot of...

In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason...

In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason...

Each time you love, love as deeply as if it were forever.

Each time you love, love as deeply as if it were forever.

Even the smallest victory is never to be taken for granted. Each victory must be...

Even the smallest victory is never to be taken for granted. Each victory must be...

When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of...

When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of...

Part of the lesbian consciousness is an absolute recognition of the erotic within our lives...

Part of the lesbian consciousness is an absolute recognition of the erotic within our lives...

Attend me, hold me in your muscular flowering arms, protect me from throwing any part...

Attend me, hold me in your muscular flowering arms, protect me from throwing any part...

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

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

I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do not have...

I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do not have...

The failure of academic feminists to recognize difference as a crucial strength is a failure...

The failure of academic feminists to recognize difference as a crucial strength is a failure...