Pride Highlight: Audre Lorde (And Why Her Words Matter Today)

Hello there My fellow angelic troublemakers 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽. I hope your week is off to a great start.

This Pride HighLight topic focuses on Audre Lorde and her ideas.

You’ve probably seen her quotes popping up on your social media feed at some point. Lines like: "Your silence will not protect you." If you have seen this by chance, then those words belong to Audre Lorde. She was a Black, lesbian writer, mother, and activist who passed away in 1992, but honestly, her ideas feel like they were written exactly for what we are going through today. She spent her life fighting for equality, and the more I learn about her, the more I realize how much she completely changed the way we look at fairness and community.

Here are the three big things she taught the world that really stick with me:

1. The True Meaning of "Self-Care"

These days, we think self-care means buying a fancy coffee, taking a bubble bath, or treating ourselves. But Audre Lorde actually pioneered the term while she was battling cancer and fighting systemic racism. To her, self-care wasn't a luxury. It meant keeping yourself healthy, rested, and alive so you have the strength to keep going. It’s about survival, not spoiling yourself.

2. Our Differences Make Us Stronger

A lot of times, people think that to get along, we all have to look, think, and act the same. Lorde said that is a huge mistake. She believed our differences whether it’s our race, gender, background, or sexuality are actually our greatest strengths. We should not just "tolerate" each other; we should actually listen and learn from what makes us different.

3. Speaking Your Truth

This is probably the hardest one to practice, but Lorde firmly believed that staying silent out of fear does not protect anyone. She constantly pushed regular people like you and me to speak up against injustice, even when it feels terrifying, because our words have real power.

Conclusion

The biggest takeaway for me is that Audre Lorde’s legacy is not just for history textbooks. She reminds us that our voices matter, our unique identities are something to be proud of, and taking care of our own mental and physical health is the very first step to making the world a better place.

So, remember angelic troublemakers out there that you are unique and your voice matters. If you enjoyed this blog, make sure to comment below. Stay safe out there and always chill vibes.