Audre Lorde and the rich heritage of erotic writing
“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 Uses of the Erotic; Audre Lorde, poet, essayist, and activist.
Credit: Robert Giard / Estate of Robert Giard
Audre Lorde was an extraordinary poet, essayist, and activist who redefined what it means to embrace and celebrate the erotic. Her work, especially her concept of the erotic, has been deeply influential in feminist theory, social justice movements, and discussions on the power of self-expression.
Gamba Adisa: “Warrior: She Who Makes Her Meaning Known.” (1)
Her work has certainly had an impact on me, and helped me connect my interest in erotica with wider cultural and social themes. I hope my readers will see something of the social critique contained in Lorde’s essays, reflected in Lauren’s boundary-crossing journey for self discovery.
Writing for the National Women’s History Museum, Mariana Brandman writes:
“Lorde’s work is characterized by its emphasis on matters of social and racial justice, as well as its authentic portrayal of queer sexuality and experience.”(M. Brandman, NWHM). (1)
In the forward to Lorde’s classic collection of essays, Sister Outsider, Pippa Bennett-Warner writes:
“The revolutionary writings of Audre Lorde gave voice to those 'outside the circle of this society's definition of acceptable women'. Uncompromising, angry and yet full of hope…” she “…explores race, sexuality, poetry, friendship, the erotic and the need for female solidarity…” (Pippa Bennett-Warner) (3)
Link: Sister outsider on Spotify (2)
Here’s a closer look at her life, her contributions to the understanding of the erotic, and the legacy of her work.
Who Was Audre Lorde?
Audre Lorde (1934–1992) was an American writer, feminist, and civil rights activist known for her powerful poetry and prose, which focused on themes of race, gender, sexuality, and identity. Born to Caribbean immigrant parents in Harlem, New York, Lorde was drawn to poetry from a young age, using it as a way to articulate her thoughts and emotions in a world that often marginalized her identity as a Black lesbian woman.
Lorde’s work is celebrated for its “honesty, emotional depth, and courage” (1), as she explored both the personal and political dimensions of her experiences. She often spoke out against societal injustices, critiquing racism, sexism, and homophobia while advocating for a world where people of all identities could live freely and authentically. Her writing remains a testament to the power of self-acceptance, resilience, and resistance against oppressive structures.
The Erotic as a Source of Power: Lorde’s Radical Vision
One of Lorde’s most influential contributions to feminist theory is her essay, “The Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power.” In this groundbreaking work, Lorde reclaims the concept of the erotic as something far deeper and more significant than mere sexual desire. For Lorde, the erotic is a “source of creative energy, inner power, and self-knowledge” that each person can harness to live a more fulfilling and authentic life.
Lorde defines the erotic as a sense of heightened awareness, a celebration of the depth of feeling and connection that can transform everyday experiences. She writes,
“The erotic is a measure between the beginnings of our sense of self and the chaos of our strongest feelings.” (2)
In this sense, the erotic represents our inner compass, a force that drives us toward what is meaningful, fulfilling, and true to our deepest selves. Lorde saw the erotic as a tool of empowerment, a way to connect with our own desires, to live with joy, and to resist the societal norms that often restrict us.
Key Concepts in Lorde’s Understanding of the Erotic
For Lorde, the erotic is not limited to sexuality; it is a “life-affirming force” that resides in all areas of life. It’s the energy that fuels creativity, inspires passion, and gives meaning to our experiences. This inner power is something that everyone possesses, yet society often discourages us from embracing it, especially women, who are frequently taught to suppress their desires or ambitions. By connecting with the erotic, Lorde believed individuals could tap into a wellspring of creativity that drives them toward their truest, most fulfilled selves.
In reclaiming the erotic, Lorde emphasized the importance of “self-awareness and autonomy” (2). She argued that by embracing our innermost desires, we learn to listen to ourselves and trust our own voices. This process leads to greater self-knowledge, as we discover what truly matters to us and what brings us joy. For Lorde, this self-knowledge is powerful; it gives individuals the confidence to live in alignment with their values, unencumbered by societal expectations. The erotic, therefore, is both a guide and a source of strength, empowering individuals to pursue what is meaningful and resist what is oppressive.
The Erotic as Resistance to Oppression
Lorde viewed the erotic as a “form of resistance” against systems that seek to control or diminish our sense of self. In her essay, she discusses how mainstream culture often presents a distorted view of the erotic—conflating it with the pornographic or limiting it to sexuality—in an effort to minimize its true power. By reclaiming the erotic, individuals defy these reductive narratives and resist the structures that would otherwise suppress their freedom and self-expression.
Lorde writes, “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.” (2)
For Lorde, this assertion of life-force was radical because it enabled individuals, especially women and marginalized communities, to “reclaim their voices, their bodies, and their desires” in a society that often seeks to silence or exploit them. Embracing the erotic, she argued, was a way to challenge and dismantle the oppressive systems that seek to control how we think, feel, and live.
The Erotic as a Path to Joy and Connection
Lorde believed that the erotic is a path to joy, a deep-seated pleasure that comes from living in alignment with one’s true self. Unlike superficial gratification, the joy of the erotic is profound, arising from a sense of wholeness, connection, and authenticity. This joy is both personal and relational; it includes our connection to ourselves and to others.
Lorde’s Legacy and the Enduring Power of the Erotic
Audre Lorde’s vision of the erotic as a life force, a source of creativity, and a form of empowerment has had a lasting impact on feminist theory, LGBTQ+ activism, and discussions around sexuality and identity. Her ideas challenge us to redefine the erotic, to see it as a powerful tool for self-discovery and transformation rather than something shameful or superficial.
In modern discussions of “self-care, empowerment, and self-love”, Lorde’s concept of the erotic remains incredibly relevant. She reminds us that our capacity for feeling—our ability to experience joy, pleasure, and desire—is central to our humanity and our ability to live fully. For Lorde, the erotic is not something to be hidden away or suppressed; it is something to be cherished, explored, and celebrated as a guiding force in our lives.
How We Can Embrace the Erotic in Our Lives
To embrace the erotic in the way Audre Lorde describes is to live with intention, presence, and a willingness to honor our deepest selves. This can mean finding joy in small, meaningful moments, trusting our own voices, or pursuing creative passions that make us feel alive. It’s about tuning into what truly moves us and using that energy to guide our decisions, our relationships, and our goals.
By honoring the erotic, we recognize that our desires, emotions, and dreams are essential parts of who we are. We reclaim our right to feel deeply, to love boldly, and to live in a way that respects our own inner truths. Lorde’s concept of the erotic thus becomes a framework for living a rich, authentic, and fulfilling life—a life where we are empowered to express ourselves fully, unapologetically, and joyfully.
Final Thoughts
While Lauren’s story is of a white women, privileged in so many ways, I hope readers will see the underlying social and power system that contains her as a woman, and the “love triangle” that traps her, as being in some way connected to the erotic forces that Lorde describes. Lorde offers a universal message for all of humanity.
Audre Lorde’s work on the erotic invites us to step into a new understanding of ourselves and our lives, one that values **connection, presence, and empowerment** over repression or conformity. Her vision challenges us to ask: What do I truly want? What brings me joy? How can I live more authentically? By exploring these questions, we begin to reclaim the erotic as an intrinsic part of our humanity, a source of power that allows us to live more fully and connect more deeply with ourselves and others.
Audre Lorde’s concept of the erotic is not just about intimacy or desire; it’s about embracing the life force within us, the spark that fuels our creativity, our joy, and our desire for connection. In doing so, we create a world where each person can live with freedom, purpose, and a profound sense of self-worth—qualities that Lorde believed were both revolutionary and essential to our collective liberation.
References:
Mariana Brandman, NWHM; Link (readers can find a useful online library here!)
The Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power: Link Sister Outsider. Copyright © 1984 Audre Lorde and The Crossing Press, a division of Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA.
Sister Outsider; Audre Lorde 1984 (P) Penguin Audio 2020
The Atlantic, Danielle Amir Jackson, September 08, 2024 Link
