}); I remember when my mother was doing chemotherapy, she told me that going to treatment each week felt like she was walking her body (she described it visually almost to be like walking her body on a leash) to the treatment center that her diseased body had become an entity of its own, entirely separate from herself. We must turn this around, not by eliminating difference or pretending it doesnt exist, but examining how it may be used and recognized., 46. I know for certain that a single tumor in one region of my moms body fundamentally changed every part of her life and being. I dont have much to add to this excerpt but I think Lorde beautifully describes the feeling of betrayal that many individuals with severe diseases, especially autoimmune-related ones, experience. if (a[a9]) return; But for every real word spoken, for every attempt I had ever made to speak those truths for which I am still seeking, I had made contact with other women while we examined the words to fit a world in which we all believed, bridging our differences., What is there possibly left for us to be afraid of, after we have dealt face to face with death and not embraced it? I am a post-mastectomy woman who believes our feelings need voice in order to be recognized, respected, and of use. The "knowledge" of fear is useful not only in facing cancer, but other forms of oppression as well. Audre Lorde | Poetry Foundation }); pubID: '3211', adServer: 'googletag', bidTimeout: 4e3, params: { aps_privacy: '1YN' } Lorde is the main character of the book, which consists of essays, journal entries, and new writings from her years struggling with cancer in the late seventies. REFLECTIONS | Black Sheroes: Audre Lorde - MoCADA Poetry is not a luxury | In January 1977 I have come to believe that what is most important to me should be spoken . Audre Lorde (/ d r i l r d /; born Audrey Geraldine Lorde; February 18, 1934 - November 17, 1992) was an American writer, womanist, radical feminist, professor, philosopher and civil rights activist. var e = document.createElement("script"); e.src = "https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41mrkPcyPwL.js"; document.head.appendChild(e); eNotes.com Ed. Quotes; Ask the Author; People; Sign in; Join; Want to read. } The Cancer Journals Key Figures | SuperSummary A Timely Collection of Vital Writing by Audre Lorde googletag.cmd.push(function() { gads.src = (useSSL ? "Unacknowledged class differences rob women of each others' energy and creative insight., 13. This chapter centers around her decision not to wear a prosthesis after her double mastectomy.
