A Burst of Light
by Audre Lorde
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Book Summary Information
Author: Audre LordeEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1988-04
ISBN: 0932379397
Number of pages: 134
Publisher: Firebrand Books
Book Reviews of A Burst of Light
Book Review: Uncompromisingly Radical, and Brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
In this beautiful collection of interviews, essays, and journal writings, Audre Lorde remains true to her radical feminist politic, one she espoused all her life. She also clearly articulates her belief in living self-consciously, as a poet, with integrity. The highlight of this collection is an interview Lorde gave shortly before her death, explaining her opposition to sadomasochism.
The interview reflects Lorde's lifelong commitment to affirming the erotic, while fighting against the racism, sexism, and male dominance inherent to pornography and sadomasochistic sex. Lorde writes, to assert that the idea of power over powerlessness is erotic, is unjustifiable, because it prepares us either to accept subordination, or enforce dominance. She calls S and M sex a tired, one-sided mode of human relating that continues to allow white men to oppress women and people of Color, and the overwhelming prevelance of masochistic images of women in pornography and media today, bear out Lorde's assertion that this kind of sex is commercialized, soul-numbing and quite frankly, trite.
To play along with the idea that dominance is sexy, one must buy into a white male view of sex, according to Lorde, and that discourages women and men from questioning the social, political and emotional factors that keep men in positions of power even outside the bedroom.
Lorde brings up valid points here that do not deserve to be written off, for one does have to wonder if men who feel more sexually excited by the idea of using power or force "in play" against women during sex, rather than engaging in more egalitarian activities, can truly see women as equal human beings. This book is not for men who feel defensive about questioning their own inability to experience sex without focusing on power differences. This book is for men and women willing to examine their own choices and ideas, in an attempt to create the kind of future Lorde envisioned--one free of racism and sexism.
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