Responding to Audre Lorde's Essay

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a) This is my sample response to the essay: "The Transformation of  Silence into Language and Action" by Audre Lorde.

The question that hits me first is one she asks herself: "Of what had I ever been afraid?" What have I been afraid of and why? Were there very good reasons to be afraid of speaking up or of being myself in front of others?

Then she writes these two doozies: "My silences had not protected me. Your silence will not protect you." She's correct. I'm guessing that people who know me best would state that I speak my mind, but I do filter out A LOT to protect others' feelings. I censor myself at times when I probably shouldn't, just so people will like me.

"What are the words you do not yet have? What do you need to say?" It starts with my syllabus piece about mental health. I want students to know that I will give a voice to those who have had depression, among other issues. I also need to speak out more in protection of people of size, people with disabilities (so many events and situations are ableist!), poor people (classism), and people of color (racism). I have privilege as a white woman. I can and should speak up on others' behalves when they are unable to do so for themselves, and when they are able to speak up for themselves, I need to step aside and not speak over them. They are experts of their words and their silences.

I was going to end my reflection by sharing what her daughter says (it's so damn powerful), but instead, I like this piece about the third day of Kwanza:

"Today is the  third day of Kwanza, and the principle for today is Ujima- collective work and responsibility - the decision to build and  maintain ourselves and our communities together and to  recognize and solve our problems together." 

b) If I were to write a private letter to myself for the second part of this activity, I would get into more details as to when I've been silent with family, friends, and co-workers. 

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