“Good morning, class.”
“Good morning, Dr. Brown-Gaines!”
“Today we will be discussing the early 2020s and humanity’s defeat of capitalism. We will specifically be looking at the Orange Dump’s second term and his administration’s role in accelerating the collapse of the formerly United States.”
“Dr. Brown-Gaines, I have a question.”
“Yes, Beyawnsay”
“After reading last night’s texts, I just want to know how in the world did you all keep your sanity in the midst of all that mess?
“Well…”
*Intercom bell rings three times*
“Good morning, students. Please rise for our Black feminist ancestors.”
*We all stand and place our hands over our heart*
“‘There is No Hierarchy of Oppression’ by Audre Lorde”
“I was born Black, and a woman. I am trying to become the strongest person I can become to live the life I have been given and to help effect change towards a livable future for this earth and my children.
As a ______students insert marginalized identities here______, I usually find myself part of some group in which the majority defines me as deviant, difficult, inferior, or just plain wrong.
From my membership in all these groups I have learned that oppression and the intolerance of difference come in all shapes and sizes and colors and sexualities; and that among those of us who share the goals of liberation and a workable future for our children, there can be no hierarchy of oppression. I have learned that sexism (a belief in the inherent superiority of one sex over all others and thereby its right to dominance) and heterosexism (a belief in the inherent superiority of one pattern of loving over all others and thus its right to dominance) both arise from the same source as racism – a belief in the inherent superiority of one race over all others and thereby its right to dominance.
‘Oh,’ says a voice from the Black community, ‘but being Black is NORMAL!’ Well, I and many Black people of my age can remember grimly when it didn’t used to be!”
“I simply do not believe that one aspect of myself can possibly profit from the oppression of any other part of my identity. I know that my people cannot possibly profit from the oppression of any other group which seeks the right to peaceful existence. Rather, we diminish ourselves by denying to others what we have shed blood to obtain for our children. And those children need to learn that they do not have to become like each other in order to work together for a future they will all share.”
“The increased attacks attacks upon lesbians and gay men WERE ONLY *cheers* an introduction to the increased attacks upon all Black people, for wherever oppression manifests itself in this country, Black people are potential victims.” “And it is a standard of right-wing cynicism to encourage members of oppressed groups to act against each other, and so long as we are divided because of our particular identities we cannot join together in effective political action.”
“Within the lesbian community I am Black, and within the Black community I am a lesbian. Any attack against Black people is a lesbian and gay issue, because I and thousands of other Black women are part of the lesbian community. Any attack against lesbians and gays is a Black issue, becuase thousands of lesbians and gay men are Black. There is no hierarchy of oppression.” “THERE IS NO HIERARCHY OF OPPRESSION!!”
“It is not accidental that the Family Protection Act, which WAS virtually antiwoman and antiblack, WAS also antigay.” “As a Black person, I know who my enemies are, and when the Klu Klux Klan goes to court in Detroit to try and force the board of education to remove books the Klan believes ‘hint at homosexuality,’ then I KNOW I CANNOT AFFORD THE LUXURY OF FIGHTING ONE FORM OF OPPRESSION ONLY!”
“I cannot afford to believe that freedom from intolerance is the right of only one particular group. And I cannot afford to choose between the fronts upon which I must battle these forces of discrimination, wherever they appear to destroy me. And when they appear to destroy me, it will not be long before they appear to destroy you! In Black feminism we trust.”
“You may be seated.”
For educational and informative purposes only. All rights to “There is No Hierarchy of Oppression” belong to Audre Lorde and the publishers. No money was received in exchange for this piece. Please don’t sue. Source: Audre Lorde, Rudolph P. Byrd, Johnnetta B. Cole, and Beverly Guy-Sheftall. I Am Your Sister: Collected and Unpublished Writings of Audre Lorde. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Connect with us for more blog posts on topics in Black feminism, music, and history brought to you by Break the Seal Press, a womanist press dedicated to transforming the world through culturally empowering literature and grassroots activism founded by Spelman grad, musician, local herstorian, and writer, Jacqueline H. Brown-Gaines. Follow @BreaktheSealPress on IG, FB, and Bluesky!! You can support this work by reading and sharing it, sending us a lil something @ $btspress on Cashapp or by purchasing my debut short story, Adventures with the Funk Haus Band, on this same website.
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