Notions of race, gender, and identity often intersect, overlap, and play a pivotal role in the fight against women's oppression, and these terms are frequently used in discourse regarding social reform. This weeks readings touch on several aspects of race, gender, and identity and recognizes the importance in embracing these differences that separate women, reconciling them as a source of empowerment. Audre Lorde goes into detail about these differences in female identity that are essential; "Difference must be not merely be tolerated, but seen as a necessary polarities between which our creativity can spark like a dialectic."
Difference as a source of empowerment and creativity, acknowledged and embraced, is no doubt necessary in order to dismantle social misconceptions about gender and race. However, Lorde's assertion that "The master's tools will never dismantle the master's house" is what I found most interesting. Implicit in this assertion is the suggestion of something more radical to enact social change; Does Lorde suggest that a complete and radical overhaul is necessary in order to enact social change and reform in a patriarchal society? If so, in what form should such radical change present itself, and if not, will acknowledging differences between women really be enough to accomplish these goals? Enacting cultural change is a slow, painful, and resilient process which requires patience, education, and continued awareness; Will this be feasible given the momentum of the current feminist movement and the increasing prevalence of enlightened sexism?
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