Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches

An essential book of essays, that while mostly written in the seventies and eighties, felt contemporary in an extremely scary way. There is still so much work to be done against racism, sexism. The other side was only hiding, and not in deep cover. It’s up to all of us.

Sister Outsider is not a comfortable book. Instead, Audre Lord is sharp, direct, and very clear about what she is asking from the reader. Sister Outsider is a collection of essays that centers Black women’s experiences in a way that does not pause to explain itself. Audre Lorde writes with conviction and clarity as she moves through racism, sexism, identity, and power. Each essay feels like stepping into a different conversation, but they all circle the same truth. You are either willing to sit with it or you are not. I am going to be honest. I do not think I am the target audience for this book. That awareness shaped my entire reading experience. There is a level of lived experience behind these essays that I cannot relate to, and I felt that gap the whole time. It made me more aware of what I do not know. As a white female reader, there is only so much insight I can add when the perspective at the center of the book is not one I have lived. That realization felt uncomfortable, but also important. The conversation about her time in Russia caught my attention in a way I did not expect. The contrast in how Black women were perceived outside of the United States raised questions that stuck with me long after I finished that section. It made me pause and really think about how much of what we believe is shaped by the narratives we are given. I actually loved the essay format. It worked really well for me on audio because it felt like starting fresh every time. I do not think I would have finished this if I had been reading a physical copy. The conversational tone translated much better through listening. The narration was solid but a little monotone for emotions the material was expressing. Robin Eller was clear and easy to follow, which matters for a book like this. I just wanted more inflection because these essays carry so much weight. Sister Outsider is a book that asks something from you. It is not trying to entertain you or make you feel good. It is trying to make you think harder and look closer. I respect that. Even when it pushed me outside of my comfort zone.

I love Audre Lorde and this book contains works that I revisit time and time again.

Lorde’s unique way of thinking and communicating is on display in these essays about race and feminism. This is especially true in the lengthy interview in the middle of the book. I might have done better to start with her poetry though.