Sarah-Laure Xavier Professor Alessia Mastrorillo FEM1100 [A] May 13th 2025 Critical Reading Response Reading: "The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House," by Audre Lorde 1. Previewing Separate file attached to BrightSpace 2. Contextualizing Audre Lorde initially presented this essay at the Second Sex Conference in New York City in 1979. Later, it was published in 1984 in a collection of essays titled "Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches." During significant social and political movements in the United States, including civil rights and feminism, the author was influenced by the second wave of feminism, which focused on equality and discrimination. These contexts shaped the author's advocacy for including Black feminists, lesbians, …show more content…
Audre Lorde's essay lacks explicit references to qualitative or quantitative research but establishes credibility through personal experiences and critical analysis of feminism's treatment of difference. She uses rhetorical questions and personal anecdotes to challenge biases and highlight limitations in feminist discourse. Lorde's logic points out the narrow scope of systems and calls for recognizing diversity as crucial for practical feminism. She challenges the audience to recognize the independence and mutual support that can arise from acknowledging differences, which is a logical step towards a more inclusive and effective feminist. Her essay has a significant emotional impact, as she urges the audience to confront their biases and the "terror and loathing of any difference" within themselves. This call to introspection is powerful and can evoke emotions, from discomfort to empathy. In summary, while lacking empirical support, Lorde's argument is logically sound, credible due to personal insights, and emotionally impactful, calling for self-reflection and embracing diversity in feminism. 7. What is the difference between a'smart' and