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17th Floor: A pedagogical oracle from/with Audre Lorde
1a Eternal Summer of the Black Feminist Mind.
Journal of Lesbian Studies
|October 11, 2016
Summary
Audre Lorde's "Blackstudies" poem offers insights into the experiences of Black lesbian feminist educators navigating academic and social challenges. This work serves as a valuable resource for contemporary educators, particularly those from Black and Brown lesbian communities.
Area of Science:
- Black Studies
- African American Literature
- Feminist Pedagogy
Background:
- Audre Lorde's 1974 poem "Blackstudies" reflects her experiences as a Black lesbian feminist professor at City University of New York.
- The poem captures a pivotal era of student protests and the establishment of Black Studies programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze Audre Lorde's "Blackstudies" poem as a lens into the historical and pedagogical landscape of the 1970s.
- To position "17th Floor" as a contemporary resource for Black and Brown lesbian educators.
Main Methods:
- Poetic analysis of Audre Lorde's "Blackstudies."
- Contextualization of the poem within the historical and academic environment of the City University of New York.
- Framing "17th Floor" as an interpretive and practical resource.
Main Results:
- The poem "Blackstudies" illuminates the complexities faced by Black lesbian feminist educators, including stereotypes and silences.
- "17th Floor" provides a framework for understanding and applying Lorde's insights to current educational practices.
Conclusions:
- Audre Lorde's "Blackstudies" remains a relevant and powerful text for understanding the intersectional experiences of marginalized educators.
- "17th Floor" is presented as a vital tool for supporting and empowering current Black and Brown lesbian educators and allies.