Gender Inequality In The Tempest By Audre Lorde

Social activist Audre Lorde articulates the detrimental impact of oppression on society as a whole and exemplifies it as a perpetual cycle in humanity through the context of the gender inequality. Lorde states, “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” She advocates for marginalized voices through solidarity over charity, and expressing inequality as a two-way street: even the oppressor is not free until all are free. She articulates that by setting free the oppressed, people can set themselves free. While she places this idea in the context of gender inequality, by nature it applies to all forms of inequality in society. These aspects of oppression are fundamental to understanding inequality,

Categorizing and creating inequality among groups of people is inherent in human nature. Lorde’s statement demonstrates that this cycle of oppression is inherent in human nature. Her belief of standing in solidarity with the oppressed is not only prevalent in modern feminism, but also in 19th century colonialism, racial tensions throughout the 1900s, and more. For example, Martinician political activist Aimé Césaire adapted Shakespeare’s The Tempest in order to depict the racial tensions throughout the 1900s, and demonstrate the eternal impact of inequality on the oppressed and the oppressors. He shows that marginalizing specific groups only leads to negative outcomes for society as a whole. Césaire deliberately illustrates the mental demise of the oppressor, Prospero, to depict the negative impact oppression has even on the ‘free.’ Through this dark portrayal, Césaire captivated an unjust society and demonstrated the error of their ways. Lorde’s quote exemplifies these ideals regarding racial inequality illustrated in the mid 20th century. Thus, it demonstrates the perpetual cycle of oppression that humans undergo. Inequality creates unrest for all of society regardless of whether it is regarding race, gender, or any other type of group. Thus, both Césaire and Lorde promote solidarity to eliminate social conflict and instill

Like many others, I personally cannot in live in complete peace and experience true prosperity at the expense of others. The structure of our society unfairly but inherently sets up some people to succeed and others to struggle. While we may work hard for what we have, it is still clear that we benefit from the oppression and exploitation of others in both our own country and abroad. While this notion unsettles me, it encourages me to use my own privilege to support and stand in solidarity with the oppressed. In my opinion, that is the entire point of both Lorde and Césaire’s work. Through acknowledging our own privilege, we can use this privilege to support those who can’t necessarily speak up for themselves.

Understanding this perpetual cycle of oppression is key to both eliminating inequality and understanding the human condition. Lorde emphasizes that if others are oppressed, as humans we have a civil obligation to take a stand against injustice; we cannot settle with or find comfort in benefitting from the struggle of others. It is our responsibility to defend marginalized voices and end the