Alexis Pauline Gumbs' "Survival Is a Promise" offers a unique and deeply personal exploration of Audre Lorde's life and work. It moves beyond a traditional biographical structure, weaving together personal reflections, historical context, and Lorde's own writings to create an immersive experience. The book emphasizes Lorde's profound connection to the natural world and her understanding of survival as a collective, transformative act. Gumbs' approach invites readers to engage with Lorde's legacy on a personal level, prompting introspection and a deeper understanding of their own lives. The book ultimately celebrates Lorde's enduring impact and her message of love, courage, and resistance.
Adrienne Maree Brown's "Loving Corrections" offers a framework for navigating conflict and fostering transformative change within communities. The book emphasizes the importance of love and accountability in addressing systemic issues and promoting healing. Brown draws on her experience as a facilitator and activist to provide practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations and building stronger relationships. The book explores the concept of 'emergent strategy,' a flexible and adaptable approach to social change that emphasizes collaboration and collective action. It encourages readers to embrace vulnerability and engage in honest dialogue to create more just and equitable societies.
Audre Lorde's "Litany for Survival" is a powerful poem that speaks to the resilience and strength of marginalized communities. It acknowledges the constant fear and uncertainty faced by those who live on the edges of society, yet it ultimately celebrates their survival and triumph. The poem's use of repetition and vivid imagery creates a sense of urgency and immediacy, while its message of hope and solidarity resonates deeply with readers. Lorde's work is a testament to the power of collective resistance and the importance of finding strength in community.
What can we learn from marine mammals in their practices of echolocation? What is the difference between identification as a colonial tool of control and separation, versus identifying with as an invitation to expand and blur boundaries? And how do Audre Lorde’s poetic dreams of survival continue to reverberate during our times — helping us to reorient the ways that we show up for ourselves, for our communities and our planet?
In this episode, we are honored to welcome Alexis Pauline Gumbs, a Queer Black Feminist Love Evangelist, an aspirational cousin to all life, and the author of Undrowned and Survival is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde.
Join us in this heartwarming conversation as we explore lessons from marine mammals, teachings from the artful life of Audre Lorde, the significance of what it means to survive, and more.
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Green Dreamer: Seeding change towards collective healing, sustainability, regeneration 
