Uses of the erotic Book

Yes! This essay is short and SO DAMN GOOD. Lorde argues that eroticism, which has been inappropriately relegated to the domain of sex only, should instead be understood as a basic life force of vitality and creative power that guides us truthfully in all interactions. It is a depth of feeling & engagement with ourselves and others. It relates to sexuality, but doesn't end there. It transcends all domains of life (that we've been instructed to keep in neat, separate boxes).

I especially love the distinction Lorde makes between eroticism and pornography - that they are actually diametrically opposed uses of the sexual because "pornography emphasizes sensation without feeling" and eroticism feels (and responds) deeply. (Not trying to do any shaming, just loving that her exploration asks us what lies beyond the "low-hanging fruit" of engagement with our sexual natures. She's like, 'what's beyond that, what's more creative, more liberatory, more powerful?').