In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference

In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference

Audre Lorde
22/09/2025
22/09/2025

In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.

(6 evaluate)
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference

The words of Audre Lorde—“In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction”—shine like a beacon of timeless wisdom. They remind us that the varied colors of humanity are not threats but gifts, not barriers but bridges, if only we open our hearts to see them as such.

In the ancient ways, the world was seen as a great tapestry, each thread distinct in hue and texture. To deny difference was to unravel the design; to honor it was to behold the harmony of the whole. So too does Lorde proclaim that the fabric of society is strengthened when we rejoice in variety, when we see the unfamiliar not as an enemy but as a teacher.

The warning is clear: when difference is met with fear or hatred, it breeds destruction. History bears witness to this—empires crumbled, communities torn asunder, because they could not accept the richness of diversity. Yet when difference is met with reverence, it becomes a seed of growth, sprouting new ways of being, new wisdoms, new strengths born from the union of contrasts.

Her call to celebration is both radical and eternal. For joy is the antidote to suspicion, and reverence the cure for division. To lift up the uniqueness of each soul is to weave a world where no voice is silenced, and no presence diminished. This is not only noble in thought but necessary for survival, for life itself thrives on diversity.

So let this teaching be remembered: in both work and living, do not fear the other, but embrace them. See in difference not a fracture, but a path to wholeness. For only when we honor the multitude within humanity shall we find true growth, and only then shall our days be marked not by destruction, but by flourishing.

Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde

American - Poet February 18, 1934 - November 17, 1992

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Have 6 Comment In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference

TTham

Lorde’s message is a call to rethink how we view difference, not just as something to tolerate, but as something to embrace. But in practice, how do we navigate the challenges that arise from real differences in perspective or approach, especially in professional or social settings? Can we truly create spaces where differences lead to positive change, or does the desire for uniformity still overshadow growth in many situations?

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TLHo Tung Lam

This quote really resonates with me because it’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing difference as something to fear or eliminate. Lorde reminds us that difference should be celebrated as it brings new perspectives and opportunities for growth. But how do we cultivate this mindset in communities that may be resistant to change? How do we encourage people to see diversity as a way forward rather than something to overcome?

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GDGold D.dragon

Audre Lorde’s words are a powerful reminder that our differences don’t have to divide us; they can actually help us grow. But is it possible to genuinely view difference as a strength in places where uniformity is often valued? How can we shift systems and structures that promote conformity, so that individuals can thrive by being their authentic, diverse selves without fear of rejection or marginalization?

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KNken nguyen

I love how Lorde highlights the potential for growth through difference, but it raises the question: how do we cultivate the kind of mindset that celebrates differences, especially in environments that have historically emphasized conformity? What practical steps can individuals and organizations take to move beyond tolerance to true celebration of diversity in all its forms?

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NHKhang Nguyen Hoang

Lorde’s perspective on difference is refreshing because it emphasizes how diversity should be celebrated. But I wonder—how do we overcome the societal tendency to see difference as a source of conflict? How can we change the narrative around differences in culture, race, gender, and thought, so that people no longer feel threatened by them but see them as opportunities for personal and collective growth?

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