Every Black woman in America lives her life somewhere along a wide curve of ancient and unexpressed angers.

The fear that we cannot grow beyond whatever distortions we may find within ourselves keeps us docile and loyal and obedient, externally defined, and leads us to accept many facets of our own oppression as women.

I am a reflection of my mother’s secret poetry as well as of her hidden angers

Without community, there is no liberation.

Sadomasochism is an institutionalized celebration of dominant/subordinate relationships. And, it prepares us either to accept subordination or to enforce dominance. Even in play, to affirm that the exertion of power over powerlessness is erotic, is empowering, is to set the emotional and social stage for the continuation of that relationship, politically, socially, and economically.

I cannot shut you out the way I shut the others out, so maybe I can destroy you. Must destroy you?

What woman here is so enamored of her own oppression that she cannot see her heel print upon another woman's face?