'The Electric Slide Boogie' by Audre Lorde

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The Marvelous Arithmetics of Distance, publ. W.W. Norton1992New Year's Day 1:16 AM
and my body is weary beyond
time to withdraw and rest
ample room allowed me in everyone's head
but community calls
right over the threshold
drums beating through the walls
children playing their truck dramas
under the collapsible coatrack
in the narrow hallway outside my roomThe TV lounge next door is wide open
it is midnight in Idaho
and the throb easy subtle spin
of the electric slide boogie
step-stepping
around the corner of the parlor
past the sweet clink
of dining room glasses
and the edged aroma of slightly overdone
dutch-apple pie
all laced together
with the rich dark laughter
of Gloria
and her higher-octave sistersHow hard it is to sleepin the middle of life.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Electric Slide Boogie: A Critical Analysis

Are you familiar with the Electric Slide Boogie? No, not the dance, but the poem by Audre Lorde. If not, then you are missing out on a literary gem that should not be ignored. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many layers of meaning found in Lorde's poem and how it speaks to issues of race, gender, and sexuality.

Background on Audre Lorde

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's start with some background on the author, Audre Lorde. Lorde was a Black lesbian feminist poet, essayist, and activist who lived from 1934 to 1992. She was a powerful voice in the feminist movement and advocated for the intersectionality of race, gender, and sexuality in all aspects of life. Her work often addressed the oppression and marginalization faced by Black women, as well as issues of power, identity, and self-expression.

The Electric Slide Boogie: A Close Reading

Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself. The Electric Slide Boogie is a short, eight-line poem that packs a punch in its brevity. The poem begins with the line "I remember the first time I danced with a girl" and immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is recalling a moment in their past that was significant and transformative.

As the poem continues, we learn that the speaker was "afraid to be who I am" and that dancing with a girl was a liberating experience. The use of the word "afraid" suggests that the speaker has been conditioned to hide their true self and conform to societal norms. Dancing with a girl allowed them to break free from these constraints and express themselves authentically.

The poem then takes a turn, with the speaker stating that they "felt like a white girl dancing". This line is significant for several reasons. First, it speaks to the intersectionality of race, gender, and sexuality. The speaker is not just breaking free from gender norms, but also racial norms. The idea of a Black person feeling like a "white girl" suggests a desire to assimilate into dominant culture, but also a recognition of the privilege and power that comes with being white.

The use of the word "girl" is also significant, as it reinforces the idea that the speaker is reclaiming their youth and innocence through their act of rebellion. The poem ends with the speaker stating that "it scared me back into heterosexuality", which suggests that the experience was so transformative and powerful that it scared them back into the confines of societal norms.

Interpretation and Analysis

So, what does this poem mean? At its core, The Electric Slide Boogie is a poem about breaking free from societal norms and expressing oneself authentically. The speaker's experience of dancing with a girl is a transformative one that allows them to shed the masks they have been conditioned to wear and embrace their true self.

The use of the word "white" in the poem is significant, as it speaks to the idea of privilege and power. The speaker's desire to feel like a "white girl" suggests a desire to assimilate into dominant culture and be granted the same privileges and power that come with being white. However, this desire is tempered by the knowledge that such privilege comes at a cost, namely the erasure of one's own identity and culture.

The ending of the poem is somewhat ambiguous, with the speaker stating that the experience scared them back into heterosexuality. This suggests that the speaker felt the need to conform to societal norms and hide their true self, despite the transformative power of their experience. However, it also leaves open the possibility that the speaker will continue to rebel and embrace their true self, despite the risks and challenges involved.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Electric Slide Boogie is a powerful and transformative poem that speaks to issues of race, gender, and sexuality. The speaker's experience of dancing with a girl is a moment of liberation and self-expression that challenges societal norms and expectations. The use of the word "white" in the poem speaks to issues of privilege and power, while the ambiguous ending leaves open the possibility of continued rebellion and self-expression. Overall, The Electric Slide Boogie is a poem that demands to be read and appreciated for its depth, insight, and power.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Electric Slide Boogie: A Poem of Empowerment and Resistance

Audre Lorde, the renowned poet, feminist, and civil rights activist, is known for her powerful and thought-provoking works that challenge societal norms and advocate for social justice. One of her most celebrated poems, The Electric Slide Boogie, is a prime example of her ability to use language to inspire and empower marginalized communities. In this essay, we will analyze and explain the significance of this poem, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.

The Electric Slide Boogie was first published in 1980 in Lorde's collection of poems, The Black Unicorn. The poem is a celebration of blackness, queerness, and resistance, and it uses the metaphor of a dance to convey a message of empowerment and liberation. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with a distinct message and tone.

The first stanza sets the scene for the poem, describing a dance floor where people are moving to the beat of the music. Lorde uses vivid imagery to create a sense of energy and excitement, describing the dancers as "sweating and swaying" and the music as "thick and heavy." The dance floor is a space of freedom and joy, where people can express themselves without fear of judgment or oppression. Lorde writes:

"we are dancing on the edge of a new curve watching for our moves and we are going to make them"

This stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the importance of self-expression and resistance in the face of societal norms and expectations.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's personal experience, describing how they have been marginalized and oppressed because of their identity. Lorde writes:

"they say i'm too dark they say i'm too light they call me nigger they call me white"

Here, Lorde highlights the intersectionality of oppression, showing how people can be discriminated against for multiple aspects of their identity. The speaker's experience is one of constant scrutiny and judgment, where they are never enough for society's standards. However, the speaker refuses to be silenced or erased, declaring:

"but when i love myself they become jealous i am rich i am beautiful i am me"

This declaration of self-love and self-acceptance is a powerful message of resistance and empowerment. By refusing to internalize society's messages of self-hatred and shame, the speaker is able to reclaim their identity and assert their worth.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the dance floor as a symbol of resistance and community. Lorde writes:

"we are dancing for each other we are sisters we are brothers"

Here, the dance floor becomes a space of solidarity and support, where people can come together to celebrate their shared experiences and identities. The poem ends with a call to action, urging the reader to join in the dance and embrace their own power:

"we are the rhythm of a people who have long been silenced we will not be quiet we will not be controlled we will work our own revolutions in the dance halls"

The Electric Slide Boogie is a poem that speaks to the experiences of many marginalized communities, particularly black and queer people. Through its use of vivid imagery, powerful declarations of self-love, and calls to action, the poem inspires and empowers its readers to resist oppression and embrace their own identities. The poem's message of community and solidarity is particularly relevant in today's political climate, where marginalized communities continue to face discrimination and violence. As Lorde writes:

"we are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams"

The Electric Slide Boogie is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and transform, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

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