: Lorde emphasizes the crucial importance of defining oneself rather than accepting society's definitions. She explores how marginalized individuals, particularly Black women, must resist external categorizations and embrace their authentic selves, even when doing so places them outside conventional social norms. This act of self-definition becomes a form of political resistance and personal empowerment.

: The book examines how different forms of oppression intersect and compound each other. Lorde demonstrates how understanding these intersections is crucial for survival and resistance. She shows that acknowledging the complex ways in which racism, sexism, homophobia, and classism interact is essential for creating meaningful social change.

: Rather than viewing difference as a barrier to overcome, Lorde presents it as a source of creativity and strength. She argues that embracing our differences - whether they be racial, sexual, or social - can lead to more authentic connections and more effective coalition-building among marginalized groups.