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Evan Prodromou@evan@cosocial.ca (2026-05-29 11:20:53)
Reminded of the Audrey Lord quote by @majorlinux: "For the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house."
This is a weird quote because it doesn't really follow within the logic of the metaphor. Why wouldn't his tools dismantle his house?
Reply
---Replies---
Evan Prodromou@evan@cosocial.ca (2026-05-29 11:23:47)
It'd make more sense if the person's profession was one that used vastly different tools than would be required by the dismantling process. "The printmaker's tools will never dismantle the printmaker's boat." "The stonemason's tools will never dismantle the stonemason's newsletter."
bignose@bignose@sw-development-is.social (2026-05-29 11:31:09)
As so often, @evan, this historical quote taken out of its historical context does not completely encapsulate the meaning.
A more complete quotation of Audre Lorde's words:
“For the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house. They may allow us to temporarily beat him at his own game, but they will never enable us to bring about genuine change.”
@majorlinux
Dan Jones@danjones000@microwords.goodevilgenius.org (2026-05-29 12:13:56)
She doesn't say the tools can't dismantle the house, but that they won't.
I think the point is that the master builds. Construction requires mastery, skill, and experience. But any brute can destroy. The master builds, but they don't destroy.
@evan@cosocial.ca @majorlinux@toot.majorshouse.com
Evan Prodromou@evan@cosocial.ca (2026-05-29 12:23:15)
@majorlinux I didn't want to reply to his thread because he was making a good and very different point. It just reminded me of the quote.