Colonialism Quote by A.J. Jacobs
““I've even come to a conclusion that would get me blackballed from ever setting foot in liberal education circles again. That is this: colonialism wasn't 100 percent evil. More like 96 percent evil. Sometimes the colonizing culture actually made moral improvements in the native culture. I came to this conclusion while reading about the abolition of the Indian custom of widow burning. In pre-British India, a man's widow was burned alongside his corpse. The British colonialists put a stop to that. So yes, they criminally oppressed an entire people. But like a robber who fills up the ice trays while he steals the TV, they did a smidgeon of good.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Book of List, A.J. Jacobs, 2015
The author argues that colonialism had some positive effects, like ending widow burning, despite its overall oppression.
In simple terms: Colonialism was mostly harmful but sometimes brought reforms.
Key Takeaway
Recognize nuanced histories, not just black‑and‑white judgments.
Themes
history
colonialism
ethics
reform
complexity
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- policy making
- education curricula
- public discourse
- media commentary
Key Concepts
Moral relativism
historical analysis
cultural impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance acknowledging benefits with condemning oppression?
- Can reforms be justified if they arise from harmful regimes?
A Different Perspective
Good actions can be entangled with oppressive systems, making moral judgments difficult.
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