Fads Quote by Adrienne Rich
“We have seen over and over that white male historians in general have tended to dismiss any history they didn't themselves write,on the grounds that it is unserious, unscholarly, a fad, too "political," "merely" oral and thus unreliable.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Will to Change, Adrienne Rich, 1978
White male historians often dismiss non‑written histories as unserious or political, marginalizing oral and minority narratives.
In simple terms: Historians reject histories they didn't write, labeling them unreliable.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and value diverse historical sources.
Themes
bias
history
marginalization
authority
oral tradition
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
advocacy
When to use this quote
- academic curricula
- museum exhibits
- community archives
- public policy debates
- educational reforms
Key Concepts
epistemology
power dynamics
cultural hegemony
Questions to Reflect On
- How can academia broaden criteria for credible sources?
- What impact does excluding oral histories have on cultural memory?
A Different Perspective
Dismissal can stem from entrenched institutional biases, limiting broader understanding.
