Father Quote by Alex Haley
“A word, for example, that is negative, pejorative, and has caused more pain and suffering is 'illegitimate.' But every person has a mother and father. It is another way we let society hurt others.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Roots, 1976
Critiquing the word “illegitimate” as a painful label, emphasizing that everyone shares parentage and that language can harm.
In simple terms: Word “illegitimate” causes pain.
Key Takeaway
Use language that unites, not divides.
Themes
language
social harm
equality
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
social
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education
- policy making
- community dialogue
Key Concepts
terminology
social justice
family
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape perception?
- What alternatives promote inclusion?
A Different Perspective
Changing language alone may not fix deeper biases.
