--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Abortion and racism are both symptoms of…" description: "\"Abortion and racism are both symptoms of a fundamental human error. The error is thinking that when someone stands in the way of our wants, we can just..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8f/alveda-king-7996_abortion_abortion-and-racism-are-both-symptoms-of_2057221.jpg" --- # Abortion and racism are both symptoms of a fundamental… ![“Abortion and racism are both symptoms of a fundamental human error. The error is thinking that when someone stands in the way of our wants, we can justify getting that person out of our lives. Abortion and racism stem from the same poisonous root, selfishness.” quote by Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8f/alveda-king-7996_abortion_abortion-and-racism-are-both-symptoms-of_2057221.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8f/alveda-king-7996_abortion_abortion-and-racism-are-both-symptoms-of_2057221.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8f/alveda-king-7996_abortion_abortion-and-racism-are-both-symptoms-of_2057221.jpg) > “Abortion and racism are both symptoms of a fundamental human error. The error is thinking that when someone stands in the way of our wants, we can justify getting that person out of our lives. Abortion and racism stem from the same poisonous root, selfishness.” [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human error lies in selfish justification that removes perceived obstacles, linking abortion and racism as manifestations of self‑centered thinking. **In simple terms:** Selfishness causes both abortion opposition and racism. Key Takeaway Recognize and curb selfish motives. Themes ethics human rights social justice Mood reflective critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - political debate - activism - education - policy making Key Concepts selfishness justification dehumanization Questions to Reflect On - How does selfishness influence moral judgments? - Can empathy replace justification? A Different Perspective Selfishness may be overstated as the sole cause. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abortion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/) [Abortion Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion-racism-2313191/) [Errors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/errors/) [Fundamentals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundamentals/) [Human error](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-error/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Justify](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justify/) [Lives Abortion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lives-abortion-3906969/) [Our lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-lives/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Poisonous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poisonous/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Racism Stem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism-stem-3906968/) [Racism Symptoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism-symptoms-2313192/) [Roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roots/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Stem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stem/) [Symptoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symptoms/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [Abortion and racism are both symptoms of a fundamental human error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/abortion-and-racism-are-both-symptoms-of-a-fundamental-human-error-2/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [Abortion and racism stem from the same poisonous root, selfishness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/abortion-and-racism-stem-from-the-same-poisonous-root-selfishness/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Abortion and racism are evil twins, born of the same lie. Where racism now hides its face in public, abortion is accomplishing the goals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/abortion-and-racism-are-evil-twins-born-of-the-same-lie-where-racism/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [“I am talking about self absorbtion. If you think about it, the human race is pretty self absorbed. Racism might be the symptoms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/i-am-talking-about-self-absorbtion-if-you-think-about-it-the-human/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [Very much like a disease, we have to tackle the cause of racism, not the symptoms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/very-much-like-a-disease-we-have-to-tackle-the-cause-of-racism-not/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [Probability of human error is considerably higher than that of machine error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-appel/probability-of-human-error-is-considerably-higher-than-that-of/) [Kenneth Appel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-appel/) > [With both people and computers on the job, computer error can be more quickly tracked down and corrected by people and, conversely, human error…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/with-both-people-and-computers-on-the-job-computer-error-can-be-more/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [A constant human error: to believe in an end to one's fantasies. Our daydreams are the measure of our unreachable truth. The secret of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floriano-martins/a-constant-human-error-to-believe-in-an-end-to-one-s-fantasies-our/) [Floriano Martins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floriano-martins/) > [One of the most dangerous forms of human error is forgetting what one is trying to achieve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-nitze/one-of-the-most-dangerous-forms-of-human-error-is-forgetting-what-one/) [Paul Nitze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-nitze/) > [“human error usually is a result of poor design: it should be called system error. Humans err continually; it is an intrinsic part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/human-error-usually-is-a-result-of-poor-design-it-should-be-called/) [Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/) > [The history of human opinion is scarcely anything, more than the history of human errors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/the-history-of-human-opinion-is-scarcely-anything-more-than-the/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [We are not perfect, we have flaws, we have regrets and we make mistakes, these characteristics do not make us worthless, they make us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-rowe/we-are-not-perfect-we-have-flaws-we-have-regrets-and-we-make-mistakes/) [Rashida Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-rowe/) > [We must accept human error as inevitable - and design around that fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-berwick/we-must-accept-human-error-as-inevitable-and-design-around-that-fact/) [Donald Berwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-berwick/) > [“The flawed human error is expecting someone else to build the world we desire, rather than creating it for ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-stern/the-flawed-human-error-is-expecting-someone-else-to-build-the-world/) [Shawn Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-stern/) > [A guitar being played by an actual person is never going to be as precise and perfect as a programmed synthesizer. But we maintain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-bellamy/a-guitar-being-played-by-an-actual-person-is-never-going-to-be-as/) [Matt Bellamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-bellamy/) ## More by Alveda King > [Reconciliation means - in victory, I win and you're wrong, and then you lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/reconciliation-means-in-victory-i-win-and-you-re-wrong-and-then-you/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [Racism springs from the lie that certain human beings are less than fully human. It's a self-centered falsehood that corrupts our minds into believing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/racism-springs-from-the-lie-that-certain-human-beings-are-less-than/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [While I voted for Mr. Trump, my confidence remains in God for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/while-i-voted-for-mr-trump-my-confidence-remains-in-god-for-life/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/observe-with-both-friend-and-foe-the-ordinary-rules-of-courtesy/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [If the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is to live, our babies must live. Our mothers must choose life. If we refuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/if-the-dream-of-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-is-to-live-our-babies-must/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [Every baby saved, every mother helped to choose life is a step in the right direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/every-baby-saved-every-mother-helped-to-choose-life-is-a-step-in-the/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [Let's be honest about this; the liberal agenda with failed stimulus plans and government entitlement programs is crippling our economy and our quality of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/let-s-be-honest-about-this-the-liberal-agenda-with-failed-stimulus/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [Coming forth, you've got to love each other and you have to have faith. And you never lose hope. Even when things are really,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/coming-forth-you-ve-got-to-love-each-other-and-you-have-to-have-faith/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [As a survivor of the 20th-century Race Wars, my back remains unbent, and I move forward for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/as-a-survivor-of-the-20th-century-race-wars-my-back-remains-unbent/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [African-Americans who might have disagreed with candidate Obama's left-of-center politics voted for him in 2008 because electing a candidate with brown skin was too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/african-americans-who-might-have-disagreed-with-candidate-obama-s/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [This is the 21st century, and we would all like to think racism is dead in America. Actually, that's not the case: still there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/this-is-the-21st-century-and-we-would-all-like-to-think-racism-is/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [I did have some secret abortions myself, which I repented from when I was born again in 1983. I drank the abortion Kool-Aid temporarily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/i-did-have-some-secret-abortions-myself-which-i-repented-from-when-i/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue or heart. And heart is real important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/refrain-from-the-violence-of-fist-tongue-or-heart-and-heart-is-real/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [While writing, saying, and doing much, Mr. Trump is apologizing for his past sins. He's walking away from supporting abortion, hurling insults and more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/while-writing-saying-and-doing-much-mr-trump-is-apologizing-for-his/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [The non-violent movement seeks justice and reconciliation, not victory - or not just victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/the-non-violent-movement-seeks-justice-and-reconciliation-not-victory/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) [Explore all 85 Alveda King quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) ## More Abortion quotes > [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/) [Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/) > [Hey everyone, in case y'all didn't hear, I'm pregnat, and after discussing it w/ my family, I've decided to get an abortion, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-badesheim/hey-everyone-in-case-y-all-didn-t-hear-i-m-pregnat-and-after/) [Madison Badesheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-badesheim/) > [There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. Just like it was no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ruffalo/there-was-no-mistake-in-us-making-abortion-legal-and-available-on/) [Mark Ruffalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ruffalo/) > [My favorite Founding Fathers, Christians like John Adams, were absolutely appalled by slavery, and did not own slaves. I think we're going to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/my-favorite-founding-fathers-christians-like-john-adams-were/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [“David Bereit, Founder of Forty Days for Life, points out that any abortion clinic in America should have a sign in its window that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-price/david-bereit-founder-of-forty-days-for-life-points-out-that-any/) [John Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-price/) > [The Chinese describe themselves as political refugees. Many base that claim on China's strict population laws, which allow them to have only one child.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-chinese-describe-themselves-as-political-refugees-many-base-that/) [Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/) > [I'm a pro-life candidate because I believe that science is proving us right every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-m-a-pro-life-candidate-because-i-believe-that-science-is-proving-us/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion…has been born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-noticed-that-everyone-who-is-for-abortion-has-been-born/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [We talk a lot about how abortion is a medical procedure, but actually if you look at what the other side is doing, they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-northup/we-talk-a-lot-about-how-abortion-is-a-medical-procedure-but-actually/) [Nancy Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-northup/) > [“The Vatican won't prosecute pedophile priests but I decide I'm not ready for motherhood and it's condemnation for me? These are the same people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-renee-taylor/the-vatican-won-t-prosecute-pedophile-priests-but-i-decide-i-m-not/) [Sonya Renee Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-renee-taylor/) > [Pro-lifers have long been castigated for bringing private values into the public square. But actually it is the pro-abortion position that is based on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pearcey/pro-lifers-have-long-been-castigated-for-bringing-private-values-into/) [Nancy Pearcey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pearcey/) > [I am 100 percent pro-life and have been my whole life. 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Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-w-lynn/) [Browse all 1,629 Abortion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abortion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Abortion and racism are both symptoms of a fundamental human error. The error is thinking that when someone stands in the way of our wants, we can justify getting that person out of our lives. 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