America Quote by Amartya Sen
“To say that certainly America was very lucky to get a large amount of land, and the native Indians were extremely unlucky to have white men coming over here, is one thing. But to say that the whole of the American prosperity was based on exploiting the indigenous population would be a great mistake.”
About This Quote
The speaker acknowledges America’s geographic luck but warns against attributing its wealth solely to the exploitation of indigenous peoples, noting that such a view oversimplifies history.
In simple terms: America’s success isn’t just about exploiting natives.
Key Takeaway
Historical narratives are complex.
Themes
history
colonialism
wealth
indigenous rights
economic development
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
historical analysis
ethical reflection
When to use this quote
- college history lectures
- policy debates on reparations
- museum exhibits on colonization
- media analysis of national myths
Key Concepts
moral relativism
structural analysis
Practical Applications
- include multiple perspectives in curricula
- conduct impact assessments of historical policies
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance acknowledging harm with recognizing other contributors to prosperity?
- What responsibilities arise from historical exploitation?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on exploitation may obscure other factors like innovation, immigration, and institutional development.
![“No matter how thoroughly Native Americans acculturated, they could not succeed in white society. Whites would not let them. "Indians were always regarded as aliens, and were rarely allowed to live within white society except on its periphery," according to [Gary] Nash. Native Americans who amassed…” quote by James W. Loewen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/31e/james-w-loewen-12569_acculturated_no-matter-how-thoroughly-native-american_489063.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
