--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They have been taught to labor,” the…" description: "\"“They have been taught to labor,” the Chicago Tribune editorialized in 1891. “They have been taught Christian civilization, and to speak the noble Engl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/anonymous-1_english-language_they-have-been-taught-to-labor-the-chica_176083.jpg" --- # They have been taught to labor,” the Chicago Tribune… ![“They have been taught to labor,” the Chicago Tribune editorialized in 1891. “They have been taught Christian civilization, and to speak the noble English language instead of some African gibberish. The account is square with the ex-slaves.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/anonymous-1_english-language_they-have-been-taught-to-labor-the-chica_176083.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/anonymous-1_english-language_they-have-been-taught-to-labor-the-chica_176083.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6c/anonymous-1_english-language_they-have-been-taught-to-labor-the-chica_176083.jpg) > ““They have been taught to labor,” the Chicago Tribune editorialized in 1891. “They have been taught Christian civilization, and to speak the noble English language instead of some African gibberish. The account is square with the ex-slaves.”” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The editorial claims that African American laborers were forced to adopt Christian values and English language, portraying them as inferior to “civilized” norms. **In simple terms:** Forced assimilation of African Americans into Christian and English norms. Key Takeaway Question imposed cultural standards. Themes race labor colonialism assimilation Mood critical somber Type historical political When to use this quote - education reform - civil rights movements - labor rights - media representation Key Concepts cultural imperialism historical oppression Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape power dynamics? - What are the effects of cultural erasure? A Different Perspective The view reflects a biased, racist perspective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [1891 Taught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/1891-taught-1894232/) [English language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/english-language/) [Ex Slaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ex-slaves-1894231/) [Slaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slaves/) [Taught Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taught-christian-441130/) [Taught Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taught-labor-1894230/) ## Related quotes > [“But while the people advocating reparations have changed over time, the response from the country has remained virtually the same. “They have been taught…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/but-while-the-people-advocating-reparations-have-changed-over-time/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [“So we are all black people, so-called Negroes, second-class citizens, ex-slaves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/so-we-are-all-black-people-so-called-negroes-second-class-citizens-ex/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [“The ground for the necessity of Christian schools lies in this very thing, that no fact can be known unless it be known in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-wilson/the-ground-for-the-necessity-of-christian-schools-lies-in-this-very/) [Douglas Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-wilson/) > [“We have been taught that the Christian life is a life of peace, and when we don't have peace, we assume the problem lies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/we-have-been-taught-that-the-christian-life-is-a-life-of-peace-and/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [Let it be understood that those who are not found living as He taught are not Christian- even though they profess with the lips…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-martyr/let-it-be-understood-that-those-who-are-not-found-living-as-he-taught/) [Justin Martyr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-martyr/) > [England are still the only difference in the world was the first British Empire were slaves of the slaves of today's English language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/england-are-still-the-only-difference-in-the-world-was-the-first/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [There are approximately 1,013,913 words in the English language but I could never put together enough to explain how I feel about you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-are-approximately-1-013-913-words-in-the-english-language-but-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The English language has many truly spectacular words, but every once in a while you find someone and the only words you can find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-english-language-has-many-truly-spectacular-words-but-every-once/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [They had nothing in common but the English language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-had-nothing-in-common-but-the-english-language/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Grace has to be the loveliest word in the English language. 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