9-11 Quote by Arundhati Roy
““To fuel yet another war this time against Iraq by cynically manipulating people's grief, by packaging it for TV specials sponsored by corporations selling detergent and running shoes, is to cheapen and devalue grief, to drain it of meaning. What we are seeing now is a vulgar display of the business of grief, the commerce of grief, the pillaging of even the most private human feelings for political purpose. It is a terrible, violent thing for a State to do to its people.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Business of Grief", 2003, political commentary
Exploiting grief for profit cheapens its meaning and manipulates the public.
In simple terms: Commercializing sorrow devalues it.
Key Takeaway
Guard against commodifying emotions.
Themes
media
politics
ethics
Mood
outraged
critical
Type
political
activist
When to use this quote
- journalism
- activism
- public policy
- civic education
Key Concepts
exploitation
emotional manipulation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does profit motive affect empathy?
- What safeguards protect genuine grief?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue awareness can be raised through media.
