--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: \"Marginalized others\" have access to…" description: "\"\"Marginalized others\" have access to other ways of knowing, and therefore to deeper, more authentic truths about human reality. They can share that kno..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93e/christina-hoff-sommers-18174_able_marginalized-others-have-access-to-other_1318409.jpg" --- # "Marginalized others" have access to other ways of… ![“"Marginalized others" have access to other ways of knowing, and therefore to deeper, more authentic truths about human reality. They can share that knowledge by speaking about their lived experience while in a safe space. But to provide this kind of safety, members of privileged groups, i.e…” quote by Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93e/christina-hoff-sommers-18174_able_marginalized-others-have-access-to-other_1318409.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93e/christina-hoff-sommers-18174_able_marginalized-others-have-access-to-other_1318409.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/93e/christina-hoff-sommers-18174_able_marginalized-others-have-access-to-other_1318409.jpg) > “"Marginalized others" have access to other ways of knowing, and therefore to deeper, more authentic truths about human reality. They can share that knowledge by speaking about their lived experience while in a safe space. But to provide this kind of safety, members of privileged groups, i.e. white, able-bodied, cis-gendered middle class men, must keep quiet.” [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Marginalized groups hold unique insights; privileged groups must create safe spaces by stepping back. **In simple terms:** Quieting privilege lets authentic truths emerge. Key Takeaway Listen and amplify unheard perspectives. Themes inclusion truth social justice Mood reflective hopeful Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - community workshops - academic panels - media representation - policy discussions Key Concepts epistemic diversity power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What steps can allies take to foster safety? - How does silence affect systemic change? A Different Perspective Silencing privileged voices can reduce dialogue and allyship. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Access](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/access/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Middle class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-class/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Safe space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safe-space/) [Safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safety/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [“Privileged groups work for greater power consolidation through favoritism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/privileged-groups-work-for-greater-power-consolidation-through/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr-2/privileged-groups-seldom-give-up-their-privileges-voluntarily/) [Martin Luther King Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr-2/) > [It is among the less privileged groups relatively new to leisure and consumption that the zest for possessions retains something of its pristine energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-riesman/it-is-among-the-less-privileged-groups-relatively-new-to-leisure-and/) [David Riesman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-riesman/) > [History is the long and tragic story of the fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/history-is-the-long-and-tragic-story-of-the-fact-that-privileged/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Generally speaking, the less privileged groups in democratic society, as they become aware of their interests and their political power, will be found to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-myrdal/generally-speaking-the-less-privileged-groups-in-democratic-society/) [Gunnar Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-myrdal/) > [Since inequalities of privilege are greater than could possibly be defended rationally, the intelligence of privileged groups is usually applied to the task of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-niebuhr/since-inequalities-of-privilege-are-greater-than-could-possibly-be/) [Reinhold Niebuhr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-niebuhr/) > [For me, true and authentic democracy occurs when the privileged groups assist the unprivileged groups to become more privileged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-phane-hessel/for-me-true-and-authentic-democracy-occurs-when-the-privileged-groups/) [Stephane Hessel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-phane-hessel/) > [The serious work for feminism in the 21st century is across the globe. Instead of retreating into "safe spaces" and focusing on their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/the-serious-work-for-feminism-in-the-21st-century-is-across-the-globe/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [Trigger warnings and safe spaces are an infantilizing setback for feminism - and for women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/trigger-warnings-and-safe-spaces-are-an-infantilizing-setback-for/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [Young women at our elite colleges are among the safest, most privileged and most empowered of any group on the planet. Yet, from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/young-women-at-our-elite-colleges-are-among-the-safest-most/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [“My friends, I must say to you that we have not made a single gain in civil rights without determined legal and nonviolent pressure.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr-2/my-friends-i-must-say-to-you-that-we-have-not-made-a-single-gain-in-2/) [Martin Luther King Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr-2/) > [“Lamentably, it is a historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily. Individuals may see the moral light and voluntarily give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr-2/lamentably-it-is-a-historical-fact-that-privileged-groups-seldom-give/) [Martin Luther King Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr-2/) > [Privileged groups, like everyone else, want to think well of themselves and to believe that they are acting generously and justly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-russ/privileged-groups-like-everyone-else-want-to-think-well-of-themselves/) [Joanna Russ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-russ/) > [“Naming oppressive realities, in and of itself, has not brought about the kinds of changes for oppressed groups that it can for more privileged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/naming-oppressive-realities-in-and-of-itself-has-not-brought-about/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [One of the most incredible and important things about the theater is that we're creating a safe space for all feelings, but especially, ugly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branden-jacobs-jenkins/one-of-the-most-incredible-and-important-things-about-the-theater-is/) [Branden Jacobs-Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branden-jacobs-jenkins/) ## More by Christina Hoff Sommers > [Any child may go through periods during which they become less outspoken with their parents or teachers. But girls, like boys, live in many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/any-child-may-go-through-periods-during-which-they-become-less/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [In reality, American girls are among the most outspoken, ambitious, successful girls in the history of the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/in-reality-american-girls-are-among-the-most-outspoken-ambitious/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [I think the fallacy is to think that Women's Liberation meant that men and women would become interchangeable. That has not happened, and most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/i-think-the-fallacy-is-to-think-that-women-s-liberation-meant-that/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [I think the rules will change and I think more and more young women are going to decide that having a family and taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/i-think-the-rules-will-change-and-i-think-more-and-more-young-women/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [There is a theory behind the culture of victimhood: It's called "intersectionality." This theory posits that racism, sexism, classism, ableism, etc. are interconnected, overlapping,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/there-is-a-theory-behind-the-culture-of-victimhood-it-s-called/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [Harvard produces leaders. People with Harvard degrees go on to become administrators in high-level positions in state educational departments and in public schools around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/harvard-produces-leaders-people-with-harvard-degrees-go-on-to-become/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [I'm concerned that boys have become politically incorrect, that we are a society in the process of turning against its male children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/i-m-concerned-that-boys-have-become-politically-incorrect-that-we-are/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [I don't think anyone will deny that girls are academically superior as a group.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/i-don-t-think-anyone-will-deny-that-girls-are-academically-superior/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [Girls are more academically powerful. They make the grades, they run the student activities, they are the valedictorians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/girls-are-more-academically-powerful-they-make-the-grades-they-run/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [ “I call \[fourth-wave feminism\] fainting–couch feminism, a la the delicate Victorian ladies who retreated to an elegant chaise when overcome with emotion. As an… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/i-call-fourth-wave-feminism-fainting-couch-feminism-a-la-the-delicate/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [We reject creationism because there is no evidence to support it. By contrast, the notion that biology is at least partially the basis of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/we-reject-creationism-because-there-is-no-evidence-to-support-it-by/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [So far there has been little discussion among gender scholars about the need to engage with skeptics. They tend to view skeptics and dissenters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/so-far-there-has-been-little-discussion-among-gender-scholars-about/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [“Truth brought to public light recruits the best of us to work for change. On the other hand, even the best-intentioned "noble lie" ultimately…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/truth-brought-to-public-light-recruits-the-best-of-us-to-work-for/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [We must have moral education in the schools, anti-bullying programs, but this does not mean programs to feminize boys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/we-must-have-moral-education-in-the-schools-anti-bullying-programs/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) > [There is too much ideological conformity in gender studies. The true-believers fashion the theories, write the textbooks and teach the students. When journalists, policymakers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hoff-sommers/there-is-too-much-ideological-conformity-in-gender-studies-the-true/) [Christina Hoff Sommers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) [Explore all 35 Christina Hoff Sommers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hoff-sommers/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. 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I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. 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