Prejudice Quote by CLR James
““The prejudice of race is superficially the most irrational of all prejudices, and by a perfectly comprehensible reaction the Paris workers, from indifference in 1789, had come by this time to detest no section of the aristocracy so much as those whom they called "the aristocrats of the skin.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Black Jacobins by C.L.R. James, 1938
Racial prejudice is seen as the most irrational bias, yet it can arise from understandable social reactions, as shown by Paris workers' hatred of aristocratic elites based on skin color.
In simple terms: Racial bias is irrational but can stem from social reactions.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge irrational biases.
Themes
prejudice
racism
social dynamics
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- labor movements
- political revolutions
- social justice activism
Key Concepts
class struggle
identity politics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do social conditions shape our biases?
- Can empathy reduce such irrational hatred?
A Different Perspective
Even rational reactions can reinforce irrational prejudices.
