Oppression Quote by Dhoruba Bin Wahad
““The proper criterion for distinguishing "right" from "wrong" is not mysterious.It is embodied in the principles that advance the cause of the oppressed and exploited over the cause of those who live by oppression and exploitation.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Political Activism, Dhoruba Bin Wahad, 1970s
Moral judgment should be based on whether actions help the oppressed rather than on abstract labels of right or wrong.
In simple terms: Judge actions by their impact on the oppressed.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize helping the vulnerable.
Themes
justice
ethics
solidarity
Mood
determined
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- activist organizing
- policy advocacy
- community support
- education campaigns
Key Concepts
power dynamics
oppression
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- Who benefits from a given policy?
- How can we measure true impact on the oppressed?
A Different Perspective
Complex power structures can blur who is truly oppressed.
![“[U]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle the apparatus of oppression.” quote by Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d7b/shulamith-firestone-12980_accomplished_u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together_5485.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
