Accepting Quote by Edgar Friedenberg
“Not only do most people accept violence if it is perpetuated by legitimate authority, they also regard violence against certain kinds of people as inherently legitimate, no matter who commits it.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown, 20th century political commentary
People accept violence from authority and also see violence against certain groups as always justified, regardless of the perpetrator.
In simple terms: Authority makes violence seem okay; some groups are seen as always legitimate targets.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and protect vulnerable groups.
Themes
authority
violence
justice
social perception
Mood
critical
concerned
reflective
Type
ethical
political
social
When to use this quote
- political protest
- law enforcement
- civil rights activism
- media reporting
- education curricula
Key Concepts
legitimacy
power dynamics
in-group/out-group bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How does authority shape our view of violence?
- What groups are unfairly targeted?
A Different Perspective
Violence can be rationalized even when unjust, making change difficult.
![“The atmosphere [in the school lunchroom] is not quite that of a prison, because the students are permitted to talk quietly, under the frowning scrutiny of teachers standing around on duty, during their meal-they are not supposed to talk while standing in line, though this rule is only sporadically…” quote by Edgar Friedenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cc7/edgar-friedenberg-25150_atmosphere_the-atmosphere-in-the-school-lunchroom-i_989560.jpg)
