Democracy Quote by Emma Goldman
“... woman does not see what people of intellect perceived fifty years ago: that suffrage is an evil, that it has only helped to enslave people, that it has but closed their eyes that they may not see how craftily they were made to submit.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Anarchist Lecture, 1910s, USA
Emma argues that suffrage was historically used to control and oppress, rather than liberate, women.
In simple terms: Suffrage was a tool of oppression.
Key Takeaway
Question the true impact of voting rights.
Themes
politics
gender
power
history
oppression
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- activism
- education
- policy reform
- women's rights
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
feminism
social control
liberation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we assess the net effect of suffrage?
- What other mechanisms of control exist today?
A Different Perspective
It overlooks the empowerment many women gained through voting.
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