Groups Quote by Gloria Steinem
“If you have two groups of people and you say one is inferior to the other, which is a lie, then the only way to maintain the lie is through violence or the threat of violence.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Women’s Rights Rally, 1971
Labeling a group as inferior creates a false narrative that must be enforced by force, revealing the link between prejudice and violence.
In simple terms: Denigrating others leads to violence.
Key Takeaway
Challenge demeaning narratives.
Themes
equality
violence
truth
power
justice
Mood
critical
urgent
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- education reform
- media analysis
- community organizing
Key Concepts
social hierarchy
moral philosophy
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- What are subtle ways power maintains false hierarchies?
- How can societies dismantle these narratives peacefully?
A Different Perspective
Violence can also arise from systemic structures, not just overt threats.
![“[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)
