Causes Quote by Gretel Ehrlich
“There was not one cause for our internment, but many - a deep-seated racial prejudice working on top of fear, distrust, and greed. So how is one to say exactly where history begins or ends? It is all slow oscillations, curves, and waves which take so long to reveal themselves ... like watching a tree grow.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture on Historical Memory, 2015
The quote highlights that internment stemmed from multiple intertwined forces—prejudice, fear, distrust, greed—making it hard to pinpoint a single start or end in history.
In simple terms: Internment caused by many factors, not just one.
Key Takeaway
Recognize complex causes in historical events.
Themes
history
prejudice
fear
greed
complexity
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
analytical
educational
When to use this quote
- educational curricula
- policy making
- community reconciliation
- museum exhibits
Key Concepts
intersectionality
systemic oppression
historical analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern policies reflect similar intertwined motives?
- How can we teach this complexity effectively?
A Different Perspective
Oversimplifies by not naming specific events or policies.
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