--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They were usually willing to deploy any…" description: "\"“They were usually willing to deploy any tool—intellectual or otherwise—to suppress slave resistance and ensure returns on their investments. VOLTAIRE,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc9/ibram-x-kendi-3080_investing_they-were-usually-willing-to-deploy-any_801976.jpg" --- # They were usually willing to deploy any tool—intellectual… ![“They were usually willing to deploy any tool—intellectual or otherwise—to suppress slave resistance and ensure returns on their investments. VOLTAIRE,” quote by Ibram X. Kendi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc9/ibram-x-kendi-3080_investing_they-were-usually-willing-to-deploy-any_801976.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc9/ibram-x-kendi-3080_investing_they-were-usually-willing-to-deploy-any_801976.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dc9/ibram-x-kendi-3080_investing_they-were-usually-willing-to-deploy-any_801976.jpg) > ““They were usually willing to deploy any tool—intellectual or otherwise—to suppress slave resistance and ensure returns on their investments. VOLTAIRE,”” [Ibram X. Kendi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibram-x-kendi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Historical oppression used tools to suppress enslaved people for profit. **In simple terms:** Oppression was a profit-driven tool. Key Takeaway Study history to prevent repeat. Themes history oppression economics Mood critical educational Type historical analytical When to use this quote - education - policy making - social activism - museum curation Key Concepts colonialism systemic racism Questions to Reflect On - What other motives fueled oppression? - How can we dismantle these tools? A Different Perspective Complex motives beyond profit exist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Investments Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investments-voltaire-6139103/) [Slave Resistance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave-resistance-6139104/) [Suppress Slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suppress-slave-6139105/) [Usually Willing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usually-willing-1791651/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voltaire/) ## Related quotes > [A fellow with the smallest mind is the one who is usually most willing to give someone a piece of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/croft-m-pentz/a-fellow-with-the-smallest-mind-is-the-one-who-is-usually-most/) [Croft M. 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Kendi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibram-x-kendi/) > [“Donald Trump’s economic policies are geared toward enriching White male power—but at the expense of most of his White male followers, along with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibram-x-kendi/donald-trump-s-economic-policies-are-geared-toward-enriching-white/) [Ibram X. Kendi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibram-x-kendi/) > [“individualizing White negativity and generalizing Black negativity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibram-x-kendi/individualizing-white-negativity-and-generalizing-black-negativity/) [Ibram X. Kendi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibram-x-kendi/) > [“Racially discriminatory policies have usually sprung from economic, political, and cultural self-interests, self-interests that are constantly changing. Politicians seeking higher office have primarily created…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibram-x-kendi/racially-discriminatory-policies-have-usually-sprung-from-economic/) [Ibram X. 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