Servants Quote by Isabel Wilkerson
““If these Negroes become doctors and merchants or buy their own farms,” a southern woman told the celebrated journalist Ray Stannard Baker, “what shall we do for servants?””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Warmth of Other Suns, 2010
She quotes a Southern woman's fear that educated Black people would disrupt the servant hierarchy, exposing racial anxieties.
In simple terms: Fear of Black advancement threatens social order.
Key Takeaway
Address underlying racial fears in progress discussions.
Themes
race
economics
history
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- civil rights activism
- community building
- policy reform
Key Concepts
social hierarchy
education
Questions to Reflect On
- How do past fears shape present policies?
- What steps can reduce racial prejudice?
A Different Perspective
The quote reflects historical racism that still influences attitudes.
