Anger Quote by Jamaica Kincaid
““Do you know why people like me are shy about being capitalists? Well, its because we, for as long as we have known you, were capital, like bales of cotton and sacks of sugar, and you were commanding, cruel capitalists, and the memory of this so strong, the experience so recent, that we can't quite bring ourselves to embrace this idea that you think so much of. As for hat we were like before we met you, I no longer care. No periods of time over which my ancestors held sway, no documentation of complex civilisations, is any comfort to me. Even if I really came from people who were living like monkeys in trees, it was better to be that than what happened to me, what I became after I met you.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Capitalism and Identity,” 1993
The speaker feels alienated from capitalism, seeing it as oppressive and at odds with ancestral heritage, leading to a rejection of its values.
In simple terms: Reject capitalism due to its oppressive history.
Key Takeaway
Question personal and societal values.
Themes
identity
economics
history
Mood
critical
provocative
Type
sociopolitical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political activism
- personal reflection
- education
Key Concepts
postcolonial critique
social alienation
cultural memory
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal history shape economic views?
- Can we reconcile heritage with modern capitalism?
A Different Perspective
May generalize complex economic systems.
