--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That “these people” were ourselves, that…" description: "\"“That “these people” were ourselves, that this insistence on mistrust of others—that people who looked so very much like each other, who shared a commo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/902/jamaica-kincaid-1540_history_that-these-people-were-ourselves-that-th_787156.jpg" --- # That “these people” were ourselves, that this insistence… ![“That “these people” were ourselves, that this insistence on mistrust of others—that people who looked so very much like each other, who shared a common history of suffering and humiliation and enslavement, should be taught to mistrust each other, even as children, is no longer a mystery to me.” quote by Jamaica Kincaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/902/jamaica-kincaid-1540_history_that-these-people-were-ourselves-that-th_787156.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/902/jamaica-kincaid-1540_history_that-these-people-were-ourselves-that-th_787156.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/902/jamaica-kincaid-1540_history_that-these-people-were-ourselves-that-th_787156.jpg) > ““That “these people” were ourselves, that this insistence on mistrust of others—that people who looked so very much like each other, who shared a common history of suffering and humiliation and enslavement, should be taught to mistrust each other, even as children, is no longer a mystery to me.”” [Jamaica Kincaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamaica-kincaid/) ## 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 breeds mistrust among oppressed groups, teaching children to distrust each other despite shared suffering. **In simple terms:** Oppression teaches mistrust among those who share it. Key Takeaway Break cycles of inherited mistrust. Themes colonialism identity trauma Mood somber hopeful Type literary reflective When to use this quote - education reform - community dialogue - reconciliation programs - family storytelling Key Concepts intergenerational trauma social division Questions to Reflect On - How can shared history become a bridge, not a barrier? - What role does education play in healing mistrust? A Different Perspective Mistrust can be reinforced by ongoing inequality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) ## Related quotes > [Hate and mistrust are the children of blindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-watson/hate-and-mistrust-are-the-children-of-blindness/) [William Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-watson/) > [But, especially in love, only counterfeit emotions exist nowadays. We have all been taught to mistrust everybody emotionally, from parents downwards, or upwards. Don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-especially-in-love-only-counterfeit-emotions-exist-nowadays-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I mistrust these people in music industry who can be everybody. This is where technology dictates to them. 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