Abuse Quote by Jean Kilbourne
“Turning a human being into a thing, an object, is almost always the first step towards justifying violence against that person. It is very difficult, perhaps impossible, to be violent to someone we think of as an equal, someone we have empathy with, but it is very easy to abuse a thing”
About This Quote
Source Documentary: Killing Us Softly, 2010
Dehumanizing people into objects paves the way for violence, because empathy fades when the target is seen as a thing.
In simple terms: Seeing people as objects enables harm.
Key Takeaway
Treat everyone as a person.
Themes
violence
dehumanization
empathy
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
ethical
social
When to use this quote
- advertising
- media representation
- conflict resolution
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
social psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does media shape our view of others?
- What steps can restore empathy?
A Different Perspective
Changing deep‑seated attitudes is difficult.
