First step Quote by Jean Kilbourne
“Turning a human being into a thing is almost always the first step towards justifying violence against that person.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Killing Us Softly, 1979 documentary by Jean Kilbourne
Dehumanizing people makes it easier to rationalize harming them.
In simple terms: Seeing people as objects justifies violence.
Treat everyone as a person, not an object.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media analysis
- activism
- education
- law enforcement
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape our perception of others?
- What steps can we take to humanize marginalized groups?
Violence can stem from many causes beyond dehumanization.