Mental disorder Quote by Jon Ronson
““the American physician Samuel Cartwright identifying in 1851 a mental disorder, drapetomania, evident only in slaves. The sole symptom was “the desire to run away from slavery” and the cure was to “whip the devil out of them””
About This Quote
Source Book: So You've Been Publicly Shamed, 2015
A 19th‑century doctor invented a fake disorder to justify punishing slaves who sought freedom.
In simple terms: Drapetomania was a fabricated disease to control slaves.
Key Takeaway
Question historical narratives critically.
Themes
history
racism
medicine
Mood
critical
educational
Type
historical
controversial
When to use this quote
- education curricula
- public policy
- museum exhibits
Key Concepts
pseudoscience
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do societies create false pathologies?
- How can we prevent misuse of medical authority?
A Different Perspective
Such myths can persist without critical scrutiny.
