Cheat Quote by Kurt Vonnegut
“The darkest secret of this country, I am afraid, is that too many of its citizens imagine that they belong to a much higher civilization somewhere else. That higher civilization doesn’t have to be another country. It can be the past instead—the United States as it was before it was spoiled by immigrants and the enfranchisement of the blacks. This state of mind allows too many of us to lie and cheat and steal from the rest of us, to sell us junk and addictive poisons and corrupting entertainments. What are the rest of us, after all, but sub-human aborigines?”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Slaughterhouse-Five, 1969
The quote criticizes nostalgic nationalism that idealizes a mythic past and dehumanizes others, leading to corruption and exploitation.
In simple terms: Idealizing a past and dehumanizing others causes harm.
Key Takeaway
Questionify your view of history and its impact on others.
Themes
nationalism
nostalgia
dehumanization
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
political
social commentary
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- community building
- media analysis
Key Concepts
mythic past
identity
corruption
immigration
racial tension
Questions to Reflect On
- How does nostalgia shape your political choices?
- What responsibilities do we have toward marginalized groups?
A Different Perspective
It ignores systemic factors and can fuel extremist views.
![“Thomas Jefferson High School [..] His high school was named after a slave owner who was also one of the world’s greatest theoreticians on the subject of human liberty.” quote by Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/73a/kurt-vonnegut-41_freedom_thomas-jefferson-high-school-his-high-sc_9727.jpg)
