Dehumanize Quote by Lillian Smith
“Segregation is evil; there is no pattern of life which can dehumanize men as can the way of segregation.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Edge of the World” by Lillian Smith, 1945
Segregation dehumanizes people uniquely, making it a profound moral evil that cannot be justified by any natural pattern of life.
In simple terms: Segregation strips humanity.
Key Takeaway
Oppose segregation wherever it appears.
Themes
morality
human rights
social injustice
equality
Mood
urgent
determined
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- civil rights activism
- education
- policy reform
Key Concepts
dehumanization
systemic oppression
ethical evil
Questions to Reflect On
- What are modern forms of dehumanization?
- How can societies prevent new patterns of oppression?
A Different Perspective
Even without segregation, other injustices persist.
![“If integration will get [black man] that [respect as the human being], all right. If segregation will get him that, all right. If separation will get him that, all right.But after he gets integration and he still doesn't have this dignity and this recognition as a human being, then his problem is…” quote by Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/613/malcolm-x-213_black_if-integration-will-get-black-man-that-r_2921547.jpg)
![“It [culture] invites people to diminish themselves, and dehumanize themselves by behaving like machines, meme processors of memes passed down from Madison Avenue, and Hollywood, and what have you.” quote by Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/56b/terence-mckenna-287_avenues_it-culture-invites-people-to-diminish-th_768601.jpg)
