Nonentities Quote by Malorie Blackman
““Noughts... Even the word was negative. Nothing. Nil. Zero. Nonentities. It wasn't a name we'd chosen for ourselves. It was a name we'd been given.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Noughts & Crosses, 2012
A name given to a group carries negative weight, reflecting imposed identity and marginalization.
In simple terms: Names can impose negative identity.
Key Takeaway
Question imposed labels and their impact.
Themes
identity
language
power dynamics
Mood
thoughtful
empathetic
Type
social
psychological
When to use this quote
- education
- activism
- community building
Key Concepts
social labeling
oppression
self‑definition
Questions to Reflect On
- What names have been imposed on you?
- How can you reclaim a negative label?
A Different Perspective
Labels can be internalized and limit self‑perception.
![“If we refuse our homage to statues and frigid images, the very counterpart of their dead originals, with which hawks, and mice, and spiders are so well acquainted, does it not merit praise instead of penalty [Christians were punished for not worshiping Roman gods] that we have rejected what we…” quote by Tertullian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/197/tertullian-3469_certain_if-we-refuse-our-homage-to-statues-and-f_1722066.jpg)