America Quote by Mary Pipher
“When Europeans arrived on this continent, they blew it with the Native Americans. They plowed over them, taking as much as they could of their land and valuables, and respecting almost nothing about the native cultures. They lost the wisdom of the indigenous peoples-wisdom about the land and connectedness to the great web of life…We have another chance with all these refugees. People come here penniless but not cultureless. They bring us gifts. We can synthesize the best of our traditions with the best of theirs. We can teach and learn from each other to produce a better America…”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Healing Power of Stories, 1995
Colonial conquest destroyed indigenous knowledge, but modern refugees offer a chance to blend cultures for mutual growth.
In simple terms: Colonialism erased native wisdom; refugees can bring new cultural gifts.
Key Takeaway
Embrace and learn from newcomers.
Themes
colonialism
indigenous knowledge
cultural exchange
refugee integration
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
essay
social commentary
When to use this quote
- education reform
- community building
- policy making
- media representation
Key Concepts
environmental stewardship
social cohesion
intercultural dialogue
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies honor indigenous wisdom while integrating new cultures?
- What policies best support mutual learning?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all refugees share beneficial cultures, which may not hold true.
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
