Possessions Quote by N.K. Jemisin
““And then we will understand that people cannot be possessions. And because we are both and this should not be, a new concept will take shape within us, though we have never heard the word for it because the conductors are forbidden to even mention it in our presence. Revolution.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Broken Earth Trilogy, 2015–2017
People cannot be owned; true freedom requires recognizing others as autonomous beings, sparking a transformative revolution.
In simple terms: People aren’t property; freedom demands respect.
Key Takeaway
Respect autonomy, challenge oppression.
Themes
freedom
human rights
revolution
autonomy
Mood
defiant
hopeful
urgent
Type
political
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- activism
- community building
- policy reform
- education
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
social change
collective identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we recognize hidden ownership in daily life?
- What steps can we take to foster a culture of mutual respect?
A Different Perspective
Change is hard when power structures suppress language and ideas.
![“I resist the urge to claim some of the pretty purple flowers for myself, though Gaewha tries the scissors and then clutches some flowers in her hand, tightly, fiercely. We have never been allowed possessions of our own. [...] Gaewha huddles in a corner with the scissors, ready to defend her…” quote by N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3b7/n-k-jemisin-1466_enslavement_i-resist-the-urge-to-claim-some-of-the-p_1216374.jpg)
![“[...] the kind of healer who knows that sometimes one must inflict terrible agony - rebreak a bone, carve off a limb, kill the weak - in order to make the whole stronger.” quote by N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b79/n-k-jemisin-1466_difficult-decisions_the-kind-of-healer-who-knows-that-someti_50107.jpg)
