Chosen Quote by Nadine Gordimer
“Well, you know, in the fundamentalist milieu of the Afrikaners, there was a sense that they were a chosen people, that they were bringing civilization to the blacks.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: July's People by Nadine Gordimer, 1981
In apartheid South Africa, Afrikaners saw themselves as a chosen civilization‑bringing race, justifying oppression.
In simple terms: Afrikaners believed they were destined to civilize others.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how narratives of superiority can mask injustice.
Themes
colonialism
racism
identity
power
civilization
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- colonial policy
- education reform
- social activism
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
white supremacy
chosen people myth
civilizing mission
Questions to Reflect On
- How do narratives of chosenness influence policy?
- What alternative stories can empower marginalized groups?
A Different Perspective
Such beliefs ignore the agency and humanity of the oppressed.
![“[In science any model depends on a pre-chosen taxonomy] a set of classifications into which we divide the enormous complexity of the real world... Land, labor, and capital are extremely heterogeneous aggregates, not much better than earth, air, fire, and water.” quote by Kenneth E. Boulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/47e/kenneth-e-boulding-3728_air_in-science-any-model-depends-on-a-pre-ch_12383.jpg)
