Alternatives Quote by Patricia Hill Collins
“To maintain their power, dominant groups create and maintain a popular system of 'commonsense' ideas that support their right to rule. In the United States, hegemonic ideologies concerning race, class, gender, sexuality, and nation are often so pervasive that it is difficult to conceptualize alternatives to them, let alone ways of resisting the social practices that they justify.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Black Feminist Thought, Patricia Hill Collins, 1990
Dominant groups shape common sense to legitimize their rule, making alternative views hard to imagine.
In simple terms: Power uses accepted ideas to stay in control.
Key Takeaway
Question and challenge prevailing narratives.
Themes
power
ideology
social justice
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
activist
When to use this quote
- education reform
- media analysis
- community organizing
Key Concepts
critical theory
political science
Questions to Reflect On
- Which "commonsense" ideas do you accept?
- How can you envision alternatives?
A Different Perspective
Challenging deep‑seated beliefs often meets resistance and denial.
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