Bad thing Quote by Patsy Mitchner
““Slavery was a bad thing, and freedom, of the kind we got, with nothing to live on, was bad. Two snakes full of poison. One lying with his head pointing north, the other with his head pointing south. Their names was slavery and freedom. The snake called slavery lay with his head pointed south, and the snake called freedom lay with his head pointed north. Both bit the nigger, and they was both bad.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown, 1970s
The speaker equates both slavery and freedom with harmful, poisonous snakes, suggesting neither provides true benefit.
In simple terms: Both slavery and freedom are portrayed as harmful.
Key Takeaway
Question the true value of freedom.
Themes
oppression
freedom
paradox
Mood
critical
somber
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- civil rights discussions
- educational curricula
- personal ethics
Key Concepts
false dichotomy
moral critique
historical trauma
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this metaphor reveal about perceived choices?
- Can true freedom exist without oppression?
A Different Perspective
It simplifies complex social issues into a binary metaphor.
