Prejudice Quote by Russell Freedman
““I have mo prejudice against the Southern people... They are just what we would ben in their situation. If slavery did not now exits amongst them, they wld not inrtoduce it. If it did now exist amongst us, we should not instantly give it up... I surely will not blame them for not doing what I should not know how to do myself. (p52)””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Story of the Civil War, Russell Freedman, 1990
The speaker argues that prejudice and slavery are products of circumstance, not inherent moral failing, and that people should not be blamed for actions imposed by their environment.
In simple terms: People act according to their circumstances, not personal choice.
Key Takeaway
Consider context before judging.
Themes
prejudice
slavery
responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
historical
ethical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- education
- policy debates
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
social determinism
moral relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do circumstances shape moral decisions?
- Can people be held accountable for actions forced upon them?
A Different Perspective
It overlooks individual agency and the possibility of moral choice despite circumstances.
![“Marco reported that homeless children [in Kublai Kahn's city of Daidu] were cared for and educated. While he says little about the system of education in China, we know from records of the time that Kublai Khan created thousands of public schools to provide a basic education for all children…” quote by Russell Freedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f8c/russell-freedman-22651_children_marco-reported-that-homeless-children-in_1969363.jpg)
