Dehumanization Quote by Selma Dabbagh
![“Soldier on guard says they've identified “someone on two legs a hundred metres from the outpost”. The other soldier, in the lookout, says “A girl about ten,” but by then they're already shooting. Girl's dead[...]The point is this use of code, on two legs, denoting human. It reminded me of that…” quote by Selma Dabbagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c27/selma-dabbagh-56838_dehumanization_soldier-on-guard-says-they-ve-identified_293512.jpg)
““Soldier on guard says they've identified “someone on two legs a hundred metres from the outpost”. The other soldier, in the lookout, says “A girl about ten,” but by then they're already shooting. Girl's dead[...]The point is this use of code, on two legs, denoting human. It reminded me of that speech by their Prime Minister saying that we were beasts walking on two legs [...]The idea that having legs makes you human. I thought of adding a Primo Levi-ish dimension to it. Merging this two-legged idea with a sort of general question about what is a man, you know, linking it to “if this is a man who labours in the mud/ who knows no peace/ who fights for a crust of bread?” [...] my thesis being that the occupation, the closures, the siege have made amputees of all of us, crawling around in the mud. Legless in Gaza. The lot of us.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Selma Dabbagh on her thesis, 2022
The passage critiques how language dehumanizes victims, equating legs with humanity, and reflects on war’s dehumanizing effects, especially in Gaza.
In simple terms: Legs are used as a symbol of humanity, but war strips that identity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize humanity beyond physical traits.
Themes
war
dehumanization
identity
politics
Mood
somber
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- humanitarian aid
- peace negotiations
- education on bias
Key Concepts
human rights
symbolism
conflict studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language shape our view of the enemy?
- What symbols can restore dignity?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify complex identities.
![“[Christian rebellion] arises from the doctrine of mankind made in the image of God, and therefore protests against all forms of dehumanization. It sets itself against the social injustices which insult God the Creator, seeks to protect human beings from oppression and longs to liberate them… it…” quote by John Stott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/328/john-stott-1926_arise_christian-rebellion-arises-from-the-doct_31161.jpg)
