Ethnic groups Quote by Simon Schama
““When imperial powers fray at the edges, ethnic groups perceived to be the beneficiaries of their trust suddenly start to look like aliens not natives, however long they may have been settled.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Story of the Jews, 2013
When empires weaken, marginalized groups are suddenly labeled as outsiders, despite long‑term settlement.
In simple terms: Power shifts create new “others.”
Beware of scapegoating.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- immigrant communities
- post‑colonial societies
- nationalist movements
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do power dynamics reshape group perceptions?
- What can prevent labeling long‑settled peoples as aliens?
Historical narratives can oversimplify complex identities.