20th century Quote by Steven Pinker
“For one thing, before the 20th century, there were plenty of genocides. We tend to forget about them, partly because they weren't as well documented and partly because, until recently, people didn't care. We used euphemisms like 'sackings' and 'sieges' instead of calling them 'genocides.'”
About This Quote
The quote points out that many historical genocides are overlooked because they lacked documentation or public interest, and euphemisms softened their perception.
In simple terms: Historical atrocities are forgotten when poorly recorded and euphemized.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and name past atrocities accurately.
Themes
history
memory
genocide
language
awareness
Mood
analytical
critical
informative
Type
historical
social
ethical
When to use this quote
- education
- policy making
- media reporting
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
ethics
political science
historical revisionism
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do societies forget certain atrocities?
- How can language be used to confront past crimes?
A Different Perspective
Euphemisms can obscure accountability, making prevention harder.
