Destruction Quote by Wade Davis
“Genocide, the physical extinction of a people, is universally condemned, but ethnocide, the destruction of people's way of life, is not only not condemned, it's universally celebrated as part of a development strategy.”
About This Quote
Genocide is the physical destruction of a people, while ethnocide erases cultural identity and is often ignored or even promoted under development rhetoric.
In simple terms: Physical destruction is condemned; cultural erasure is overlooked.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and protect cultural heritage.
Themes
human rights
culture
development
ethics
Mood
concerned
critical
Type
analytical
advocacy
When to use this quote
- policy making
- NGO work
- education
- media reporting
Key Concepts
cultural genocide
development policy
colonialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies value intangible cultural heritage?
- What policies can prevent ethnocide?
A Different Perspective
Cultural erasure can be subtle and hard to measure.
![“No visiting angel, or explorer from another planet, could have guessed that this bland orb [Earth] teemed with vermin, with world-mastering, self-torturing, incipiently angelic beasts.” quote by Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d65/olaf-stapledon-9950_angel_no-visiting-angel-or-explorer-from-anoth_12107.jpg)