“We Americans are not usually thought to be a submissive people, but of course we are. Why else would we allow our country to be destroyed? Why else would we be rewarding its destroyers? Why else would we all — by proxies we have given to greedy corporations and corrupt politicians — be participating in its destruction? Most of us are still too sane to piss in our own cistern, but we allow others to do so and we reward them for it. We reward them so well, in fact, that those who piss in our cistern are wealthier than the rest of us.How do we submit? By not being radical enough. Or by not being thorough enough, which is the same thing.”
Wendell Berry on American Submission
Wendell Berry, in this powerful quote, criticizes how Americans are complicit in the destruction of their own country by allowing greedy corporations and corrupt politicians to wreak havoc. He argues that by not being radical or thorough enough in preventing this destruction, Americans are essentially submitting to those who are benefitting from it.
Quote Analysis
In this powerful quote by Wendell Berry, he highlights the passive submission of Americans in the face of their country's destruction. He points out that despite being perceived as a non-submissive people, Americans are allowing greedy corporations and corrupt politicians to lead the nation towards ruin. Berry suggests that this submission comes from a lack of radical action or thorough opposition to those responsible for the destruction. This quote serves as a call to action for individuals to take a stand and fight against the forces contributing to the downfall of their country.
The Need for Radical Action in Modern Society
In this quote by Wendell Berry, he highlights the issue of complacency and submission in allowing destructive forces to prevail in society. Today, with growing concerns such as climate change, income inequality, and political corruption, Berry's words serve as a reminder of the importance of taking radical and thorough action to address these pressing issues. It challenges us to reflect on our role in allowing such destruction to occur and the need for proactive and meaningful change.
Reflection Questions:
Reflecting on Wendell Berry's quote about American submission and complicity in the destruction of the country, consider the following questions:
- In what ways do you see Americans submitting to destructive systems, whether through passive acceptance or active participation?
- How have corporate greed and political corruption influenced the destruction of the country, and what role do individuals play in perpetuating these issues?
- Do you believe that most Americans are complacent in the face of societal and environmental destruction, and if so, what factors contribute to this complacency?
- What does it mean to be "radical enough" or "thorough enough" in addressing and combating the destruction of the country, and what actions can individuals take to move towards this radicalism or thoroughness?
Similar quotes
“Why do we allow people to abuse their children? Why don't we defend the sick and the weak? Why do we let soldiers round up our neighbors and make them wear a star on their clothing and cram them into boxcars? It isn't God who's evil-it's us.”
“We are so well trained that we are our own domesticator. We are an autodomesticated animal. We can now domesticate ourselves according to the same belief system we were given, and using the same system of punishment and reward. We punish ourselves when we don't follow the rules according to our belief system; we reward ourselves when we are the "good boy" or "good girl".”
“Why don't people ask us about our hope? The answer is probably that we look as if we hope in the same things they do. Our lives don't look like they are on the Calvary road, stripped down for sacrificial love, serving others with the sweet assurance that we don't need to be rewarded in this life.”
“Why would you train an instrument of destruction? (Jericho)We all choose our destinies. Our birth doesn’t dictate our future unless we allow it. (Acheron)”
“Why is choice powerful, and where does its power come from? Do we all choose in the same way? What is the relationship between how we choose and who we are? Why are we so often disappointed by our choices, and how do we make the most effective use of the tool of choice?How much control do we have over our everyday choices? How do we choose when our options are practically unlimited? Should we ever let others choose for us, and if yes, who and why?”