There is no room for two distinct races of white men in America, much less for two distinct races of whites and blacks. I can conceive of no greater calamity than the assimilation of the Negro into our social and political life as an equal... Within twenty years we can peacefully colonize the Negro in the tropics and give him our language, literature, religion, and system of government under conditions in which he can rise to the full measure of manhood. This he can never do here. We can never attain the ideal Union our fathers dreamed, with millions of an alien, inferior race among us, whose assimilation is neither possible nor desirable.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author argues against racial equality and assimilation, favoring colonization instead.
- In plain terms
- The speaker believes black people and white people cannot coexist as equals in America.
- What can you take from it?
- Racial segregationism advocated as necessary for union.
Where it applies
Questions to consider
- How do we address harmful historical views?
- What is the impact of such policies?
Another view
This view is widely condemned as racist and morally wrong.
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