Quote by James Baldwin
You know, it's not the world that was my oppressor, because what the world does to you, if the world does it to you long enough and effectively enough, you begin to do to yourself.
Summary
This quote suggests that external circumstances or the world itself are not necessarily the primary source of one's oppression. Instead, it implies that consistent and effective mistreatment from the world can lead individuals to internalize and perpetuate this oppression within themselves. In other words, if one experiences prolonged negativity from the world, they might eventually adopt self-oppressive thoughts and behaviors. The quote emphasizes the powerful impact of external influences on an individual's perception and treatment of themselves.