Drug reformers get seduced by politicians who co-opt our language but who make no meaningful change. And when we don't hold politicians accountable, we contribute to harm.
Carl HartRead
Drug reformers need to be hyper-vigilant. I understand that when you've been oppressed so long, so thirsty for truth, that when someone comes along and gives you a sip of water, you think that they're the savior. But in that water there may be cyanide.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Be cautious when accepting change, as it may come with hidden dangers.
Carl Hart's quote emphasizes the importance of being vigilant about the motives behind reforms, especially after prolonged oppression. While the promise of relief and truth is enticing, one must critically assess the situation to avoid being misled by potentially harmful solutions masked as salvation.
Themes
Drug ReformVigilanceTruthChangeOppression
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on policy changes, one might use this quote to caution others about accepting new laws without scrutiny.
More from Carl Hart
All quotes →Too often, ill-informed rhetoric has led to emotional hysteria that obfuscates solid evidence regarding the real problems faced by poor people and, in overwhelmingly great proportions, by black people.
Carl HartRead
You don't have money, you can't do science. But that's part of the price that I pay.
Carl HartRead
Similar quotes
When the Taliban was ruling Afghanistan, women were not allowed to go to school, to work, or even leave the house without a male chaperone. The greatest moment was when that ended.
Sonita AlizadehRead
I hope something happens. I'm restless as the devil and have a horror of getting fat or falling in love and growing domestic.
F. Scott FitzgeraldRead
It is probably true to say that the largest scope for change still lies in men's attitude to women, and in women's attitude to themselves.
Vera BrittainRead
Social progress can be measured by the social position of the female sex.
Karl MarxRead
I recalled how much time i had spent fighting for something i didn't even want. maybe because i had been too lazy to think of other avenues to follow. maybe because i had been afraid of what others would think. maybe because it was hard work to be different. perhaps, because a human being is condemned to repeat the steps taken by the previous generation until a certain number of people begin to behave in a different fashion. then the world changes, and we change with it.
Paulo CoelhoRead
The ideal is a world in which every woman and girl can create the kind of life she wishes to lead, unconstrained by harmful norms and stereotypes.
Paul PolmanRead