I traffic in empathy. I try to be vulnerable with people so they can be vulnerable back. I've always been searching for empathy in other people. It's when I feel most not alone.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
Citizenship to me is more than a piece of paper. Citizenship is also about character. I am an American. We're just waiting for our country to recognize it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Citizenship transcends legal status; it is defined by one's character and contributions to society.
In this quote, Jose Antonio Vargas emphasizes that true citizenship is not merely a legal identification or document but is deeply tied to one's character and actions. He expresses a desire for society and the government to recognize the inherent worth and identity of individuals, particularly those who may be marginalized despite their contributions to the nation.
Themes
CitizenshipCharacterRecognitionIdentityAmerican
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for immigration reform, one might say, 'As Jose Antonio Vargas states, citizenship is about character, which we must all uphold.'
More from Jose Antonio Vargas
All quotes βKathy Dewar, my high-school English teacher, introduced me to journalism. From the moment I wrote my first article for the student paper, I convinced myself that having my name in print - writing in English, interviewing Americans - validated my presence here.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
I'm more than willing to go to places and talk to people who believe that I am an illegal alien who deserves to be jailed. I want to look them in the eye and say, 'What makes you think I'm any different from you?' I think for our generation, immigration rights is a civil rights issue.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
I'm a gay, undocumented immigrant; I have to be optimistic.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
There were many factors as to why I decided to come out as being undocumented. One of them is because I look the way that I look; I don't look like the 'stereotypical undocumented' person.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
As a newcomer to America who learned to 'speak American' by watching movies, I firmly believe that to change the politics of immigration and citizenship, we must change culture - the way we portray undocumented people like me and our role in society.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
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I still hear you humming, Mama. The colour of your song calls me home. The colour of your words saying, Let her be. She got a right to be different. She gonna stumble on herself one of these days. Just let the child be. And I be, Mama.
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