The next time someone uses denial of citizenship as a weapon or brandishes the special status conferred upon him by the accident of birth, ask him this: What have you done lately to earn it?
Interpretation
The quote challenges individuals to reflect on their contributions to society in relation to their citizenship status.
Eric Liu's quote prompts a critical examination of the concept of citizenship, suggesting that simply being born into a certain status does not automatically warrant respect or privilege. It implores individuals to consider their responsibilities and actions that substantiate their membership in a society, pushing for a broader understanding of what it means to belong and contribute meaningfully to one's community.
In practice
In a discussion on immigration policies, this quote can emphasize the idea of active contribution to society.
An allusion has been made to the Homestead Law. I think it worthy of consideration, and that the wild lands of the country should be distributed so that every man should have the means and opportunity of benefitting his condition.
Oh, am I a feminist? I usually say that I was an accidental feminist. Really, I was just being me.
I think as a whole America is dealing with the issue of homophobia. We got to be really honest about whether we believe in civil rights for all people or not. As Black people we need to remember the moment that we say it's okay to disenfranchise one segment of society, we're opening the door to move backward on ourselves.
Maybe a nation that consumes as much booze and dope as we do and has our kind of divorce statistics should pipe down about "character issues."
For me the present is merged in eternity. I may not sacrifice the latter for the present.
The exile is a singular, whereas refugees tend to be thought of in the mass ... What is implied in these nuances of social standing is the respect we pay to choice. The exile appears to have made a decision, while the refugee is the very image of helplessness.
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