The most difficult idea to reconcile in war is the notion that anything is going to be solved by killing a stranger, or in risking your life for a cause anchored in some distant political arena.
Walter Dean MyersRead
On the streets of the city They have taken my Who-I-Am As well as my What-I-Was And now I am desperate for them both Again
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a deep sense of loss and longing for one's identity and past.
Walter Dean Myers poignantly expresses a feeling of desperation and disconnection from oneβs sense of self due to the circumstances of urban life. The contrast between 'Who-I-Am' and 'What-I-Was' highlights how personal identity can be shaped and sometimes lost in the harsh realities of city living, leading to a yearning for a reconnection with oneβs former self.
Themes
IdentityLossSelfUrbanLonging
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about personal identity during a community meeting.
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