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.
More from Walter Dean Myers
All quotes βI remember one time being told I could not play in a basketball game at the College of William and Mary because I was black, even though I was playing with a United States Army team.
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As a writer, I absorb stories, allow them to churn within my own head and heart - often for years - until I find a way of telling them that fits both my time and temperament.
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We need to tell young people that America was built by men and women of all colors and that the future of this country is dependent on the participation of all of our citizens.
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Yeah, that's funny, huh?...Something hurts you real bad and you get used to it. Like being hurt becomes part of who you are.
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Books transmit values. They explore our common humanity. What is the message when some children are not represented in those books?
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