If we believe that a person seeking refuge is to be pitied, feared, despised, and looked down upon, we are doing ourselves a disservice.
Clemantine WamariyaRead
As a child growing up in refugee camps, life taught me that many things were impossible. My older sister, Claire, taught me otherwise when her strength and resilience made the impossible possible in the way she worked, behaved, and took control of our lives.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes how personal experience and the influence of a role model can reshape our understanding of what is possible.
Clemantine Wamariya reflects on her challenging upbringing in refugee camps, where she initially believed many things to be impossible. However, her older sister Claire served as a powerful role model, demonstrating that through strength and resilience, one can overcome difficulties and redefine limitations. This illustrates the significant impact that individuals can have on each other’s perceptions of possibility and hope.
Themes
PossibilityResilienceStrengthHopeInspiration
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire students facing academic challenges to look towards resilient role models.
More from Clemantine Wamariya
All quotes →Similar quotes
When I was a boy, I dreamt that I could fly, he announces. When I woke, I couldn't... or so the maester said. But what if he lied? What do you mean? Perhaps we can fly. All of us. How will we ever know unless we leap from some tall tower? No man ever truly knows what he can do unless he dares to leap. There is the window. Leap. What do you want? The world.
George R. R. MartinRead
I want to show little girls that the possibilities are endless. That's my goal - to not only do it for myself, but to show them I can do whatever I put my mind to.
Nicki MinajRead
If you at least try to do the things that excite you, it will make you a more expansive and present person - you’ll feel, at the end of your life, that at least you took the shot.
George SaundersRead
When I was growing up, there were very few women athletes. I remember watching Olga Corbett, but Peggy Fleming and Janet Lynn were my role models. I never dreamt that I could be at that level. I remember thinking they seemed so elegant and regal and powerful and feminine.
Dorothy HamillRead
I think there's a moral imperative when you're writing fictional heroes to give characters who somehow give us something to aspire to as opposed to dragging them down to our level.
Mark WaidRead
Racism and injustice and violence sweep our world, bringing a tragic harvest of heartache and death.
Billy GrahamRead