Everybody who went to Vietnam carries his or her own version of the war. Only 10 percent engaged in combat; the American elephant, pursuing the Vietnamese grasshopper, was extraordinarily heavy with logistical support.
Pete HamillRead
Too many people take New York for granted. The primary reason is that history is not taught. That's outrageous in a city where the past is still visible.
Interpretation
People often overlook the historical significance of New York City due to a lack of historical education.
In this quote, Pete Hamill emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the rich history that shapes the identity of New York City. He argues that the cityβs past, which remains evident in its architecture, culture, and traditions, deserves attention and understanding, and that neglecting to teach this history leads to a diminished appreciation for the city itself.
In practice
During a lecture on urban history, this quote can be used to highlight the significance of educating people about the history of major cities.
Everybody who went to Vietnam carries his or her own version of the war. Only 10 percent engaged in combat; the American elephant, pursuing the Vietnamese grasshopper, was extraordinarily heavy with logistical support.
Just like that. Gone forever. They will not grow old together. They will never live on a beach by the sea, their hair turned white, dancing in a living room to Billie Holiday or Nat Cole. They will not enter a New York club at midnight and show the poor hip-hop fools how to dance. They will not chuckle together over the endless folly of the world, its vanities and stupid ambitions. They will not hug each other in any chilly New York dawn. Oh, Mary Lou. My baby. My love.
No Hindu community, however low, will touch cow's flesh. On the other hand, there is no community which is really an Untouchable community which has not something to do with the dead cow. Some eat her flesh, some remove the skin, some manufacture articles out of her skin and bones.
Religion survives because it answers three questions that every reflective person must ask. Who am I? Why am I here? How then shall I live?
Whether one traces his Americanism back three centuries to the Mayflower, or three years to the steerage, is not half so important as whether his Americanism of today is real and genuine. No matter by what various crafts we came here, we are all now in the same boat.
Actually, your soul and mine are the same. We appear and disappear with each other.
She was one of those Southerners who knew from an early age that the South could never be more for them than a fragrant prison, administered by a collective of loving but treacherous relatives.
If you were dealing with the accumulated repressions of only one lifetime, it would be different. But these are the repressions of numerous lives. Nobody knows how many times you have been born, and how many societies have crushed you. And each time a different society, and all these societies destroying you in different ways... this is why you carry so many inner contradictions.
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