I traffic in empathy. I try to be vulnerable with people so they can be vulnerable back. I've always been searching for empathy in other people. It's when I feel most not alone.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
As a newcomer to America who learned to 'speak American' by watching movies, I firmly believe that to change the politics of immigration and citizenship, we must change culture - the way we portray undocumented people like me and our role in society.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Cultural representation is crucial in shaping perspectives on immigration and citizenship.
In this quote, Jose Antonio Vargas emphasizes the importance of changing cultural narratives and representations of undocumented individuals in American society. He argues that these narratives significantly influence the politics surrounding immigration and citizenship, suggesting that by altering the way undocumented people are portrayed in media and culture, society can shift its understanding and acceptance of these individuals and their contributions.
Themes
ImmigrationCultureRepresentationSocietyUndocumented
In practice
Example use cases
During a panel discussion on immigration, one might quote Vargas to highlight the role of media in shaping public perceptions.
More from Jose Antonio Vargas
All quotes →Citizenship to me is more than a piece of paper. Citizenship is also about character. I am an American. We're just waiting for our country to recognize it.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
Kathy Dewar, my high-school English teacher, introduced me to journalism. From the moment I wrote my first article for the student paper, I convinced myself that having my name in print - writing in English, interviewing Americans - validated my presence here.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
I'm more than willing to go to places and talk to people who believe that I am an illegal alien who deserves to be jailed. I want to look them in the eye and say, 'What makes you think I'm any different from you?' I think for our generation, immigration rights is a civil rights issue.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
I'm a gay, undocumented immigrant; I have to be optimistic.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
There were many factors as to why I decided to come out as being undocumented. One of them is because I look the way that I look; I don't look like the 'stereotypical undocumented' person.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
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