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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the importance of empathy and vulnerability in fostering meaningful connections with others.
In this quote, Jose Antonio Vargas expresses the belief that empathy is fundamental to human connection. By being open and vulnerable with others, he creates an environment where people feel safe to share their own struggles and emotions, ultimately leading to a sense of belonging and overcoming feelings of loneliness. This mutual exchange of vulnerability is what allows for deeper relationships and understanding among individuals.
Themes
EmpathyVulnerabilityConnectionRelationshipsLoneliness
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the importance of emotional intelligence in relationships.
More from Jose Antonio Vargas
All quotes →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
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.
Jose Antonio VargasRead
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