Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Vargas recounts his life from the moment his mother put him on a plane to the US through his coming out as an undocumented American. He has spent 23+ years in this country, paying taxes, making a name for himself, and, now, helping others understand why he did what he did. This subject could not be more relevant today. It was a quick read that taught me a lot about the American stance on immigration.
In the end, this memoir wasn’t satisfying and didn’t feel complete—but in that way, it may have brilliantly given me a tiny taste of that feeling of constant limbo that Vargas has experienced his whole life.
Vargas puts a human face to an issue that, for most of us, is a highly politicized topic that we understand in memes and talking points. He broadened my conception of the undocumented immigrant and left me reeling with more questions than I had when I began reading.
While the second half of the book does take us away from his personal journey and into his journey navigating the choppy waters of activism, I felt that his lack of belonging in that world was just as enlightening and gave me a lot to think about when it comes to the realm of progressive activism.
Vargas puts a human face to an issue that, for most of us, is a highly politicized topic that we understand in memes and talking points. He broadened my conception of the undocumented immigrant and left me reeling with more questions than I had when I began reading.
While the second half of the book does take us away from his personal journey and into his journey navigating the choppy waters of activism, I felt that his lack of belonging in that world was just as enlightening and gave me a lot to think about when it comes to the realm of progressive activism.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
I just devoured Dear America by Jose Antonio Vargas. It is the first book in a LONG time that I have read in one sitting. It is a book that should be part of the American cannon providing a clear and searing look at the impact our immigration system has on the lives of our neighbors.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
So much that I did not know, and so much that I may never know or understand. Another reason why the simplest of things I take so for granted are why I am so fortunate. Being born in the USA is akin to winning the lottery. I did nothing to "earn" it, but because of it, I am far more fortunate than many many people. This book made me realize the reality of a 'thought' or 'prayer' I heard just today... "Help me to rediscover the awe in things I see every day". Every day I wake up a citizen of America. I do not daily give thanks for that gift, and yet I should.
Beautifully written long essay by undocumented journalist Jose Antonio Vargas. A wonderful mixture of personal story and fact based journalism that helps bring to light one of the millions of stories of what it is to be labeled “outsider”. Smart and evocative. The ending section of being detained by all Mexican American guards was particularly interesting. The US contradictory and painful immigration policy put on spotlight.