“And so each of the passersby on this corner, every…
““And so each of the passersby on this corner, every scruffy, oversize, undersize, weird, fat, or bony or limping or muttering or foreign-looking, or green-haired punk-strutting, threatening, crazy, angry, inconsolable person I see . . . is a New Yorker, which is to say as native to this diaspora as I am, and part of our great sputtering experiment in a universalist society proposing a world without nations where anyone can be anything and the ID is planetary.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote celebrates the diversity of New Yorkers, seeing every odd or marginalized person as part of a shared urban experiment toward a borderless, universal society.
In simple terms: All these varied people together form a unique, experimental community.
Key Takeaway
Embrace diversity as a strength.
Themes
diversity
urban life
identity
experiment
universalism
Mood
reflective
hopeful
critical
Type
philosophical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- city life
- immigrant experiences
- community building
- political activism
Key Concepts
social theory
urban sociology
humanism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does diversity shape your sense of belonging?
- What does a universalist society mean to you?
A Different Perspective
The ideal of a nation‑less world may overlook practical governance challenges.