--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: New York City does not hold our former…" description: "\"New York City does not hold our former selves against us. Perhaps we can extend the same courtesy.\" — Colson Whitehead" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2c/colson-whitehead-1042_cities_new-york-city-does-not-hold-our-former-s_1828244.png" --- # New York City does not hold our former selves against us… ![“New York City does not hold our former selves against us. Perhaps we can extend the same courtesy.” quote by Colson Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2c/colson-whitehead-1042_cities_new-york-city-does-not-hold-our-former-s_1828244.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2c/colson-whitehead-1042_cities_new-york-city-does-not-hold-our-former-s_1828244.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2c/colson-whitehead-1042_cities_new-york-city-does-not-hold-our-former-s_1828244.png) > “New York City does not hold our former selves against us. Perhaps we can extend the same courtesy.” [Colson Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colson-whitehead/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Cities should not judge individuals by past identities; instead, extend the same empathy we expect. **In simple terms:** Cities should be empathetic. Key Takeaway Extend empathy to all. Themes empathy city life identity Mood thoughtful hopeful Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - housing policy - immigration - community integration Key Concepts sociology urban studies Questions to Reflect On - How can cities balance empathy with resources? - What policies foster inclusive treatment? 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I knew -- the moon's picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-was-too-tired-to-think-i-merely-felt-the-town-as-a-unique-unreality/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 7,153 Cities quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cities/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "New York City does not hold our former selves against us. 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