American citizen Quote by Teju Cole
“Killing a bunch of people in Sudan and Yemen and Pakistan, it's like, "Who cares - we don't know them." But the current discussion is framed as "When can the President kill an American citizen?" Now in my mind, killing a non-American citizen without due process is just as criminal as killing an American citizen without due process - but whatever gets us to the table to discuss this thing, we're going to take it.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, “The War on Terror and the American Presidency”, 2019
The quote highlights a double standard in how societies value foreign versus domestic lives, urging equal legal protections for all.
In simple terms: All lives deserve equal legal protection.
Key Takeaway
Demand consistent due process.
Themes
human rights
justice
government accountability
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- human rights advocacy
- media commentary
Key Concepts
legal equality
ethical consistency
Questions to Reflect On
- How can laws be reformed to protect non‑citizens equally?
- What biases influence public concern for distant lives?
A Different Perspective
Legal systems often prioritize citizens over non‑citizens, creating moral inconsistency.
![“When I asked the president [Barack Obama], can you kill an American on American soil, it should have been an easy answer. It's an easy question. It should have been a resounding and unequivocal no. The president's response, he hasn't killed anyone yet.” quote by Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/462/rand-paul-606_answers_when-i-asked-the-president-barack-obama_2586343.jpg)
