Jose Antonio Vargas: SINNER OR SAINT?

“Being ambitious isn’t about loving what you do. That’s passion. Ambition is never having it be good enough.”
There’s a question that lingers in my mind, did Jose Antonio Vargas, our “kababayan” from US of A made us proud after winning together with his team the Pulitzer award?
After reading his story, I know from the bottom of my heart that I’m proud of him. What he is right now is a product of blood and sweat plus prayers of course. What he is right now is someone that would inspire anybody to pursue his dream. What he is right now is something that the gay community would be proud of.
He grew up with his family in the busy streets in San Francisco Bay area, and he was 16 years old when he knew he was an illegal immigrant when he’s applying for a driver’s license and he’s green card was fake. But that didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream. He believe that if he will work and study harder and tell to the world he has all the reason to stay in America – he will be rewarded a citizenship.
With the help of friends and family he was able to work as a reporter to various companies and at the same finish schooling with flying colors. Although happy, he’s still constantly looking over his shoulder, afraid his status as an illegal immigrant will be discovered. What I admire of him is that he’s a strong and well-focused man. Aside from his citizenship, there’s another secret he kept for many years – his sexuality. He had known he was gay for several years but coming out seemed less daunting than coming out about his legal status. He was also inspired by the movie “Milk,” starred by Sean Penn, who portrays Harvey Milk, an openly gay San Francisco city official who was assassinated.
After a thorough self-analysis, he decided to come out, both his sexuality and his legal status. With the help of network of support and friends, he started to work with immigration lawyers. But despite having helped from his friends and mentors, and despite the success he had achieved, he felt that he could no longer keep going on with his lies.
"I learned that no amount of professional success would solve my problem or ease the sense of loss and displacement I felt."
He shared his story to a group called Dream ACT- Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, to encourage support. This is a bill that will allow youth to apply for permanent legal residency. He has also founded Define American, an organization that aims to bring "new voices into the immigration conversation." Define American encourages dialogue about the American immigration system, which, it says, needs fixing.He said that there are millions of people in the US who were just like him.
"We don't just mow your lawn, we don't just serve you tacos, but we do other things, and we are a part of this society.”
"In my heart, I am an American," he said.