Alicia Keys' short film is powerful. I've long said the same thing...
If Americans had to face the daily struggles of refugees, if Americans had to endure daily violence by the hands of despot dictators, domestic insurrectionists, as well as from invasive foreign military powers, our perception, our compassion, our empathy would increase dramatically. Until we as Americans view refugees as humans, as ourselves, the struggles will continue.
Thinking back through the corridor of history, I am reminded that nearly all/many of the waves of immigrants and refugees to The USA were those who escaped hostile and inhospitable conditions in their own nations. The USA was founded by those who themselves felt the persecution by England. The vision of the Founding Fathers was to create a nation of safety, independence and freedom. America certainly has not been perfect in her attainment of those lofty goals, but as we have grown as a Nation in awareness, empathy, and in our own humanity, we are closer today than we were in 1776. And by doing so, are closer to forming a more perfect union for all of our citizens. As Jim Wright says, "If you want a better nation, be better citizens."
Sadly, we have collectively forgotten our foreign heritage, our refugee heritage, we have collectively forgotten the struggles of our immigrant parents and grand-parents. Unless we are descendants of the First Nations, ALL of us are children of immigrants, and often times we are children of refugees. As children of refugees, we should embrace present and future refugees in the spirit of what this great nation stands for.
The Statue of Liberty stands stalwart in the winds and weather, braving darkness and season, facing away from our shores to the horizon toward those arriving from other lands. Displaying broken chains at her feet, holding a torch of light in one hand and the Declaration of Independence in the other, Liberty stands as the Lighthouse welcoming us Home.
Inscribed on Liberty's pedestal,
the words of Emma Lazarus in her poem "New Colossus".
the words of Emma Lazarus in her poem "New Colossus".
An invitation. A reminder.
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
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