Tired of Yearning

In 1882 wealthy poet Emma Lazarus, along with a number of other artists and writers, was asked to donate an original poem to support the proposed construction of a monument in New York City. Originally she demurred, claiming that she couldn’t really emote for a statue. Moreover, she was already fully charitably engaged working for against the deplorable conditions of those fleeing anti-Semitism across Europe. Eventually, she agreed and penned “The New Colossus” hoping it might bring attention to the difficulties faced by the newly arriving refugees into America. Not only was her work well regarded by those attending the benefit, officials ultimately declared it worthy of posting in bronze at the base of the new work, The Statue of Liberty.

While the whole of the piece is worthy of review, most of us remember, “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!” The imagery evokes the difficulty of sea-crossing in crowded vessels seeking a new and better way of life in a faraway land. Yet, is it really different than those crossing thousands of miles of jungle and desert on foot, in auto or on train from Central America seeking a better life for themselves and their families? Regardless, the recent gaggle of protesters on the tony plazas in and around Wall Street (from many of which, Lady Liberty is fully in view) reminded me of this poem and led me to ponder what Ms. Lazarus might think of the goings-on.

Is America built upon the guarantee of wealth and contentedness? Or, is it a place that only promises the ability of their pursuit? Is it freedom or something else that is now yearned?

This column was published on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 in the Current in Carmel, Current in Westfield, Current in Fishers , and Current in Noblesville - http: //youarecurrent.com/

Photo taken from http://themendenhall.com