The Promise of AmericaThe New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "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-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "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-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Lots of "stuff" on the blogs today. Happy 4th of July, Sarah Palin resigned, an American soldier has been captured by the Taliban and we are wondering if they will treat him (or her) the same way that we treated the prisoners we (tortured) held.
The Declaration of Independence is there in all its majesty.
A Youtube video of some fool shooting fireworks out his ass, and pictures of parties.
I am watching Yankee Doodle Dandy on Turner Classic Movies and am reminded that America is country built by immigrants and folks who came here under the promise of the Lady of Liberty. The chance to improve and better themselves. My own ancestors came from Scotland, Ireland and England as well as Germany. I am reminded by one of the songs in the movie that the Irish were not always welcome in America. Our country was built by immigrants and it will remain great as long as we remember the principles upon which it was founded. America is not a melting pot. It is, instead, a crazy quilt or a kaleidoscope of people a beautiful amalgamation of all of the cultures that make up America. I really hope that our country does not lose sight of the promise upon which this country was built. To celebrate the 4th please enjoy James Cagney and join with me in being grateful for the promise (still unfulfilled) that is America.
Encore - Cagney could DANCE!
Thanks for stopping by, ARTYAL. Hugs, j
4 comments:
Happy 4th of July
Good post, Jay!
Read up on Emma Lazarus, who wrote "The New Colossus." She's a fascinating figure, and unjustly forgotten these days.
Happy 4th!
that first photo is a stunner
and I love Cagney
Hope you had a wonderful day
Happy 4th of July, I enjoyed your piece, it reminds us, in the rest of the world that there are some Americans who are not arrogant, and that America is a great country by the people for the people. The picture of Lady Liberty says it all - great photo
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