In the midst of virulent anti-immigration legislation rampant in so many states now, I came upon this cartoon from the time of President Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921). Miss Liberty is complaining: “Mr. Wilson, if you are going to make this island a garbage heap, I am going back to France.” The Statue of Liberty was less than 25 years old at the time. The torch lifted at the golden gate had already dimmed.
Pamela Schoenewaldt, historical novels of immigration and the search for self in new worlds: WHEN WE WERE STRANGERS, SWIMMING IN THE MOON, and UNDER THE SAME BLUE SKY (all HarperCollins).
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