FEMINIST FRIDAY 2018

By Bernadette

“Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity.”

Pope Francis

 

The news this week of children being separated from their parents at our country’s border is so upsetting and heartbreaking.  I decided to let Lady Liberty speak about this policy.  I hope that we will consider her words a call to action and that many of us will contact our representatives and demand an immediate change.

 

The 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!”

Emma Lazarus, 1883

 

I invite you to take action to stop this abomination of American ideals.  A list containing the contact information for your representatives can be found at http://www.commoncause.org/find/lawmaker.

About Bernadette

I live in the small town of Haddonfield, NJ. I am at an age in my life when I seem to spend time thinking and musing about life. These musings are usually stimulated by my walks through Haddonfield, my reading of books and fellow bloggers, and my interaction with my group of fabulous family and friends.

42 Responses

  5. thejuicenut

    I have never seen the full poem before, how powerful and how poignant today, a salutory reminder of days when immigrants and refugees were welcomed, not stigmatised and criminalised. Thank you for posting it. 😊

    Liked by 2 people

  6. roughwighting

    I just got goosebumps as I re-read the poem. A poem I’ve read in the past and admired. A poem that should be placed on the top of every newspaper in the land. I knew nothing about the poet, though, because of course in history classes this female poet was ignored. THANK YOU for educating us here.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Osyth

    When I visited New York last year with my husband (who has lived in the US for 28 years and chose to take citizenship some years ago) and our youngest daughter, the one thing he insisted we do was to visit Ellis Island. He had been himself several times. I was struck by so many things that day but one was the gentle kind strength in Liberty’s eyes. The poem at her base is beyond inspiring and the words cannot be repeated often enough either in the USA or in an other country purporting to be civilized. Thank you Bernadette, today of all days, for very personal immigration related reasons, I needed this ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Osyth

        Oh one day it will be a story retold with glee … we all have bumps and the trick is to recognize balm and apply it when it’s presented. In the great story of life, as you and I both know, there are so many far far worse things. Thank you for always being so kind, dear Bernadette

        Liked by 2 people

  16. imafeministblog

    This post was such an interesting read, so important to write about and show all these inspiring strong women.. well done!

    The campaign #ImAFeminist: We are for equality, is mentioning topics related to this. It is a recently started campaign that previously have mentioned the topic of why men need feminism as well as this week the issues of the gender pay gap as well as what Intersectionality is about. The campaign also has a Facebook and Twitter page worth checking out, and would love your comments, likes and shares if you enjoy it. If you have any ideas for topics important to feminism worth writing about please tell us. Thanks for checking it out and helping us improve and expand our campaign.

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/imafeminist4
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/feministforequality/
    Wordpress: https://feministforequalityblog.wordpress.com/

    ImAFeminist: We are for Equality
    E.L.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Annika Perry

    Wow! I can’t beleive I’ve never read this in its entirety-incredibly powerful and a rallying call to beat them all. It’s been heartbreaking to read the news from your lovely country … this morning again catching up on some of the latest heart wrenching stories of separation and loss, as they are not sure if everyone will ever be reunited. I feel gutted, empty. Mind staggering that this is happening.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Bernadette

      Not necessarily better either. Once the immigrant got here there still were huge obstacles. But I agree with Pope Francis that people should not be used as pawns. Our country should remember our shameful history of turning away Jews during the holocaust.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. writerwannabe763

    Though we are in Canada… never the less we watch and our hearts break also. To imagine the confusion and tears of parents and children… It was encouraging to see the demonstrations of the people recently. It is really a non-partisan issue. It is a ‘humanity’ issue. Diane

    Liked by 1 person

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