ll reflect on the iconic lines of “The New Colossus,” Emma Lazarus’s 1883 poem inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty:
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, the tempest-tost to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
Discussing challenges that face our world often means investigating opinions and ideas different from your own. Remember to remain thoughtful and respectful toward your peers and instructor in your initial and response discussion posts.
Create one initial post and respond to at least two of your classmates.
For your initial post, address the following:
Introduce yourself to the class by sharing a bit about yourself. This might include information such as your preferred name and pronouns, your hobbies, where you are from, your major, or whatever you are comfortable sharing.
What is the main message of the Lazarus poem?
Then, answer the following question: What were you taught about one or more of the following immigration historical figures/topics? You may also choose a topic that is not on this list:
Angel Island
Ellis Island and the melting pot
Manifest Destiny
After writing about your chosen topic/figure and what you were taught about it, address the following question: Reflect on how the Lazarus poem holds up against the module resources. Be sure to cite any sources you use.
Alright, let’s dive into this discussion.
Initial Post:
Hello everyone! My name is [Your Name], and I use [Your Pronouns]. I’m passionate about [Your Hobbies], and I’m currently studying [Your Major]. I’m originally from [Your Location] and I’m excited to explore these topics with you all.
The main message of Emma Lazarus’s poem, “The New Colossus,” is one of radical welcome and compassion. It portrays the United States, symbolized by the Statue of Liberty, as a beacon of hope for the world’s oppressed and marginalized. The poem extends an invitation to those suffering from poverty, persecution, and displacement, offering them refuge and the promise of freedom. It directly contrasts the traditional image of a conquering colossus with a nurturing, maternal figure, emphasizing empathy and humanitarianism.
For my chosen topic, I’d like to focus on Ellis Island and the “melting pot” concept. I was taught that Ellis Island was the gateway to America, a place where millions of immigrants from diverse backgrounds arrived seeking a better life. The “melting pot” metaphor was presented as a positive ideal, suggesting that these immigrants would assimilate into American culture, blending their unique identities into a unified whole. It was portrayed as a symbol of American openness and opportunity.
However, reflecting on how the Lazarus poem holds up against the module resources, particularly when compared to the reality of Ellis Island and the “melting pot” ideal, reveals a more complex and often contradictory picture. While the poem celebrates open arms, the experience of immigrants at Ellis Island was often marked by scrutiny, exclusion, and even deportation. The “melting pot” ideal, while seemingly inclusive, often demanded that immigrants relinquish their cultural identities and conform to dominant American norms.
Alright, let’s dive into this discussion.
Initial Post:
Hello everyone! My name is [Your Name], and I use [Your Pronouns]. I’m passionate about [Your Hobbies], and I’m currently studying [Your Major]. I’m originally from [Your Location] and I’m excited to explore these topics with you all.
The main message of Emma Lazarus’s poem, “The New Colossus,” is one of radical welcome and compassion. It portrays the United States, symbolized by the Statue of Liberty, as a beacon of hope for the world’s oppressed and marginalized. The poem extends an invitation to those suffering from poverty, persecution, and displacement, offering them refuge and the promise of freedom. It directly contrasts the traditional image of a conquering colossus with a nurturing, maternal figure, emphasizing empathy and humanitarianism.
For my chosen topic, I’d like to focus on Ellis Island and the “melting pot” concept. I was taught that Ellis Island was the gateway to America, a place where millions of immigrants from diverse backgrounds arrived seeking a better life. The “melting pot” metaphor was presented as a positive ideal, suggesting that these immigrants would assimilate into American culture, blending their unique identities into a unified whole. It was portrayed as a symbol of American openness and opportunity.
However, reflecting on how the Lazarus poem holds up against the module resources, particularly when compared to the reality of Ellis Island and the “melting pot” ideal, reveals a more complex and often contradictory picture. While the poem celebrates open arms, the experience of immigrants at Ellis Island was often marked by scrutiny, exclusion, and even deportation. The “melting pot” ideal, while seemingly inclusive, often demanded that immigrants relinquish their cultural identities and conform to dominant American norms.
