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From: chabot@arden.DEC
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: And now for a little US jingoism...
Message-ID: <71@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 11-May-84 12:15:46 EDT
Article-I.D.: decwrl.71
Posted: Fri May 11 12:15:46 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 13-May-84 07:13:19 EDT
Organization: DEC Engineering Network
Lines: 41

John Hobson quotes Evan Kane quoting Emma Lazarus' poem (the one on the
Statue of Liberty), and then says

> Speaking as an immigrant to the United States (from England via
> Canada), I want to say that I dislike this poem intensely.  I am
> not "wretched refuse" nor a "huddled mass."  I always feel insulted
> by this poem. 

Well, that's 'cause you're here now.  :-) You used to be "wretched refuse" and 
part of one of the "huddled masses", but at last the tempest has toss'd you
here to the wide realm of Prospero, the brave new world which doesn't have such
people in it.  :-)

I like the poem, but I like it better when I sing it.

And actually, there have been those who may feel the conditions of their lives
have been significantly improved by immigration to the US.  This poem shouldn't
be interpreted as saying to Europe, etc "Sure, we'll take your garbage, we'll
take them all", but rather as an expression of the American Dream: here you can
have a chance, here is a golden door of opportunity to those who might be
crushed and wasted in the overcrowded Old World.  And there's a certain amount
of Yankee pride in being able to take something that no one else wanted (extra
people) and do something not too bad with it, after all.

Well, you'll have to excuse me.  I was born and raised here.  Having the
American Dream shouted at you all your life can warp the mind a little, even if
you think you know better.  (Think I'll go home and read The Great Gadsby.)
Anyway, the interpretation of the poem in the above paragraph do not 
necessarily express the opinions of the author.  Any author.

Actually, I think all you recent comers (ie, anyone themselves or  whose 
foreparents (hmmm.... foremothers and forefathers hmm... :-) )
arrived here in the 20th century) should show more respect or we'll send you
back where you came from! :-) :-) :-)  With no dinner, either! :-)

				Lisa Chabot

	...decwrl!rhea!arden!chabot

"Well, a'right.  We'll take the n*****s and the ch***s, but no I**sh."
				--from Blazing Saddles (sort of)