Holiday Musings

"You won't have a name when you ride the big airplane

And all they will call you will be deportees." 

-- Woody Guthrie

   Racism and bigotry are not new in America, despite the welcome posted on the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.

   "Send me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door."

   But now, says the president, the door is closed because "There's no more room."

   America was founded by refugees from discrimination, beginning with the Pilgrims who had to leave England and sought refuge in the Netherlands before sailing to America.

   Later, Irish Catholics moved to Maryland to escape bias and find the freedom to practice their faith.

   Soon enough, however, those who were here for a while sought ways to prevent newcomers from linking to freedom and opportunities.

   "Help wanted," said the ad. People of all backgrounds considered, "except no Irish."

   Another added "NINA" to the poster seeking workers, meaning: "No Irish Need Apply."

   That was in the 19th Century. In the 20th Century, a boatload of Jewish refugees from Germany was turned away from landing in New York, forcing them to return and face the Holocaust.

   And many of Italian descent today can remember seeking jobs but losing out because of company policies. As a result, workers changed their names.

   But for those of Asian or African heritages, that was not an option.

   Here's an irony to consider: Many of the patriotic songs shouted by those most biased against immigrants were written by newcomers, including "The Star-Spangled Banner," the march composed by John Philip Sousa, son of immigrants from Portugal.

   And "God Bless America," made famous by Kate Smith, was composed by Irving Berlin, a Jewish Immigrant from Russia.