September 27, 1997 Editor, Los Angeles Times
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Dr. Tyndall says that the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of liberty, not immigration.(Dr. Tyndall was the most published NY Times letter-writer in 1995 - He is completing a book on immigration and trade.) |
In 1886, a great statue was erected in New York Harbor. Called Liberty Enlightening the Word, the statue was a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States. Because the Americans with their successful revolution that resulted in a Declaration of Independence in 1776 had lit the way for the people of France, who began their own successful revolution in 1789, the statue included a perpetual torch that would light the way for other nations whose people also wished to achieve liberty.
But a poet named Emma Lazarus decided that she was not satisfied with the gift of the French people as a symbol of liberty. She had in mind a completely opposite concept: Rather than a symbol of fighting for liberty and a republican form of government in the country of one's birth, Lazarus believed that Lady Liberty should symbolize the fleeing of the problems of one's native country start a new life in the United States. This radical transformation of the original meaning of Lady Liberty has had a profound effect on the world's dispossessed and their view of the United States.
For example, although impoverished and only 35 years old, Mexico's Serrano Perez has chosen to bring 7 children into the world. Then, once he has realized that he cannot support the large family that he has chosen to create, he encourages his 16-year-old son to break the immigration laws of the United States. The justification? "Look at the conditions we live in. That's why our children venture off to try to help us." All across the Earth, similarly irresponsible people state that the United States as a nation of immigrants has an obligation to help them.
Mexico's many problems might have been solved by its citizens long ago if only the people of the United States had not allowed the United Sates to be used as a "safety valve." Until the federal government of the United States decides to get serious about preventing illegal immigration, tragic stories such as this one will be repeated again and again.
Raymond Tyndall, M.D.
LOS ANGELES
Dr. Tyndall is a member of VCT (now known as American Patrol) and a frequent contributor to its newsletter.
