The new United States welcomed a diversity of people, especially the persecuted and oppressed. E pluribus unum: from many, one.

The ideal hasn’t always been realized. We’ve excluded Asians, Mexicans, Africans, Hispanics, Muslims and people represented by the Rainbow Flag. Ads said “no Irish need apply.” Italians were “wops,” without papers. Catholics were un-American. African “immigrants” came as slaves. Mexicans who lived here before it was the U.S. were called wetbacks.

Yet the ideal of a melting pot or stew remained, despite prejudice and discrimination. Now the ideal itself is in question.

The Statue of Liberty symbolized the ideal. “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!”

Should a “No Vacancy” sign now be posted? As the already-massive numbers of refugees and displaced people increase with arms sales and climate change, will the Mother of Exiles exchange her lamp for a gun?

James Dallen

Spokane