Member-only story
Activism Poem and Art
Fear Her… Fear Liberty
‘Land of the free & home of the brave’ oppressed
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!
I’ve never had the honor of visiting the Statue of Liberty. But, the ideals she always embodied made me proud to call myself an American. Now? Now, I don’t recognize my country. I’m heartbroken and outraged… and more than a little scared.
I don’t feel much like an American these days. I’m not alone, apparently, others don’t feel like they belong in the States anymore and want to leave. The kind of American that Lady Liberty exemplifies is no longer welcome in this “land of the free and home of the brave.” Freedom is denied and the brave are oppressed.
My naturalized citizen Iranian-American husband is not welcome. My half Persian son is not welcome. I cannot feel welcome where they are unwelcome. I feel unwelcome in my own country.
Because I’m almost completely homebound due to my health issues, I am unable to protest in person. However, I can, I will and do use my Art and my writing in protest. I couldn’t stop any more than I could stop breathing.
