The Lady's Hand

She's huge, as is the promise she makes on our behalf. As a nation, we fail to live up to that promise pretty much daily. But I can't help but feel proud when I see her, even piecemeal, even barely made. For all the racism, all the colonization, all the broken treaties and broken people, there is a flame to be cherished and fed. Not with the blood of another country's civilians. Not with the bones of the working class. No, that flame is the burning hope of millions of people, the hope of a better future, of happy families, of being able to square your shoulders and look anyone in the eye and say, "I'll work with you and you work with me, and together we'll get this done." Maybe those in Washington should take a field trip up to NYC and stand at Lady Liberty's feet. Take a good look at those broken chains, guys, and think of the labor it took to raise that torch. The Chinatown bus is only $35 - I'll buy the first ticket.

Philadelphia, PA

1876

from Philly History