During a recent trip to New York City to celebrate a friend’s milestone birthday, we toured the iconic Ellis Island, home of the Statue of Liberty. As we gazed upon this gift from France, dedicated in 1886, I thought about its significance and the statue’s meaning. The Statue of Liberty represents international friendship, democratic ideals, and human rights. Its creation embodies the collaborative effort between nations, artists, engineers, and citizens.

A very visible symbol of freedom and democracy, the Statue of Liberty inspires hope and trust throughout the world. A monument commemorating the end of slavery, the statue is as symbolic to America as baseball and apple pie. Americans love the idea of Lady Liberty, but lurking in the shadow of Lady Liberty, the truth of its meaning is terribly distorted and one-sided.

For immigrants migrating to the United States, the Statue of Liberty is a beacon of hope for a better future. Lady Liberty was lighting the way for immigrants to forge a brighter, more profitable future for themselves and their families. Those were the immigrants who willingly came to the United States. The visions of freedom and democracy that embodied Lady Liberty seemed to have backfired when it came to Black and Brown immigrants. 

If Lady Liberty were alive today, what would she say about the current state of America? Would she be shocked at the state of poverty in our country? Would she be appalled at our current administration’s immigration policies? Would she laugh at our so-called patriotic narratives? There are so many untruths hidden in the shadows of our country that would embarrass and shame even the most patriotic American. 

Land of the free, home of the brave? I am sure that she would be crying tears of anger and sorrow. Anger from the wealth gap disparity in America, the free. The wealth gap is sharply drawn along racial lines. In 2022, the median wealth of Black families was $44,900, and Hispanic families $61,600, compared to $285,000 for White families and $536,000 for Asian families. These disparities accumulated over generations and are directly linked to historical inequalities in access to education, homeownership, and employment. 

High wealth inequality directly affects our democracy and social stability in America. No doubt that concentrated wealth translates into political influence and corporate power, which undermines policy fairness and kills trust in institutions. It will take generations to close the wealth gap, and a government with integrity to ensure that policies are cemented to provide equal treatment to all its people.

The face of Lady Liberty would display deep sorrow for how America has treated its immigrants. The Statue of Liberty welcomed 12 million immigrants to American soil between 1892 and 1954. During that time, Ellis Island was designated as the United States’ busiest immigration inspection station. The immigrants arrived in large numbers from Italy, Ireland, and Eastern Europe, including Jewish populations fleeing Russia.

In stark contrast, major American slave ports included Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; Wilmington, North Carolina; and Norfolk, Virginia. Those were the key entry and trading points for enslaved Africans from the 16^th century until the mid-19^th century. Two totally separate immigration experiences. 

Lady Liberty would probably lower her head in shame if she knew of the valuable contributions that immigrants, Black and Brown Americans, have made in shaping the narrative that we call nationalism.  Patriotism is defined as “Love for or devotion to one’s country,” but how can you have a patriotic country that treats its people with such disregard? And if Lady Liberty were being totally honest with herself, is SHE not an immigrant too?

America is quite clear on what is considered patriotic and who gets the opportunity to bask in nationalism, and that clarity stops at the skin tone of its patriots. Black and Brown Americans have fought valiantly for this country, but are often overlooked in the history books. If Lady Liberty looks far enough, she can see the smoke of the burning of books and other important literature regarding slavery and the injustices of America. 

The truth is that Lady Liberty is not blind, unlike Lady Justice. She sees and feels the full backlash of inequality that permeates the 50 states. The “Mother of Exiles” is acquainted with the sorrows of her people, and that is why she still bears the torch that will light the way for racial justice and equality. 

References:

NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES, INCOME AND WEALTH INEQUALITY IN THE UNITED STATES: AN UPDATE; http://www.nber.org/papers/w33823 NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH, May 2025.

Slave trade in the United States – Wikipedia

Retrieved from:

The Fed – Greater Wealth, Greater Uncertainty: Changes in Racial Inequality in the Survey of Consumer Finances, October 18, 2023.

Why does wealth inequality matter? | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology, April 23, 2026