Most people may have perused my Wikipedia page. To be honest, i am getting on in years, and I do forget all those little details about my life, so forgive me if I use that resource often, to tell my story. Here is the link.
When I was a younger woman, and lived in the realms of the Gods and Goddesses, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would spend eternity as a statue on a small island, in a rather young country called ‘America”.
I always find it so odd, that the country I watch over used so many women as national symbolism, and also used many references and images to the Gods and Goddesses of Greco-Roman times, yet were and still are unfortunately so misogynistic in their belief systems.
Naturally I assumed whilst holding such an important and esteemed position for mortals from all over the globe who traveled to this new supposed mecca of liberty fairness equality and intellect that i would be presiding over a somewhat progressive and liberal society.
Like all young women who are given an opportunity to stand around and be gawked at and admired i assumed it was for what I represented. A young, vibrant, confident Goddess secure in her own marble, and standing firmly upon my pedestal.
Frankly and to be honest, it was men that created me. I was not the only female symbol to be honored at that time, there were many. But the men chose me. Now, like all women at some point in our lives we are happy to be selected by a man to be a symbol of all they hold dear.
I have to say though, that right now in 2022, not so much. Seeing as what men “Hold Dear” nowadays, frankly i hide my face and shut my eyes so that i do not have to see it. I would cover my ears as well, if I did not have to hold this torch aloft. That torch seems to be at times the only bright light shining through the country I watch over at times these days, so I can’t drop it.
When the famous poem, and the words ascribed to my statue were written by a woman, no less, some claimed they “Liked the words better then the statue”.
Her name, was Emma Lazarus. She wrote a poem called “Colossus”. Which some say was reminiscent of the statue of Helios, a statue that was a man, and based on a cousin of mine, another Immortal.
Here is a segment of the poem, which can be found in this article:
Now let me just say, that during my tenure, protecting, guiding and standing as a symbol of equality fairness and also immigration and humanistic perspectives very oddly progressive for its time, being that women did not even have the right to vote yet, and here I am, a female goddess being set up as the light of the nation. But were I a mortal woman i would have no say in its governance, yet, I am the beacon for it.
I have often smelt the sting of smoke in my nostrils as it wafted to me on my pedestal. Most notably during Reconstruction after the Civil War, and two World Wars, not to mention unrest and upheavals during those times, while the mortals I held a torch for battled over their souls, their freedoms, rights, and inequities.
I stood stoically during such times believing that what I was standing for for them, would rise above the din, and come out victorious.
Little did I realize that after so much was won gained and fought for, coming into this new age, that so much more would be asked of of me. That I am to stoically still stand and protect that which has been so put upon me. Would I do be in human form, I would be covered with the same filth that was smearing on the floors and walls of the capital building. That those i have protected would do such a thing. I feel that which occurs, as I am after all, a Goddess trapped inside of a marble statue of the making of men. I stand for something. When something I have stood for is made filthy, I feel it most deeply.
Every bullet, every violent act, every crime against an immigrant, every hateful racist public display, every use of my image and symbolism used by those who would send acrid smoke up my nostrils, and denigrate the very sex I stand for.
This is what shakes me from my foundation. I haze had enough, thus I am penning America this letter, to inform you that I am displeased with those mortals, who placed me up here, and now denigrate my service to this country. Those of you who use the word ‘Liberty” as a cudgel to smear and defecate on others who are helpless to fight your hate. Those who carry torches and talk about “replacement”.
The two men who lovingly crafted me, understood that the best symbolism was that of a strong progressive woman, at a time when women had little voice. A woman penned the words that are inscribed to me.
In conclusion, I would like to say: Stop. I have had enough.
My thanks for reading.
Sincerely
The Statue Of Liberty.