New colossus

"The New Colossus" is a sonnet written by Emma Lazarus in 1883 to raise funds for the construction of a statue dedicated to freedom and democracy, which would later become the iconic Statue of Liberty. The sonnet is engraved on a plaque inside the statue's pedestal and has become one of the most famous poems in American literature.

The poem is a tribute to the idea of freedom and the American dream, and it welcomes immigrants to the United States, symbolized by the statue's torch. The poem's central message is one of hope and opportunity, as it describes the statue as a beacon of freedom and a symbol of the idea that all people are created equal.

Here is the full text of the poem:

"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "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-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

The poem's final line, "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-tossed to me, / I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" has become a powerful symbol of American values and a beacon of hope for immigrants seeking a better life in the United States.

The poem has been widely interpreted and has become a cultural touchstone, symbolizing the idea of freedom, opportunity, and the American dream. It has also been the subject of controversy and debate, with some critics arguing that the poem's message is too narrow and exclusive, while others see it as a powerful symbol of American values and a beacon of hope for immigrants.