During our Ellis Island simulation we had a lot of parent volunteers. Some were doctors and lawyers
and people whe checked immigrants. One mom was a reporter and talked with us as we came into our
Ellis Island. She wrote this article for us!
and people whe checked immigrants. One mom was a reporter and talked with us as we came into our
Ellis Island. She wrote this article for us!
****
Yesterday morning, as most of The Big Apple settled into another ordinary day, Ellis Island was abuzz
with excitement and new beginnings. I greeted immigrants from many foreign shores, including England,
Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Scotland, South Africa, Iran, Bohemia, Russia, Poland, and Japan! The
voyagers had each endured great hardships to at long last reach American soil. Some travelled with
siblings, some completed their journey despite being orphaned and alone—still others befriended fellow
boat mates and vowed that they would never separate. Travellers described “ atrocious food and filthy
mats,” and “a dramatic storm which washed ten people overboard.” They were cold and exhausted. It is
easy for the comfortable citizens of New York to see “huddled masses” as impersonal and insignificant,
but as each individual shared their story of perseverance, each voice became a unique testimony to the
human spirit’s determination for a better life.
with excitement and new beginnings. I greeted immigrants from many foreign shores, including England,
Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Scotland, South Africa, Iran, Bohemia, Russia, Poland, and Japan! The
voyagers had each endured great hardships to at long last reach American soil. Some travelled with
siblings, some completed their journey despite being orphaned and alone—still others befriended fellow
boat mates and vowed that they would never separate. Travellers described “ atrocious food and filthy
mats,” and “a dramatic storm which washed ten people overboard.” They were cold and exhausted. It is
easy for the comfortable citizens of New York to see “huddled masses” as impersonal and insignificant,
but as each individual shared their story of perseverance, each voice became a unique testimony to the
human spirit’s determination for a better life.
Some communicated “being able to walk safely down the street,” and “no longer being hungry” as
reasons why they endured the treacherous boat voyage. (Sadly, warfare and famine were major characters
in the majority of immigrant stories.) Others arrived because of extreme poverty in their homeland, with
skills that they hoped to translate into economic freedom: “a mechanic,” “a construction worker,” “ a
travelling musician,” “a seamstress,” “a weaver,” “a blacksmith,” and “a hat maker” among them. Many
spoke fondly of family members that had been left behind: mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers waiting
for money to be sent back home, so they, too, could make the voyage to America.
reasons why they endured the treacherous boat voyage. (Sadly, warfare and famine were major characters
in the majority of immigrant stories.) Others arrived because of extreme poverty in their homeland, with
skills that they hoped to translate into economic freedom: “a mechanic,” “a construction worker,” “ a
travelling musician,” “a seamstress,” “a weaver,” “a blacksmith,” and “a hat maker” among them. Many
spoke fondly of family members that had been left behind: mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers waiting
for money to be sent back home, so they, too, could make the voyage to America.
When I asked for the first thing on their American to-do lists, replies varied widely. A sampler: “eat a
classic NY hot dog,” “look for a job as a teacher,” “find my sister, “and “take a train to Maine.” Many
also shared foods that they would miss, made by a special shop or beloved relative: “cuttlefish,”
“fish n’ chips,” “sweet rolls,” and “homemade pasta.” One young chap slapped his knee, and guffawed,
“I’m definitely NOT going to miss potatoes.” This ability to laugh at the hardships life has dealt, and to
take action to move beyond them, is a gift. Each of us carries our past with us, but we are always able to
influence our present, and our future.
classic NY hot dog,” “look for a job as a teacher,” “find my sister, “and “take a train to Maine.” Many
also shared foods that they would miss, made by a special shop or beloved relative: “cuttlefish,”
“fish n’ chips,” “sweet rolls,” and “homemade pasta.” One young chap slapped his knee, and guffawed,
“I’m definitely NOT going to miss potatoes.” This ability to laugh at the hardships life has dealt, and to
take action to move beyond them, is a gift. Each of us carries our past with us, but we are always able to
influence our present, and our future.
In conclusion, I want you to consider one spunky girl who befriended a mouse onboard. She fed it, and
the rodent gradually became “Renaldo,” her beloved pet. I heard about this mouse from a number of her
fellow passengers, and had the privilege of meeting both Renaldo and his owner. She was nervous that
knowledge of Renaldo might get her deported, but I simply wanted my readers to know how much her
small acts of kindness toward a hungry creature provided a difficult journey with laughter and comfort.
So then, if this mouse now eats a piece of New York cheddar because of one generous heart, what might
the mouse’s benefactor, and all her fellow immigrants, do if we would only care for them, and provide
opportunities for them to thrive. The Statue of Liberty welcomes with a promise, “I lift my lamp beside
the golden door,” but it is each of us, fair citizens, who must open that golden door with outstretched
arms.
the rodent gradually became “Renaldo,” her beloved pet. I heard about this mouse from a number of her
fellow passengers, and had the privilege of meeting both Renaldo and his owner. She was nervous that
knowledge of Renaldo might get her deported, but I simply wanted my readers to know how much her
small acts of kindness toward a hungry creature provided a difficult journey with laughter and comfort.
So then, if this mouse now eats a piece of New York cheddar because of one generous heart, what might
the mouse’s benefactor, and all her fellow immigrants, do if we would only care for them, and provide
opportunities for them to thrive. The Statue of Liberty welcomes with a promise, “I lift my lamp beside
the golden door,” but it is each of us, fair citizens, who must open that golden door with outstretched
arms.
Be Kind to Your Self & Each Other. Happy Holidays!
—Nellie Bly
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