Solar Pillar before daybreak

In 1751, Benjamin Franklin wrote about the 'palatine boors' (German immigrants) who refused to adopt English customs creating "a colony of aliens" here in the new world.

1840-1890  'No Irish Need Apply' were in work advertisements because the Irish were considered dirty.

The 1882  Chinese Exclusion Act was signed by President Chester Arthur because of a large anti-Chinese sentiment.  

1924 another act - The Immigration Act limiting Southern Europeans.  The Italians were said to be natural criminals and too swarthy to be really 'white'.

Lets not forget 1942 forced internment of 120,000 U.S. citizens of Japanese descent who were put in camps in case they might be spies for the Japanese.

You'd think we would have learned or at least be more tolerant but our president says of all Somalis '...we're going the wrong way, if we keep bringing in garbage into our country."  

 On the Statue of Liberty is written "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free."  The statue's message is of acceptance and hope - wouldn't it be nice if we supported that ideal."