Maybe it’s time to admit that the Statue of Liberty has never quite measured up

The Statue of Liberty has long been ubiquitous in American culture asa staple of advertising, a backdrop for films and political rallies, and a mandatory stop on the standard tourist pilgrimage. For many Americans — those who trace their ancestry back to European immigrants — it is the preeminent symbol of the melting pot, proof of this country’s charitable nature, its warm invitation to the world and its social mobility.