Ellis Island

Just a brief post about Ellis Island. I have been to a place where millions of people were processed before, and the similarity was striking. Only this is the absolute polar opposite. While Auschvitz's purpose was death, Ellis Island was full of hope and promise. It was the three doors at the end of the Great Hall that brought things home most strongly. Being sent to the left door, and you were off to the mainland of America. The right door, and they sent you to New York itself. But the middle door, and you were on our way to deportation to the place and life you were trying to escape. Fortunately, only 2% were sent back. Something like 1/3 of the whole population of the US have a connection with the left or right door. Amazing place.