In concept, in morality, in politics and in ethics.
One area they differ dramatically is function.
Liberty, as you well know, was a gift 'from the people of France'.
A commemoration of the centennial signing of the Declaration of Independence.
It was placed directly next to Ellis Island to greet fresh new immigrants coming to America's newly declared shores.
Liberty's purpose, in this sense, was one of hospitality, in monumental form.
Ellis Island on the other hand was the machinery behind this majestic reception.
It was the in-take, the processing, testing, census making and naturalisation component of successful human traffic flow.
12 million people were inspected and introduced to their new nationality here between the years of 1892 and 1954.
Back in the good old days only 2% of this total traffic was deported or denied access in the rush to build a nation.
For those 2% Ellis Island earnt the knickname 'Heartbreak Island' and 'Island of Tears'.
Eventually those heady days of promise and welcome had to end.
And end it did in 1924 with the introduction of the Immigration Act, which in particular banned all immigrants from Asia and reduced the amount of people to 2% of the number of people from that country that were already living in the USA allowed in.
Ellis as a result fell to the demise of internment and deportation camp status.
Meaning that the statue of liberty should have been shrouded in black from that point onwards, but obviously this was never considered.
Today it is as hard to get onto Liberty and Ellis Island as it was after 1924.
The rigorous screening process takes place inside a make-shift camp next to the pier where you board the tour boat to take you there.
There is little sense of what awaits you whilst you queue, except for the signs which read "airport style security checking inside".
In my shock at entering the 4th ring of hell I thought it would be interesting to take a photo.
This is the conversation that ensued:
NYPD or generic security or military "Maam you must delete your photo"
KW "why ?"
NYPD (voice raised and agitated) "Maam step to one side and delete your photo now"
KW "I didn't realise it was illegal"
NYPD (pointing her finger to a sign behind her head prohibiting the use of photocameras etc)
KW "okay, sorry I didn't see the sign but still I would like to know why before I delete my image"
NYPD (getting really visibly angry now) "what do you mean why, you can't ask me why"
KW "surely asking why isn't illegal yet, is it ?"
NYPD (on her walkie talkie) "calling units ..... we have a situation here"
Other police/security/military types show up and surround me.
KW "I am completely willing to abide the law and delete my picture, it was a genuine mistake, I didn't see the signs, but I still would like to know why. Before I comply with a law I like to why I am doing it"
new NYPD officer "we just don't want anyone knowing our operations Maam, now delete your photo"
KW "okay I guess that makes sense for you, here its deleted"
I don't want to be accused of causing problems, but I did find myself in a situation where it is simple and easy to panic and do what you are told without thinking.
All I wanted was someone to make sense and give me a valid reason for the intensive screening and invasion of privacy that I was exposed to as a tourist...
In 1990 they turned Ellis Island into a Museum of Immigration.
The interactive aspect of the museum is a good experience.
The census bureau have made quite a comprehensive map of the variety of nationalites currently living in America; their immgrant history and percentages of varying nationalities in each state.
New York still beats them all in the mix up race though.
Day eleven - your names not on the list, your not coming in.
