John Beecher was a poet, activist, and teacher. Pete Seeger called him "the greatest protest poet America ever produced." John was at the forefront of the labor rights movement of the early 1900s and was decades ahead of his time as a civil right activist. He also happened to be the Commissioner's grandfather. Because he was blacklisted in the 1950s, John's incredibly powerful poetry has largely been forgotten...but not by us....
The lifted lamp is guttering, near spent its fuel. Double-barred the golden door which, when it opens, opens on a chain. Where throngs poured through, police interrogate each refugee: admitting but the few who pass security and kiss the Book.
Would Juarez get a visa from the State Department? Would the FBI clear Dvorak? Deport the New World Symphony! Marti, the Cuban foe of Imperialism? Lorca, the anti-fascist poet? These men were all subversive as in earlier times Tom Payne, Pulaski, Lafayette. The authorities would surely bar such Undesirables.
