In 1903, the poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus was engraved onto the base of the Statue of Liberty. You may not know the sonnet by name, but you know the its final lines:
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Despite the fact that the United States of America is a nation of immigrants, public opinion around welcoming them has been historically cool. In the video above, GOOD takes you on a tour of global catastrophes that have resulted massive swathes of displaced people, from World War II to the expansion of the Soviet Union following the rise to power of Nikita Khrushchev to the Sino-Vietnamese War and on to the Mariel Boatlift incident in Cuba. Then in the mid-1980s, sentiment about taking in refugees was measured at around the same time the Cartegna Declaration was signed to protect refugees in Latin America. Next comes the U.S. military invention in a civil conflict in Haiti that displaced thousands, and most recently the Syrian Civil War, which has resulted in literally millions of people seeking refuge across the globe.
Let’s hope millions of Americans never need to knock on international doors for aid, because we haven’t been paying very close attention to the Golden Rule throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
Music: NYM - Seven Hills
Produced and Written by Gabriel Reilich
Graphics by Jake Infusino
Say goodbye or make amends.Image via Canva - Photo by Inna Postnikova
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Wiman hiding her face behind a bunch of cashCanva
A mansion and its reflection in the swimming poolCanva
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Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.