Marisol Adame, Guest Contributor • July 21, 2020
On July 3rd,the most coveted Broadway seats became available for everyone at home through the Disney+ streaming service.
Written and composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Hamilton” premiered off-Broadway in 2015 and thefilm was recorded in 2016 with the original cast.Themusical tells the story ofthe Founding Fathers of America, Alexander Hamilton.This story is not just aboutrevolutionbut it is a revolution itself. Its use of hip-hop, rap,rhythmand blues as part of the musical, along with the inclusiveness of its cast, is what sets this Broadway show apartfrom others. “Hamilton” hasa significant cultural impact because it is the story of how America looked years ago represented by how America looks like today.
“Hamilton”introduces an immigrant narrative, which I had not seen in a Broadway show before, much less in this very distinctive way withavery inclusive cast.
The character of Alexander Hamilton isidentifiedas an immigrant not only because he had to travel to this country to start anew but also because he had to work harder than most to get far in life.
“Hamilton”tells the story of flawed characters, each going through different paths but all of themseekingto leave their own mark and their legacy behind.
“Hamilton”resonated years back with so many because it gave representation to people of color,immigrantsand women.
Now, seeing it on film, I believe that “Hamilton”representsand transcends its message ina very differentmanner.
Art is always a tool for us to spark up conversationregardingwhat is going on around us at the time. As mentioned in several interviews by the creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and the director ThomasKail, one of the mainobjectivesbehind this show is to help people probe and question many aspects around them. Because of the time the film was released, “Hamilton” can now be a symbol of all the pain our country and our world are going through.
Here are these four friends, Hamilton, Laurens, Mulligan and Lafayette, who are young and eager to spark up a revolution. They seem to mirror all the young people out there currently marching down the streets wanting their voices to be heard and demanding change.
“Hamilton” also speaks about whether the world is wide enough for all of us with different stances and beliefs to live and thrive in.
Itisa story that speaks about legacy and what we want it to be for our future generations and what path are we willing to take to make that possible.
After I finished watching the film, I had a different feeling I had from when I listened to the soundtrack countless times or even seeing it live a year back.
I got a sense of pride of the country that I was seeing being foundedby these flawed characters who gave their all for the next generations.
However, I also felt a bit ofheartacheknowing what the current state of our country is.DaveedDiggs, the actor who plays Lafayette and Jefferson, addressed this similar feeling and concern in an interview with Robin Roberts. He said how “Hamilton”serves as an inspiration for our country hementioned that “ now is a good time to examine the show as an example of how to hold your country accountable and to start demanding the change you need to see.”
I found those words to be equally resonating as the film itself. “Hamilton”made me realize that I now have a responsibility to make the America that exists on that stage,becomeareality.
I feel the story and the lyricsreverberatein me because I see how young people arerising up, going out on thestreetsor calling out to action through their social media, or justhelpingin any way they can.
Whetherit is through the Black Lives Matter movement or by advocating rights for dreamers and immigrants, to stop violence against women, or so many socialjusticecauses, I see a nation that can reflect the America I saw in “Hamilton.”
This isa storyabout legacy, dreams, passion,courageand the representation of the journey of those who are willing to give it all torise upeven when the odds are against them, can beseen.
Amid chaos, loss, pain, confusion and so much uncertainty,“Hamilton”can help us reflect on what journey we will embark in the future that, now more than ever, is changing at a quick pace. History has its eyes on us; let us not throw away our shot at this New World that we are building.
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