CASEP Leadership LLC (CLLLC) was invited to see James M. Nederlander Theatre’s production of “Hamilton”, a musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda about the life of our founding father, Alexander Hamilton. This musical relates to our modern times, specifically to the importance of being on the right side of history, women’s rights, the treatment of immigrants in America, and having to choose between the lesser of two evils, which ring true to this day.

“Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?” We can only hope that someone tells the story of our legacy, yet we have seen damaging legacies that leave a trail of hurt. An example of this negative legacy can be seen in the many Confederate monuments that embody the hate that they had for certain groups of people. Though most Americans now recognize their legacy was left on the wrong side of history, their presence is still damaging. For example, Ron Desantis is leaving the same legacy. He will be remembered for signing a bill that allows healthcare professionals to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ individuals. He will forever be on the wrong side of history, just like those who take away reproductive rights for women.

“And when I meet Thomas Jefferson, I’ma compel him to include women in the sequel” Angelica Schuyler sang in “The Schuyler Sisters.” It took 172 years past then for women to be able to fight in a war, and now there’s a fight for their bodies. Fourteen states have a full abortion ban. What happens if someone was raped in those states? Well, they will have to carry that reminder of the traumatic event, not because the politicians believe that that’s a living being, but because that’s how they get voted in by people who think it is. The fact is that it is just a clump of cells that is not sentient.

The Schuyler Sisters in the Chicago production even sang at the women’s march in Chicago in 2017. In addition to pointing the spotlight on these oppressive systems they also show the double standards for women, expected to stay with their cheating husbands while being called a “slut” if they do the same. This may no longer be the case, but it is still one of the expectations women carry on their shoulders due to historically inequitable conditions.

“Hamilton” is about an immigrant who works harder than most of his friends had to, which is often the case to this day. The one thing I hear a lot from conservative politicians is that immigrants “take all the American jobs.” 

Other people disagree, like J. Daniel Kim, an assistant professor of management at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He was interviewed by the Wharton Business Daily radio show, saying “That is completely false since immigrants hold “25% of patents [in America] and are more likely to get degrees in STEM”. He went on to say “That’s the main takeaway here, that immigrants in the U.S. create a lot more jobs than they take, primarily because many are prone to starting businesses that go on to create a lot of jobs.” Immigrants work hard to get where they are here in America, while those who are born here are often handed much of what they need.

This year those who can vote will have to vote between Joseph Biden, who is sending money to fund a genocide and contributing to global warming, or Donald J. Trump, who wants to “terminate” the constitution and plans for mass deportations if he is elected into office. Neither of these options sounds good. These people are awful, but we are at the point as civilians where we have to vote for which one will do less damage to America.

It’s like how Hamilton had to choose between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr: both horrible people in his opinion. Having to choose between someone he morally disapproves of who ruins his life or the man who later kills him in a duel. Right now, it feels like I’m choosing between someone who will make all of our lives significantly harder or a cult leader.

There is a commonality between what’s happening now and the musical. This musical goes beyond relating to their rights but reflects the impact of laws on your rights, and my rights that we should all fight for what we believe in and make our voices heard. Some people may not be able to fight for themselves, so we must come together to fight for them, and for ourselves. Unfortunately, we must fight for basic human rights, but it is necessary to make a positive difference in this country and this world.

As sung in “Hamilton.”

“Legacy. What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.   I wrote some notes at the beginning of a song someone will sing for me.”