Finally saw Hamilton yesterday. And I just really, really wish that all that talent and art was centered around a BIPOC figure/experience. Sigh...

I may need to share more because I woke up mad at the whole thing.

There are so many things I loved about it: the music, artistry, performances were incredible.

I also appreciate the way people are finding connections between the play—and its calling forth of a revolutionary spirit—and the need to address injustices today.

AND...

Reading/learning more about Hamilton the man after watching Hamilton the musical brought up a different connection to today, especially this piece: https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/07/03/hamilton-slavery-washington-jefferson/

Some key excerpts:

“With Black Lives Matter rising and statues of white slave owners falling, it might feel good to watch “Hamilton” and think of an ethnically diverse, hip-hop past. The reality, of course, was way more complicated...”

“Hamilton was known to despise slavery, but he also really liked having influential friends.”

‘He was not an abolitionist... Opposing slavery was never at the forefront of his agenda.’”

“No, climbing the ladder was always at the top of Hamilton’s agenda. His relationship with Washington, his marriage into the wealthy Schuyler family, his slaveholding friends — all advanced him socially while requiring him to turn his head from the toughest issue of the day.”

I wonder how many ppl—especially White ppl—are making the same calcution that Hamilton did.

How many ppl may disagree/oppose racism privately but not speak up or push back hard if it means it costs them the power they have/want.

Is that a lesson we’re taking away from Hamilton?

And if this internal moral dilemma on the issue of slavery was really central to Hamilton the man, it seems a lost opportunity (at best) not to explore that.

Also, the issues re: the “founding” of a country that makes no mention of the Indigenous ppls already here? Well...