Growing up, I never had any attachment to theater, musical or not. I listened to top 40s and the only soundtrack that had any value to was the one to "Shark Tale" (it was the first CD I owned, and yes, I still have it). I saw musicals as cheesy and unrelatable, and I never bothered trying to prove myself wrong.
My friend had been bothering me about listening to Hamilton for a solid several months before I gave in. I was on my way to a family reunion, and to anyone that's ever experienced a large family reunion knows that you need something to distract you at times. It was a three hour bus ride and a three hour soundtrack, so I figured "what the hell" and started listening.
It was a slow progression from “hey, this is pretty good” to “wow, I can’t stop listening” to “oh my god, actual tears are forming in my eyes” because I did cry from the soundtrack alone. Hamilton’s life is a very complicated story and three hours isn’t hardly enough to capture all, though Lin-Manuel Miranda does an excellent job .
Hamilton is so much more than good songs about our first treasury secretary. It's a story of resilience and standing up for what you believe in, about knowing when you messed up and trying your best to fix it. Hamilton was by all means not the greatest guy to ever live, and he made some pretty terrible political decisions despite how good the songs were that covered them up. But the message the songs send is something I'll always cherish.
A weakness of mine has always been my courage, or lack thereof. I am hesitant to try new things and speak out--until you get to know me, then I won't shut up. Hamilton shared no such weakness, when he had an idea he spoke out and revolutionized our country. Lin Manuel Miranda captures the beauty of Hamilton's spirit through a three hour soundtrack well worth listening to.
In 2017 I want to follow in Hamilton's footsteps. The infidelity and rash decisions I will perhaps not listen to, but rather the courage to make the first move. To be outgoing and say hi to someone new in my class or join a club or something as small as trying a new food. I want to be as determined as Laurens, as bold as Hamilton, as patient as Burr, as cunning as Jefferson and as rational as George Washington. I want to be as fearless as Angelica Schuyler and compassionate as her sister Eliza.
Listening to Hamilton may not resonate with you as strongly as it did with me, and you might not be inspired to go out and change our political system, but I implore you to stand up for what you know is right in the face of political oppression. 2017 may hold turbulent political times as they did in Hamilton’s era, and we all need to remember that even if people say we’re crazy for being outspoken it will be valuable. Do not throw away your shot.
