"Immigrants, we get the job done!"
This line was made popular by 2015 smash Broadway hit, Hamilton. This line appears only once, and about 20 seconds into the song, Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down).
If it was said only once, then why does this line, out of thousands more, mean so much to viewers?
America was built by immigrants. Our Founding Fathers came from England, and so many around the world followed them.
America is built on the blood, sweat and tears of immigrants.
If that's true, then why do we fear that word so much?
Before you go on saying that "you don't fear it," let me tell you a little fact: According to American Progress, the fear of immigrants is one of the highest fears in America.
Why? Without immigrants we wouldn't have the America we know and love today.
Joseph Pulitzer immigrated from Hungary. Because of him, not only do we have the Pulitzer Prize, but thanks the Statue of Liberty had a place to stand.
Madeleine Albright, our first woman Secretary of State came from the Czech Republic. Arianna Huffington, the founder of the Huffington Post, immigrated from Greece.
These are just a few immigrants who have made significant impacts on the United States.
Sure, it is a big shoe to fill – to change America – but it's worth a try.
That's what Lin-Manuel Miranda is doing. He's trying to change the way we look and think about the word "immigrant." He has partnered up with The Hispanic Federation and founded the Immigrants: We Get The Job Done Coalition.
This coalition will provide life-changing support to immigrants and refugees.
To help raise awareness for it, he has started a Prizeo competition. With this, a donation of $10 gets you a 100 entries with the grand prize being two tickets for opening night of Hamilton in Los Angeles and so much more.
Even if you don't want to donate, that's fine. He also has an ice bucket-esque challenge for you. Naturally, I am challenging ALL who read this to participate. Groups can do it and so can just a simple solo.
It's called the #Ham4All challenge. Record yourself singing, or lip syncing, to a Hamilton song and post it on social media with the hashtag. Simple enough!
Let's try and rewire our brains on the word immigrant.
It's not a bad word, I promise.
We all came from somewhere. We were all immigrants at one point. If you fail to take anything away from this, just remember a simple phrase.
Immigrants, we get the job done.
