In the past year our nation watched an unprecedented election unfold, and to say the least things became very polarized. The rhetoric that our leaders use to address domestic and foreign affairs need to be selected with caution, and Americans should be wary of falling into an “Us vs. Them” mindset that some leaders put forth. With so much internal conflict and heated debate over what is right for our country, sometimes it's helpful to take a step back to put everything in perspective. While everyone claims a different political party and platform and makes their decisions accordingly, almost everyone does this to meet the same ends: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Writer, composer, playwright, and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda has achieved countless milestones in his career including writing for Bring It On: The Musical, In the Heights, and working on various Disney movies, but his most prominent work is without a doubt Hamilton.

Lin-Manuel read Alexander Hamilton’s biography during the summer of 2008, and inspired by his reading, Lin Manuel began work on Hamilton a musical. Hamilton follows the outcome of the American Revolution and formation of our government through the eyes of the underdog founding father, Alexander Hamilton.

One of the main ideas in this musical is a key tenet of the America value system, which is that every person deserves to be equal without qualification. At the end of Hamilton’s life, in the musical, he says “America, you great unfinished symphony, you sent for me. You let me make a difference, a place where even orphan immigrants can leave their fingerprints and rise up." We may always take it for granted, but this nation was founded by immigrants. In the song “The World Turned Upside Down," Hamilton and Marquis de Lafayette say to each other, “Immigrants, we get the job done” before parting ways.

Aaron Burr was Hamilton's friend, but often a political rival. Burr embodies the urge to have a say in government that is so deeply embedded in American beliefs. Burr was sick of secret deals being made in the government and the song “The Room Where It Happens” is a critique of government secrecy.

When it came time for President Washington to retire, he gave an iconic farewell address that served as a warning for future decisions as well as a reminder of the founding principles of the United States. The musical closely follows the actual address, and even takes many lines from the document itself. The first president left office with the hopes that people could live happily and at peace as he says, “And no one shall make them afraid. They'll be safe in the nation we've made”.

Despite political turmoil, sometimes it takes a work of art like Hamilton to remind us that regardless of political stances, everyone wants to feel safe, happy, and free. From scandal to outrage, we need to remember to be grateful to live under a democratic government that engenders freedom for everyone regardless of their beginnings.