If you haven't been living under a rock this past year, you most likely have heard of the new Broadway musical, "Hamilton," starring and created by Lin Manuel Miranda. "Hamilton" is a new-age hip hop musical inspired by Ron Chernow's biography of the life of the founding father, Alexander Hamilton (the guy on the $10). It's powered by a cast that reflects the modern-day American demographic, using actors of color to portray the original Founding Fathers. The album (available on Spotify) is nothing short of a work of art.
The lyrics of this show are igniting and inspiring beyond measure. Raw integrity and passion seem to be key ingredients lacking in the 2016 presidential candidates and I think its time we deserve to see it. Each candidate could learn a thing or two from the musical whose power comes from the drive of the Founding Fathers and their desire to sacrifice everything to build and run a nation. But since some members may never see the show (Donald Trump), here's a neat little list of quotes the candidates can take to heart before opening their mouths in future debates (or, God forbid, run the country).
1. "Talk less. Smile more."
2. "If you stand for nothing, Burr, what'll you fall for?"
3. "I got a lot of brains, but no polish!"
4. "And when I meet Thomas Jefferson… I’ma compel him to include women in the sequel. Work!"
I think it's sequel time, America.
5. "I will lay down my life if it sets us free."
6. "I may not live to see our glory but I will gladly join the fight."
7. "Immigrants: we get the job done."
Are you reading this, Mr. Trump?
8. "But we’ll never be truly free until those in bondage have the same rights as you and me."
9. "Are we a nation of states? What's the state of our nation?"
10. "Look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now."
11. "You have no control: who lives, who dies, who tells your story?"
12. "Love doesn't discriminate."
13. "Death doesn't discriminate."
14. "Dying is easy, young man. Living is harder."
15. "What is a legacy? It's planting a seed in a garden you never get to see."
16. "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."
Again, Mr. Trump.
17. "History has its eyes on you."
18. "Winning was easy, young man. Governing is harder."
19. "If I say goodbye, the nation learns how to move on. It outlives me when I'm gone."
If the candidates of the 2016 presidential elections could be half as admirable as the original Founding Fathers of America then maybe our country stands a chance at making a comeback.
