Hamilton Star: “Immigrants Get the Job Done”

Hamilton Star: “Immigrants Get the Job Done”

The creator of the Pulitzer-Prize winning smash hit Broadway musical Hamilton has some powerful words about the immense value of immigrants in American society.

During a memorable and stirring commencement speech at the University of Pennsylvania on May 16, Lin-Manuel Miranda reminded everyone that immigrants are the backbone of Hamilton (the hiphop-infused story of Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father and creator of America’s modern financial system) and the entire country.

…since the beginning of the great, unfinished symphony that is our American experiment, time and time again, immigrants get the job done.”

Hamilton Star: “Immigrants Get the Job Done”
Lin-Manuel Miranda

“In a year when politicians traffic in anti-immigrant rhetoric,” Miranda said, “there is also a Broadway musical reminding us that a broke, orphan immigrant from the West Indies built our financial system.”

“I know that many of you made miracles happen to get to this day,” he told the graduates. “I know that parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, and family behind you made miracles happen to be here. I know because my family made miracles happen for me to be standing here talking to you, telling stories. Your stories are essential. [The Hamilton] story reminds us that since the beginning of the great, unfinished symphony that is our American experiment, time and time again, immigrants get the job done.”

Miranda, who received a standing ovation for his speech, was awarded with a much-deserved honorary Doctor of Arts at the ceremony. In April, Hamilton became the ninth musical in the Pulitzer’s 100-year history to win this award after Next to Normal in 2010 and Rent in 1996.

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