THREAD: Now that it's a week since #Hamiltonfilm came out -- can I just say that after watching it three times and digging into it -- that it is perhaps one of the most overrated Broadway musicals of all time.
Before we dive into the ahistorical elements, quality wise, it's a 7.
Before we dive into the ahistorical elements, quality wise, it's a 7.
So the "good things": The performances by its supporting cast and ensemble is strong. The cast can sing, dance, and their costumes are appealing.
The energy and enthusiasm is there, but the concept is where things go South. Many have spoken on this, but watching it stung.
The energy and enthusiasm is there, but the concept is where things go South. Many have spoken on this, but watching it stung.
If Lin understands the origins of hip-hop, there is no way he could have thought this was ok. As a non-Black person of color, he completely drops the ball here.
Conflating Black music with an American Dream narrative that is rooted in slavery is not just wrong, but fucked up.
Conflating Black music with an American Dream narrative that is rooted in slavery is not just wrong, but fucked up.
It's hard to separate the story of Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Aaron Burr without centering slavery. They literally built their wealth and political power on such oppression in general.
Making Hamilton an immigrant success story is intellectually dishonest.
Making Hamilton an immigrant success story is intellectually dishonest.
I think one of the most heartless and gutless devices that distract people from seeing #Hamilton as not only an ahistorical musical, but a violent appropriation of hip-hop is that it uses the diversity of its cast as a distraction from the problematic narrative it puts on stage.
You aren't supposed to "bash Hamilton" because you see so many talented Black and brown performers sing and rap their hearts out on that stage.
Yes, they deserve their Tonys and roses. But they literally had to divorce themselves from reality in order to do so.
Yes, they deserve their Tonys and roses. But they literally had to divorce themselves from reality in order to do so.
It says something that Black actors finally got a big break on Broadway fanboying slave owners.
It says something that the first time the Broadway truly appreciated rapping in musicals involved a non-Black creator.
It says something about how "diversity" can be weaponized.
It says something that the first time the Broadway truly appreciated rapping in musicals involved a non-Black creator.
It says something about how "diversity" can be weaponized.
The truth of the matter is that #Hamilton is glorified, well-dressed, performed trash.
Gorgeous gowns, beautiful gowns -- but a message that erases true Black history and trauma to appeal to the masses.
Gorgeous gowns, beautiful gowns -- but a message that erases true Black history and trauma to appeal to the masses.
The most painful thing about it all is that a generation of Black and brown children are going to rapping lyrics to songs that make slave owners seem cool.
I had to tell my little brother that George Washington wasn't as woke or deep as they made him in Hamilton.
I had to tell my little brother that George Washington wasn't as woke or deep as they made him in Hamilton.
If there is anything to be learned here, I hope that it reminds us as cultural critics, writers, and consumers to not let aesthetic diversity stop us from challenging creators who produce content that makes light of our history in dangerous ways.
