I HESITATE...

I hesitate to post anything today on my blog as the past weekend murders in Pittsburgh need time for us to really think about who we are as a country, where we are going and what kind of society we will be leaving for future generations... That's a lot to ponder but also important before rushing to any decisions.

I have a couple of entries which need polishing but are really relevant to what is happening around us. So there will be entries this week re:  the Southern Poverty Law Center's speaker Lecia Brooks talk- When Hate is Close to Home just given to our community last week and also the Witness For Peace program I attended last Friday. 

Yesterday in Milwaukee we attended  In the Heights, a musical I saw on Broadway a decade ago right before it became Lin Manuel Miranda's first Tony for Best New Musical. The play is about Washington Heights, a latino community in New York. One hears the immigrants' story of coming to this country, why they left for a better world, the struggles faced as new immigrants and their futures. 

It'd be nice if we all could see it because we have forgotten how this country was/is a beacon of hope for peoples all over the world. 

A pre-play presentation about the play's history was given by one of the actors, a young Texan actor whose descent is Polish on his father's side and a mother with Mexican roots. Graduating from the U of Texas in Austin in theatre arts, he had only had the opportunity playing parts representing the white side of his heritage and was very excited to have this opportunity In the Heights to act as a latino character, his Latino side. In fact, not only were many of the actors in this troupe  of latino descent but so is the writer.  Lin Manuel Miranda's family is  Puerto Rican and he is presently working towards bringing Hamilton as a fundraiser for the Cultural Arts community after the hurricane's destruction and rebuilding. Residents will be able to attend a Broadway musical for free. 

*Fact given at the pretalk: In the decade since I first saw In the Heights, the latino community in Milwaukee has grown 213%.

Timely, yes and perhaps our memories can be jolted as to what has made our country great... We are a land of immigrants, we shouldn't have to be reminded.