I have for a long time wanted to contribute with some news from abroad. But every day there is a new political crazy happening in the USA that takes all the attention. I don't understand how you can digest more. Honour to Heather who is able to make sense out of the many outrageous statements, political moves and decisions.
Norway was last month voted in as a member of the UN Security Council. USA and four other important countries are permanent members. Norway hopes to be an uncompromising and persistent voice for peace, climate, democracy and human rights. Hopefully we can be a voice for all people who have suffered injustice too long, the uighurs, the rohingya, the curds, the palestinians to mention a few. For a small country it is a honour and an opportunity to be a member of the Security Council that far exceeds the international importance of the country. A small country are undoubtedly dependent on the regulations by international bodies and treaties. The consequences of an “America First” or “Russia First” doctrine may be devastating for our security, economy, and prospects.
BUT, there is a big BUT, how can a small country, totally dependent on international order and recognition, exercise an active role and maintain credibility in the Security Council? How can we speak up for justice with a thin-skin and revengeful Trump in the WH? How can Norway act not to make Putin angry or make Xi Jingpin retaliate? It will be a tip-toe dance among all the cynismen that characterize the Security Council.
Last time we were in the Security Council our assignment ended three months before the Iraq war. Thanks heaven that we were not in a position where President Bush could have demanded Norway to fall in line with this fatally bad decision. It would have been a dilemma too difficult for a small nation dependent on USA for their own security.
Norway are your best friend and closest allied nation. We are grateful for your friendship and all America means to us, but our political day is very far removed from the policies of Trump. That can be a problem in the Security Council.
We need USA to leave the isolationist track and regain the position as the world’s leading democracy and human rights advocate. You can help us, and the world, by voting blue this fall.
Thank you so much for writing here. I was born in England, have spent many years traveling the world and always love to hear opinions from other countries relative to the US. Americans tend to think "it's all about us", failing to understand that we are all part of the global picture.
Unfortunately, that is the picture the world has formed of Americans. but we are not all like that. I guess it the the "squeaky wheel" syndrome...if you make a lot of noise (Trump) that is what is seen around the world as your philosophy. Very sad. Norway, I hope your voice will be heard in the UN Security Council! Delicate position to be in!
Thank you! It's good to hear from someone not American. We are so wrapped up in all of this, that we forget others are watching as well. Norway. I can't say I've ever had a bad thought in my life about your country. I did not know you were voted in on the UN Security Council. I do believe your country will navigate the waters well. We need a calming voice. Again, thank you!
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful perspective. Your comments are enlightening. It's important for Americans to be aware of how our actions affect the rest of the world. May I share your post on my facebook page? If so, do you prefer that I share it with or without your name?
Seems to me Norway should be a permanent member of the Security Council - and not just because I am descended from a proud line of Norwegian immigrants to the US. Level heads are sorely needed! Thank you for having faith in the American people in all their diversity, and not our current 'leader'. We will come through this, we *must* come through this, and we'll be better world citizens than we ever were before. Tusen takk!
I saw it the night of Obama's final speech in office, in January 2017, and remember absolutely weeping while Washington sang "One Last Time" which I'm pretty sure was happening at the exact same moment as the speech, a little after 9:00. Cried again watching it on Disney+ this weekend for a variety of reasons, most surprisingly because I didn't realize how deeply I was missing the sound of people cheering together in a theatre. And I'm just so thrilled that this story can be seen by so many people right now at this transformative time in history. Rise up.
I couldn't agree more! I think all of us "in the room where it happened " had tears in our eyes watching HAMILTON Friday night with my son, his wife, our two grandchildren and my husband so totally invested in the show as well as the impact of seeing it now on July 3rd 2020.
Indeed. It's an experience like no other. If you get the chance, look up the video of when Lin-Manuel Miranda first performed it at the Whitehouse in 2009. His earnest joy, and President Obama's appreciation, were heartwarming and refreshing. Take care of yourself. Your spirit, intelligence, and honesty keep me afloat many days. I hope your work brings you joy along with the exhaustion. 😊
I found that video this weekend and loved the Obama's expressions as they watched Lin-Manuel perform that song. It made me cry. I was fortunate to see the show on Broadway but it went by too quickly, and now we have the film which my grandchildren can now see!
Better still, find an old Daily Show clip from 2009 about Old Man Stewart Shakes His Fist at White House Poetry Jams. See, the Obamas started hosting poetry and literary evenings but... poetry? And the show a clip of a woman doing fairly standard slam stuff, another musical bit and then.... there's this guy? Doing hip-hop about ALEXANDER HAMILTON!?!? What kind of nonsense is that!
The clip has not aged well, which makes it almost painfully hilarious.
I watched Hamilton with a zoom group of 400 people, all races. Afterwards 300 remained for the conversation. I listened and learned that some Blacks, despite the beauty of it, feel that the play whitewashes the history of slavery, and they were uncomfortable with Blacks playing the roles of slaveowners and sex traffickers. I didn’t know that.
What was also eye-opening was watching the defensive white-plaining in reaction to Blacks sharing their feelings. I ended up in a private chat with another white woman who got it too. I’m so thankful I’m learning to keep my mouth shut and listen.
This is all great for discussion. 1, White-plaining, White guilt, White fragility.
2, The White denigration and fear of Black emotions.
3, Is Hamilton whitewashed? Or is it based on the real attitude of the white men at the time, that enslaving Black people was not even debatable, in which case, the topic of slavery would not be pivotal to the play. How might either position (whitewashed versus real attitude) relate to current white attitudes of “all lives matter” and “racism is all in the past,” etc., and also to current black emotions around continued oppression by whites?
Really interesting to hear that reaction. I recall my initial reaction to the “gimmicks” of having non-white cast members playing the Founding Fathers and also of the use of hip-hop/rap in a musical and it turning me off initially. (I say “gimmicks” in quotes because that was how I recall media coverage characterizing it at the time...) It felt a bit too “cute” from my perspective as a way of changing up our history. Then I listened to the soundtrack and was (ahem) blown away. It was/is such a tremendous artistic achievement, I’d urge everyone who has stopped at the door wondering what to think of Hamilton to simply enter and experience it. I was so wrong to judge it or assume I could assess its intentions based on the buzz about it. (I wrote a blog about Hamilton’s narrative structure here if anyone is interested. https://orangefiery.com/2017/01/11/hamilton-and-the-power-of-narrative/ )
Anyway, it does not surprise me that some (many?) Black Americans would have complicated feelings about the musical, as I’m sure they have complicated feelings about America’s story in general. Feels like a good moment for all of us to be listening to the depth of their feelings and experience. Why shouldn’t Blacks and other non-whites feel chagrined at Hamilton’s success, when it shows we’ve spent 244+ years not dealing with the depth of slavery’s impact on our society.
To answer your question from my (white) vantage point, I don’t believe Hamilton is whitewashed. I think it tells a complex story about historic attitudes about slavery and gives a few nods to the irony and sadness of fighting for freedom while enslaving a people. As for how it relates to attitudes of today, I think for many Americans, Hamilton should serve as a reminder of our founding values of freedom and liberty. And as Heather wrote on July 3, how we have an obligation to continuously take stock of how we are doing in achieving those values. But it makes our current situation feel like unfinished business in terms of racial justice. It is hard, as a white man, to know what it must feel like to be Black in American society. I think white America has failed Blacks in so many ways, it bears more similarities to the American colonies’ exploitation by mother Britain than we tend to acknowledge. The oppression you describe isn’t (just) individual whites doIng violence to individual Blacks, it is systemic and entrenched around education, housing, healthcare and criminal justice that perpetuate poverty, violence and segregation. In other words, everything.
As for white attitudes of “all lives matter,” I really don’t get it. Look at the evidence. Black Americans have unequal outcomes in every sector of society. It’s well past time we did more to eradicate racism from our society and culture.
So interesting - having a similar conversation with friends of color in the theatre community, they (collectively) love the casting, and understand it as being a metaphor for how relevant this story is right now, that it parallels the current fight that BIPOC are in to rise up above their oppressors. Less about literally playing George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and more about the idea of the underdog rising up to fight for what's right, and the use of hip-hop further emphases that parallel. This is a very current story, even if it's about the late 18th century.
Need to reply to myself to add that I find it fascinating that John Laurens' fight against slavery is repeatedly mentioned throughout the show. LMM didn't need to do that, and I thought it was really telling that it's such a big part of Laurens' storyline, and his relationship with Hamilton. (At least within the context of the musical.)
Please. Your post from yesterday was worthy of a week (or more). I worry that finally telling the truth about our history is being interpreted by the GOP and, more likely, Trump as teaching our children to “hate” our country. Looking forward to hearing more from you this week. Rest up.
tRump hates "our" country and he is upset that so many are standing up to and calling out the hatred of HIS traditional country and the inequality that has plagued it unabated for so long.
The best money I spent this year was on the subscription to this fine community and Disney+ so that I could watch Hamilton. I loved it. Looking forward to watching it over and over again.
Feel the same way about Hamilton. Pure genius on so many levels. If you have not heard it, check out a song This American Life asked Anna Bareilles to write about what Barack Obama must have felt but did not say about the 2016 election. Leslie Odom, Jr. brings it to magnificent life. The song is called "Seriously." To me this song as performed by Odom, who won the Tony for playing Burr in Hamilton, brings what moves us in this play right up to the present day.
Watched it yesterday - seemed fitting to watch it on the 4th. And I’ll watch it again. Such an amazing production with the original cast, which I never got to see. I did get the chance to see the touring company performance last year - and I’ll see that again when I get the chance.
Among all the other issues to cover, we still have the Me Too movement.
You may have missed this piece from The Guardian in March on March 14, 2020 because of the growing need for Covid-19 coverage. It doesn't implicate Trump directly as an abuser, but it does reiterate that Trump "denies in the strongest possible terms” being friends with the likes of John Casablancas and all the other men who were caught up in the modelling business.
It's worth taking a look: It describes what I call a sleaze culture. And there is Trump, all around it:
IMHO, they're all of a piece: John Casablancas, Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump, Roger Ailes, Harvey Weinstein, Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, etc., opportunists wielding status, power and hidden agendas to indulge their hidden desires. Birds of a feather. Like energy attracts like energy.
So much depends on what happens next with the Ghislaine Maxwell indictments. And when Michael Cohen's book when it comes out. And Mary Trump's book. And Trump's tax returns (which may be indicators of other payoffs besides Stormy Daniels).
I'd like to think that "what is concealed shall be revealed," but is there enough space and time to get to it all -- for once and for all? It would be a tragedy for posterity, enlightenment and human advancement if it just goes away.
every morning I wake up have coffee and sit down to read your daily letter. Did you ever imagine you would be the guiding light we all need right now ? Your precise and concise letters are all I need to help navigate these uncharted waters. The rest of the day I have to give my heart a rest. Thank you Heather.
I am so glad that you watched it and took a night off from writing. I "ugly cried" at the end. Not just because of the emotional scene and message, but because these days my emotions are so near the surface that it doesn't take much to make me cry. Mentioned to my doctor that I was having trouble sleeping and he said to try and get rid of the stress. Yeah, right! Not sure what will help with that but I know that Buddy's photos that Heather occasionally posts certainly help bring some calm. Thank you...for everything.
I have for a long time wanted to contribute with some news from abroad. But every day there is a new political crazy happening in the USA that takes all the attention. I don't understand how you can digest more. Honour to Heather who is able to make sense out of the many outrageous statements, political moves and decisions.
Norway was last month voted in as a member of the UN Security Council. USA and four other important countries are permanent members. Norway hopes to be an uncompromising and persistent voice for peace, climate, democracy and human rights. Hopefully we can be a voice for all people who have suffered injustice too long, the uighurs, the rohingya, the curds, the palestinians to mention a few. For a small country it is a honour and an opportunity to be a member of the Security Council that far exceeds the international importance of the country. A small country are undoubtedly dependent on the regulations by international bodies and treaties. The consequences of an “America First” or “Russia First” doctrine may be devastating for our security, economy, and prospects.
BUT, there is a big BUT, how can a small country, totally dependent on international order and recognition, exercise an active role and maintain credibility in the Security Council? How can we speak up for justice with a thin-skin and revengeful Trump in the WH? How can Norway act not to make Putin angry or make Xi Jingpin retaliate? It will be a tip-toe dance among all the cynismen that characterize the Security Council.
Last time we were in the Security Council our assignment ended three months before the Iraq war. Thanks heaven that we were not in a position where President Bush could have demanded Norway to fall in line with this fatally bad decision. It would have been a dilemma too difficult for a small nation dependent on USA for their own security.
Norway are your best friend and closest allied nation. We are grateful for your friendship and all America means to us, but our political day is very far removed from the policies of Trump. That can be a problem in the Security Council.
We need USA to leave the isolationist track and regain the position as the world’s leading democracy and human rights advocate. You can help us, and the world, by voting blue this fall.
Thank you so much for writing here. I was born in England, have spent many years traveling the world and always love to hear opinions from other countries relative to the US. Americans tend to think "it's all about us", failing to understand that we are all part of the global picture.
Unfortunately, that is the picture the world has formed of Americans. but we are not all like that. I guess it the the "squeaky wheel" syndrome...if you make a lot of noise (Trump) that is what is seen around the world as your philosophy. Very sad. Norway, I hope your voice will be heard in the UN Security Council! Delicate position to be in!
Thank you! It's good to hear from someone not American. We are so wrapped up in all of this, that we forget others are watching as well. Norway. I can't say I've ever had a bad thought in my life about your country. I did not know you were voted in on the UN Security Council. I do believe your country will navigate the waters well. We need a calming voice. Again, thank you!
Sending positive thoughts that Norway can make a different on the Security Council.
I do too!
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful perspective. Your comments are enlightening. It's important for Americans to be aware of how our actions affect the rest of the world. May I share your post on my facebook page? If so, do you prefer that I share it with or without your name?
OK and thanks.
Great! Should I include your name as the author of the post--or do you prefer to be anonymous?
Do as you please, either is OK with me. Thanks!
Ok!
Seems to me Norway should be a permanent member of the Security Council - and not just because I am descended from a proud line of Norwegian immigrants to the US. Level heads are sorely needed! Thank you for having faith in the American people in all their diversity, and not our current 'leader'. We will come through this, we *must* come through this, and we'll be better world citizens than we ever were before. Tusen takk!
I saw it the night of Obama's final speech in office, in January 2017, and remember absolutely weeping while Washington sang "One Last Time" which I'm pretty sure was happening at the exact same moment as the speech, a little after 9:00. Cried again watching it on Disney+ this weekend for a variety of reasons, most surprisingly because I didn't realize how deeply I was missing the sound of people cheering together in a theatre. And I'm just so thrilled that this story can be seen by so many people right now at this transformative time in history. Rise up.
I couldn't agree more! I think all of us "in the room where it happened " had tears in our eyes watching HAMILTON Friday night with my son, his wife, our two grandchildren and my husband so totally invested in the show as well as the impact of seeing it now on July 3rd 2020.
I agree that the timing for bringing the show to the masses is important to bring our history and early struggles to light. So relevant today.
Whitney Bischoff, I totally agree 😊
"One Last Time" is one of my favorites from Hamilton."
Laura Gosnell, I found it. It was stirring! Here's a link for the rest of the class😊https://youtu.be/wFEL_0UFgIs
Sharon: Thank you for this link. Laura was right.....tears.....We've lost so much, but we still have....November...a new beginning.
You are welcome 😊
I now strongly believe that all presidential debates should be in the form of a rap battle.
Jeanne Rucker Collins, you just gave me a visual that I will not get out of my head for at least a week.
Indeed. It's an experience like no other. If you get the chance, look up the video of when Lin-Manuel Miranda first performed it at the Whitehouse in 2009. His earnest joy, and President Obama's appreciation, were heartwarming and refreshing. Take care of yourself. Your spirit, intelligence, and honesty keep me afloat many days. I hope your work brings you joy along with the exhaustion. 😊
I found that video this weekend and loved the Obama's expressions as they watched Lin-Manuel perform that song. It made me cry. I was fortunate to see the show on Broadway but it went by too quickly, and now we have the film which my grandchildren can now see!
Better still, find an old Daily Show clip from 2009 about Old Man Stewart Shakes His Fist at White House Poetry Jams. See, the Obamas started hosting poetry and literary evenings but... poetry? And the show a clip of a woman doing fairly standard slam stuff, another musical bit and then.... there's this guy? Doing hip-hop about ALEXANDER HAMILTON!?!? What kind of nonsense is that!
The clip has not aged well, which makes it almost painfully hilarious.
+1. Agree. I just posted this.
I watched Hamilton with a zoom group of 400 people, all races. Afterwards 300 remained for the conversation. I listened and learned that some Blacks, despite the beauty of it, feel that the play whitewashes the history of slavery, and they were uncomfortable with Blacks playing the roles of slaveowners and sex traffickers. I didn’t know that.
What was also eye-opening was watching the defensive white-plaining in reaction to Blacks sharing their feelings. I ended up in a private chat with another white woman who got it too. I’m so thankful I’m learning to keep my mouth shut and listen.
This is all great for discussion. 1, White-plaining, White guilt, White fragility.
2, The White denigration and fear of Black emotions.
3, Is Hamilton whitewashed? Or is it based on the real attitude of the white men at the time, that enslaving Black people was not even debatable, in which case, the topic of slavery would not be pivotal to the play. How might either position (whitewashed versus real attitude) relate to current white attitudes of “all lives matter” and “racism is all in the past,” etc., and also to current black emotions around continued oppression by whites?
Really interesting to hear that reaction. I recall my initial reaction to the “gimmicks” of having non-white cast members playing the Founding Fathers and also of the use of hip-hop/rap in a musical and it turning me off initially. (I say “gimmicks” in quotes because that was how I recall media coverage characterizing it at the time...) It felt a bit too “cute” from my perspective as a way of changing up our history. Then I listened to the soundtrack and was (ahem) blown away. It was/is such a tremendous artistic achievement, I’d urge everyone who has stopped at the door wondering what to think of Hamilton to simply enter and experience it. I was so wrong to judge it or assume I could assess its intentions based on the buzz about it. (I wrote a blog about Hamilton’s narrative structure here if anyone is interested. https://orangefiery.com/2017/01/11/hamilton-and-the-power-of-narrative/ )
Anyway, it does not surprise me that some (many?) Black Americans would have complicated feelings about the musical, as I’m sure they have complicated feelings about America’s story in general. Feels like a good moment for all of us to be listening to the depth of their feelings and experience. Why shouldn’t Blacks and other non-whites feel chagrined at Hamilton’s success, when it shows we’ve spent 244+ years not dealing with the depth of slavery’s impact on our society.
To answer your question from my (white) vantage point, I don’t believe Hamilton is whitewashed. I think it tells a complex story about historic attitudes about slavery and gives a few nods to the irony and sadness of fighting for freedom while enslaving a people. As for how it relates to attitudes of today, I think for many Americans, Hamilton should serve as a reminder of our founding values of freedom and liberty. And as Heather wrote on July 3, how we have an obligation to continuously take stock of how we are doing in achieving those values. But it makes our current situation feel like unfinished business in terms of racial justice. It is hard, as a white man, to know what it must feel like to be Black in American society. I think white America has failed Blacks in so many ways, it bears more similarities to the American colonies’ exploitation by mother Britain than we tend to acknowledge. The oppression you describe isn’t (just) individual whites doIng violence to individual Blacks, it is systemic and entrenched around education, housing, healthcare and criminal justice that perpetuate poverty, violence and segregation. In other words, everything.
As for white attitudes of “all lives matter,” I really don’t get it. Look at the evidence. Black Americans have unequal outcomes in every sector of society. It’s well past time we did more to eradicate racism from our society and culture.
Mike Kuczkowski, Just read the blog! Nice piece!
Thanks!
So interesting - having a similar conversation with friends of color in the theatre community, they (collectively) love the casting, and understand it as being a metaphor for how relevant this story is right now, that it parallels the current fight that BIPOC are in to rise up above their oppressors. Less about literally playing George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and more about the idea of the underdog rising up to fight for what's right, and the use of hip-hop further emphases that parallel. This is a very current story, even if it's about the late 18th century.
Need to reply to myself to add that I find it fascinating that John Laurens' fight against slavery is repeatedly mentioned throughout the show. LMM didn't need to do that, and I thought it was really telling that it's such a big part of Laurens' storyline, and his relationship with Hamilton. (At least within the context of the musical.)
Please. Your post from yesterday was worthy of a week (or more). I worry that finally telling the truth about our history is being interpreted by the GOP and, more likely, Trump as teaching our children to “hate” our country. Looking forward to hearing more from you this week. Rest up.
Ultimately "We" are in charge of our children. They learn from us. Have faith! Good always wins over evil.
tRump hates "our" country and he is upset that so many are standing up to and calling out the hatred of HIS traditional country and the inequality that has plagued it unabated for so long.
I will NOT geek out about Hamilton in truly embarrassing detail... I will NOT geek out about Hamilton in truly embarrassing detail....
Chris Blakely, Geek away! No judgement here:)
The best money I spent this year was on the subscription to this fine community and Disney+ so that I could watch Hamilton. I loved it. Looking forward to watching it over and over again.
Would love to hear your commentary about it, historically.
Feel the same way about Hamilton. Pure genius on so many levels. If you have not heard it, check out a song This American Life asked Anna Bareilles to write about what Barack Obama must have felt but did not say about the 2016 election. Leslie Odom, Jr. brings it to magnificent life. The song is called "Seriously." To me this song as performed by Odom, who won the Tony for playing Burr in Hamilton, brings what moves us in this play right up to the present day.
I just looked it up! It was amazing.
Great song...Very timely.. Than you!!
Watched it yesterday - seemed fitting to watch it on the 4th. And I’ll watch it again. Such an amazing production with the original cast, which I never got to see. I did get the chance to see the touring company performance last year - and I’ll see that again when I get the chance.
Haven't seen Hamilton yet but intend to.
On to the weeks and months ahead to the election.
Among all the other issues to cover, we still have the Me Too movement.
You may have missed this piece from The Guardian in March on March 14, 2020 because of the growing need for Covid-19 coverage. It doesn't implicate Trump directly as an abuser, but it does reiterate that Trump "denies in the strongest possible terms” being friends with the likes of John Casablancas and all the other men who were caught up in the modelling business.
It's worth taking a look: It describes what I call a sleaze culture. And there is Trump, all around it:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/14/teen-models-powerful-men-when-donald-trump-hosted-look-of-the-year?fbclid=IwAR07xcXBHVfppVZy-Fz60Z14vdzLpmBtf-IPpk0ZmWkdF_hr07srdwQxYSI
IMHO, they're all of a piece: John Casablancas, Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump, Roger Ailes, Harvey Weinstein, Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton, etc., opportunists wielding status, power and hidden agendas to indulge their hidden desires. Birds of a feather. Like energy attracts like energy.
So much depends on what happens next with the Ghislaine Maxwell indictments. And when Michael Cohen's book when it comes out. And Mary Trump's book. And Trump's tax returns (which may be indicators of other payoffs besides Stormy Daniels).
I'd like to think that "what is concealed shall be revealed," but is there enough space and time to get to it all -- for once and for all? It would be a tragedy for posterity, enlightenment and human advancement if it just goes away.
We will watch 10 times more and love it just as much. Brilliant, moving, damn near perfect.
Same. Agree.
Also, don’t forget this. Particularly the laughter at 2:20
https://youtu.be/WNFf7nMIGnE
every morning I wake up have coffee and sit down to read your daily letter. Did you ever imagine you would be the guiding light we all need right now ? Your precise and concise letters are all I need to help navigate these uncharted waters. The rest of the day I have to give my heart a rest. Thank you Heather.
I am so glad that you watched it and took a night off from writing. I "ugly cried" at the end. Not just because of the emotional scene and message, but because these days my emotions are so near the surface that it doesn't take much to make me cry. Mentioned to my doctor that I was having trouble sleeping and he said to try and get rid of the stress. Yeah, right! Not sure what will help with that but I know that Buddy's photos that Heather occasionally posts certainly help bring some calm. Thank you...for everything.
💖