Blog #9

Choosing Lin-Manuel Miranda for my presentation

This process was a bit difficult for me just because I admire almost all the artists that were on the classes’ reading roster. At first I had my mind set Sandra Cisneros, the author of The House On Mango Street. I originally read the novel back in middle school and have always admired and could relate to the story by having a hispanic background as well and always living in an urban hispanic populated city. I recall reading about the women looking out their windows and remembering women who I’ve seen in my life do the same. Overall it’s always been a novel I have admired and came to no surprise when I learn that Cisneros won an award for her work. However, decided not to use Cisneros because I wanted to choose someone outside of out reading roster, someone who I felt was worthy shining a light on. Thinking of an artist my mind went everywhere. These days there’s so many artists with different ethnicities and experiences, I had to take a step back and think of artists who I can relate most to as well as made an impact with their work. Then Lin-Manuel Miranda came to mind. He is an American composer, lyricist, singer, rapper, actor, producer, and playwright, who is most known for creating and starring in the Broadway musicals In the Heights and Hamilton. 

Basically, he’s done everything. His parents migrated to America from Puerto Rico and he was born in Washington Heights, NY. I became a fan of Miranda when I saw the In the Heights musical. It reminded me of myself growing up going to the bodegas and knowing everyone from my neighborhood who are all from different Spanish countries. Nevertheless, I didn’t choose Miranda just off by myself relating to him, but how he displays the life many struggles of many hispanic immigrants in America. Also, he is someone who didn’t have much and became such an influential artist that made it out of the barrio. He is an inspiration to myself and so many others, which resulted in him being the artist of my presentation.