Inhereted Will [October 2, 2025]

“Breathe” from In the Heights by Lin Manuel Miranda

I was really surprised that the song was in spanish, I really resonated with the meaning of the song. It makes me think about all the immigrants who paved the way for their children to be able to flourish and grown in the united states. "Y si pierdes mis huellas, que Dios te bendiga" makes me think of all the parents who brought their children to have a better childhood and how that is a double edged sword because raising your children here in the U.S. could mean the loss of your culture. As someone who's mother paved the way for me to be here in the U.S. I was actually embarrassed of being hispanic and I would often try to fit in with everyone else by avoiding all the things that make me latina. Even to the point where I wouldn't speak spanish because of how embarrassed I was to be different. So culture can certainltly be lost, but I think the older I get the more in love and attached I am to my heritage so even if the U.S. is now my home I still try to keep my culture alive in my every day life.

In equal measures I understand all the preassure Nina must feel as "The one that made it out." In a way Nina represents all the children of immigrant parents. Our parents workes very hard to get us to a place where we will have more success and it's up to us to make it up to them by becoming the best versions of ourselves. Growing up I was told to prioritize my studies, that I would have a career wouldn't have to take on cleaning jobs that would take a toll on my body. All of the older members of my family deem themselves too old for school and just keep on working in jobs they are already learned in, they put all their hopes and dreams unto our shoulders but its a weight that they believe with all their heart that we can bear. And we do bear it, because we want to make those that came before us proud, that their hard work paid off.

This song made me think of the ICE raids that are going on and the increasing discrimination of all types of immigrants in the United States. Althought, hispanic immigrants seem to be the most targeted in this day and age because of the laws set forth by Trump. It looks like at the moment there is a lot of protests and raids in Chicago, it's very reassuring that some mayors are actually standing up and protecting the residents of their states. I would also like to praise the mayor of Boston Michelle Wu, who is also advocating for the people she's representing as mayor.