Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical “Hamilton” is widely praised for its use of race-conscious casting and innovative blend of musical genres. The musical transforms the life story of Alexander Hamilton into a vibrant, multi-layered narrative, featuring a cast predominantly composed of actors of color. However, despite its progressive approach to casting, many argue that there are areas where the musical could enhance its inclusivity and historical accountability, particularly regarding the depiction of slavery and the individuals it chooses to hold accountable. Leslie M. Harris' critique of “The Greatest City in the World”? : Slavery in New York in the Age of Hamilton” points out a significant oversight in the musical Hamilton:…show more content… Moreover, the musical overlooks New York- a city often seen as a beacon of liberty- and its role in the economics of slavery, as the city’s prosperity was heavily reliant on the slave trade and labor of enslaved people. In addition to historical inaccuracies, Lyra D. Monterio’s critique in “Race-Conscious Casting and the Erasure of the Black Past in Hamilton” examines the implications of race-conscious casting in the musical. While Hamilton features a predominantly non-white cast portraying the founding fathers, Monteiro argues that this choice, though visually impactful, only superficially addresses the deeper racial issues at play. In other words, the race-conscious casting is seen as merely cosmetic, as it does not extend to a critical examination of the character’s complicity in racial oppression. This approach is perceived as a missed opportunity to more deeply explore the stark contradictions between the founding fathers' rhetoric of liberty and equality and their personal and political actions that directly contradicted these ideals. By engaging more critically with these issues, the musical could offer a more nuanced portrayal of these figures, highlighting the complexities and moral ambiguities of their legacies
