Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, delivered a commencement speech on Monday at the University of Pennsylvania.
In his speech, Miranda made this powerful statement about the importance of immigrants in this country:
"I know that many of you made miracles happen to get to this day. I know that parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, and family behind you made miracles happen to be here."
"I know because my family made miracles happen for me to be standing here talking to you, telling stories. Your stories are essential."
"Don't believe me? In a year when politicians traffic in anti-immigrant rhetoric, there is also a Broadway musical reminding us that a broke, orphan immigrant from the West Indies built our financial system."
"A story that reminds us that since the beginning of the great, unfinished symphony that is our American experiment, time and time again, immigrants get the job done."
