In 2010, I went to New York to see my family, as part of that trip my sister/niece went to see the Broadway show. It was a really cool experience and from then until just last week, when I’m homesick for the City, I listen to this soundtrack.
Tonight, I watched the movie adaptation. It was everything I expected. But, it added a level of feelings that I wasn’t expecting. Let me see if I can explain.
Background: My father was a weekend parent. Since his separation/divorce from my mother… I saw him very sporadically throughout my childhood. When I did see him, he was always the key to storing up the strength to deal with my life at school and at home and life in general. The times we spent together are some of my most cherished memories.
In the movie a two parent household was edited to be just a widow and his college-age daughter. This duo was at odds with each other because of the daughter’s decision to drop out of school so her father did not have to pay for the tuition. At the end of the story arc, the daughter changed her mind and go back to school in the fall. As they are discussing what changed her mind the father says:
You’re Nuyoricua. We’re a people on the move. So, yeah, bring us with you. Ignore anyone who doubts you. You take all the bruises, baby, but you stay in the ring.
Kevin Rosario, in the Heights motion picture 2021
This pretty much sums up every single conversation I’ve ever had with my father in my entire life. And, a lot of the conversations that I have with my son and with the kids that come into my life sounds pretty close to this as well.
What I got out of it: I am stronger than I think I am or give myself credit for. I have a tribe behind me that are with me all the time. I don’t ever have to be ashamed or hide the fact that I’ve been fighting (and winning) the battles of my life. I need to wear those bruises with pride, hold my head up high and jump right back in. That is the whole freaking point of Indomitable Bellatrix, damn it.
Indomitable Bellatrix 