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If you weren't watching the Tony Awards last night, I guess that's fine, but you missed Lin-Manuel Miranda's sonnet upon winning Best Original Score (for Hamilton, our collective religion). Here's what he said:

My wife's the reason anything gets done
She nudges me towards promise by degrees
She is a perfect symphony of one,
Our son is her most beautiful reprise
We chase the melodies that seem to find us
Until they're finished songs and start to play
When senseless acts of tragedy remind us
That nothing here is promised, not one day
This show is proof that history remembers
We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger
We rise and fall and light from dying embers
Remembrances that hope and love lasts long
And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love
Cannot be killed or swept aside,
I sing Vanessa's symphony, Eliza tells her story
Now fill the world with music love and pride

And now we're all crying.

First, because this has been a terrible, abysmal, awful, horrible and traumatic 24 hours, and also because we needed something. We needed love and earnestness and feelings and vulnerability and joy and whatever a hug would be in Tonys form. We needed to hear somebody with a platform remind us that love is love is love is love (and bigotry and racism and hatred and homophobia can get all kinds of fucked), and we needed to hear it this way. From the heart, and full of earnestness. While all of us cried a lot.

Which I know cannot and will not fix or change the landscape we live in that's so, so broken. No amount of sonnets or awards shows or tears in the world will bring back the victims of America's largest mass shooing, nor take away the fact that one man was so full of hate that he targeted the LGBTQ2 community and wreaked havoc and took lives in the name of it. Nothing. A change of American legislature can prevent it, education can help curb ignorance, but the effects of what happened in Orlando on Saturday will leave permanent scars on a community that's already withstood so many of them.

So what Miranda's speech did was less make us forget, but reminded us that love is love is love is love is love. And, that when given a platform, to use it.

Because it is very not to. It is easy to sit silent and scared"which is a reasonable wish in the wake of horrific events" while declaring yourself removed, but sorry and sad, etc., etc. You tell yourself that it didn't happen to someone you knew or to yourself or in your country, and then you send hope and prayers, and then you think about what else there is to be done but shrink away from it because it's all so big and so scary and what can you do? I mean, really? Like, come on?
But if you stand for nothing, what will you fall for.
There can't be currency in apathy. It's not acceptable just to be an ally when it's convenient or trendy or cool. It's not enough to say you love Pride, and then shrink away from a conversation that requires you to defend and/or champion LGBTQ2 people. Just like it's not enough to call yourself a feminist and sit silently by in the wake of rape culture or say "all lives matter," in an attempt not to rock the boat. Meanwhile, it is acceptable to stand up and speak when it's time (or better: share the words of an activist/writer/person at the helm), or, if you really don't know what everybody's talking about, to sit down and learn. To be an ally is not about activism fitting your schedule. It can look many ways, but it does not look like blending into the background because it's hard to stand for something. You can RT a call for blood, or attend a vigil, or ask if everybody's okay and what you can do if they're not. (Asking what you can do is the best! Especially if you do whatever's needed!) It's not about standing up and hitting your shoe on the desk as a call for attention. Find your own way. But find a way.

On Sunday, Lin-Manuel Miranda seized his moment and it suited him and it was his. I think what makes us nervous in the wake of tragedy is to allow yourself to really feel; to extend ourselves and to commit to somethings and someones and then doing something in response to those feelings. But odds are, your gut will not lead you down a road that will lead to you making a situation worse. You don't have to write and perform a sonnet. Maybe you donate to an LGBTQ2 shelter. Maybe you correct a friend who's saying something hateful, even if they're "just kidding." Maybe you read about a topic you thought you knew more about, but don't, because educating yourself is one of the most powerful acts in the world. Or maybe you don't post something in a moment of scoring Cool Ally Points. (And instead ask yourself what's making you do that.) You know what's authentic for yourself, and you know what would be performative. You know who you are, and who you want to be.

There's courage in feeling. So let those feelings lead you to helpful action.

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If you weren't watching the Tony Awards last night, I guess that's fine, but you missed Lin-Manuel Miranda's sonnet upon winning Best Original Score (for Hamilton, our collective religion).

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WASHINGTON -- Several thousand people, including award-winning playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, streamed from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial Sunday shouting " Puerto Rico Se Levanta" (Puerto Rico Is Rising) to protest how Congress and the Trump administration have handled the island's nearly two-month-old hurricane recovery and to pressure them to step things up.

"We knew it was very important for the U.S. to know we are citizens and this is what citizens look like," Angela Gonzalez-Walker, 59, said to explain why she drove to Washington, D.C. from Ivyland, Pennsylvania, starting out at 5 a.m. for the march. "The plight of the island is very dire."

Monday is the two-month mark since Hurricane Maria blasted through Puerto Rico. As of Friday, significant portions of the island still lacked electricity and potable water. Families lack housing and the economy, already crippled by its multibillion-dollar debt crisis, has further suffered as businesses have been unable to open without electricity or Internet and with tourism taking a major hit.

The flag of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, was in abundance in the lively, upbeat march and rally. Marchers chanted in Spanish and English and occasionally broke out in song. Marchers carried signs that said "Make Puerto Rico Great Again," "Lucha," and "Stop the Jones Act," as well as "Puerto Ricans are Dying."

Miranda, marching with his father and mother, carried a Hispanic Federation banner reading "Fight For Puerto Rico" leading the latter half of the thousands of marchers. He joined in with the call and response chant of "Puerto Rico, Presente" (Puerto Rico is present) and in shouting a few drawn out "¡Weeepaaas! The term "wepa," sort of like "yowza," is a popular expression in Puerto Rico.

The "Hamilton" creator has made a number of efforts to raise money and bring aid to Puerto Ricans. He has brought together artists to produce the single "Almost Like Praying." Sales of the single have raised $500,000 for the island, Miranda announced at the Lincoln Memorial rally.

He plans to return to the "Hamilton" cast to perform in the award-winning play in Puerto Rico, selling $10 tickets for islanders and other packages to help draw tourists.

Miranda told marchers that the Hispanic Federation, which his father founded, has raised $20 million for Puerto Rico relief coming from more than 100,000 contributions from all 50 states and 23 countries.

"So Puerto Rico, you are not forgotten. The compassion of the American people is real and it is still here," Miranda said from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. "If the government would meet us where we already are, that would be a really incredible thing. We could keep raising money, but it's not going to do any good if the government doesn't help us."

Legendary actress Rita Moreno also rallied the crowd, and others present included celebrity chef Jose Andrés, who has spent a large part of the last two months cooking and spearheading food delivery efforts in Puerto Rico.

Despite having one of the most popular celebrities at the forefront, organizers of the rally emphasized that the march and rally were intended to be a "people's march."

"This advocacy we needed had to come from the people," said Evelyn Mejil, who launched the Unity March. "We needed to find a voice within the community and the community needed to unite in order for voice to be powerful and heard in Congress."

Mejil, who is a communications consultant and runs a non-profit that does humanitarian work around the world, said she wanted to be sure the march was a grassroots march and not one organized by groups or community leaders. Doing so, she said, showed that "we do have a voice, we have power."

Sisters Enid Tallmer, 55, and Ivette Rivas, 53, made the trip from Raleigh, N.C. They said it was only after they had booked their hotel and planned their trip that they learned through his appearance on "Ellen" that Miranda would be marching with them.

"We care about the people that are there the most," Rivas said.

Angela González-Walker holds homemade sign that emphasizes that Puerto Ricans served in US Armed Services. She made sign held by husband Ron Triglia too. pic.twitter.com/dbjbUiZcCo
- NBC Latino (@NBCLatino) November 19, 2017

Diana Calderón-Torres and her husband Dr. Richard Torres, both 50, came with their dog Diego from Monroe, Connecticut to the rally and march. She and her husband, an internal medicine physician, had made a medical mission trip to Pueto Rico, taking antibiotics and other medical supplies.

Calderón-Torres said she has moved her 24-year-old niece and her 3-year-old baby to the mainland because of the conditions on the island.

"It was just frustrating to fly in, it was very emotional to come through the airport and see the devastation, to experience first hand what our families, our loved ones, our people are experiencing. It's horrendous. We thought it would be a good idea to come down (to the rally) and do what we can," Calderon-Torres said.

There is limited political recourse for Puerto Ricans on the island when it comes to the federal government. It is a territory - many islanders say colony is a better label - of the United States. Its citizens are represented in Congress by Jenniffer Gonzalez. But she has no vote in Congress.

Puerto Ricans do have a say in picking who will be on the ballot in presidential primaries, but they can't vote for U.S. president in the general elections.

As the economy has worsened over the years, the population of Puerto Ricans who have relocated to the mainland has grown by the hundreds of thousands. Because Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, they only need to register to vote in the state where they relocate in order to vote. This has made Puerto Ricans a growing part of the electorate, big enough to have some sway in elections in the pivotal state of Florida.

"That there are more Puerto Ricans that have moved to Florida now, a number that dwarfs the Mariel Boat Lift?, said David Ferreria, a principal at Ferreira Strategies consulting firm. "That's impressive and that obviously weighs on the minds of people in terms of the political impact of voters in the Puerto Rican community."

Sunday's march and rally followed a day-long summit on Saturday in D.C. organized by several groups of stateside and island Puerto Rican policy makers and activists. Panels included a discussion on tactics for community organizing as well as long-term strategies for economic redevelopment.

Mari Carmen Aponte, former secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere under the Obama administration and now a consultant, said politicians need to know that Puerto Ricans can change the political landscape.

"There comes a time in history when you say aquí se acabó. (enough is enough)," said Aponte. "This is not about surviving. This is about making Puerto Rico thrive and the only way we can do this is to do it together, do it in unity and to be present."

Miranda added his own warning to lawmakers at Sunday's rally.

"Congress, if you can hear me, Puerto Ricans are coming to the United States in record numbers, they are your newest voting bloc," he said to loud cheers that had Moreno throwing her hands in the air.

"When you vote for relief for Puerto Rico. When you vote for forgiveness of this debt, when you vote for a relief package, it's not just the sane thing to do, it's not just the humane thing to do - it's good politics."

Additional reporting from NBC Latino contributor Patricia Guadalupe.

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Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rita Moreno among thousands marching in D.C. for Puerto Rico recovery help

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WASHINGTON -- Several thousand people, including award-winning playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, streamed from the U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial Sunday shouting " Puerto Rico Se Levanta" (Puerto Rico Is Rising) to protest how Congress and the Trump administration have handled the island's nearly two-month-old hurricane recovery and to pressure them to step things up.

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Nearly two months following the Category 5 hurricane, over 60% of Puerto Rico's population is still without electricity. That means over 2 million men, women, and children are in the dark. With more than 472,000 homes in need of restoration, the $5 billion aid relief granted by Congress is dwindling fast.

Recently, Puerto Rico Governor, Ricardo Rosselló, has urged for a $94 billion aid relief package to target critical infrastructure and long-term recovery on the island.

In the wake of Hurricane Maria that hit the island mid-September, many celebrities and lawmakers have come forward pledging their support and sharing prayers with those affected by the devastation.

One of those voices that continues to tirelessly remind Congress and the American public of Puerto Rico's humanitarian crisis, is Puerto Rican-native and Hamilton-creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

In early October, Miranda released a charity single titled "Almost like Praying" to raise proceeds for disaster relief. The song was a mash-up of Miranda's favorite song, West Side Story's 'Maria'.

Writing the song was easy, but putting it together was another feat entirely.

Miranda flew back and forth between LA, New York and Miami to record vocals with fellow Puerto Ricans, Jennifer Lopez, Luis Fonsi (Despacito), and other prominent Latin singers excited to help out.

In the song, the vocal-elite ensemble makes reference to all seventy-eight towns in Puerto Rico and share fond memories of what makes the island so special to them. The song went on to raise $3 million even before its release! You can listen to it below:

As if that wasn't enough, Miranda has now turned his attention to working with emergency relief directly.

Earlier this month, Miranda announced plans for a $2.5 million aid relief package through his partnership with New York-based Hispanic Federation; an organization founded by his father, Luis A. Miranda.

So far, seven local groups have received funds from the partnership and more groups are expected to see aid shortly. Twenty-five grants will be issued by the organization in the range of $50,000 to $100,000. This money will be used to set up temporary housing and deliver food and water to affected areas.

Thankfully, Miranda isn't the only celebrity working towards effective change.

Other celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Stephen Colbert, and Pitt Bull have taken it into their own hands to provide support for the victims of Hurricane Maria, following President Trump's threat to pull relief from the island.

"The road to recovery in Puerto Rico is not a simple one nor is it one that relies solely on aid from the American government on the mainland... together, we will cultivate, fund and execute practical and actionable solutions to kick-start and continue the island's road to recovery for years to come." - Lin Manuel Miranda

If you would like to take action and help Puerto Rico rebuild, you can donate to the Hispanic Federation here.

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Hero of the Week: Lin-Manuel Miranda Shows Us What Real Activism Is

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Nearly two months following the Category 5 hurricane, over 60% of Puerto Rico's population is still without electricity. That means over 2 million men, women, and children are in the dark. With more than 472,000 homes in need of restoration, the $5 billion aid relief granted by Congress is dwindling fast.

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Oh, I'm so uncomfortable in the space. You can't - I can't tell you how much I would rather be writing a new musical right now.

But this is where we are. And we're two months after Hurricane Maria. Many of the needs of the 3.5 million American citizens on the island are still not being met, basic needs like water and electricity.

I'm here because we need to be here, and we need to continue to amplify the needs of the island.

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'Hamilton' creator Lin-Manuel Miranda takes on new role as activist for Puerto Rico

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Lin-Manuel Miranda has a new role: as an emerging political activist. The Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, composer and actor is calling on Congress to do more to help Puerto Rico recover from the devastation of Hurricane Maria, which struck the island two months ago.