West Side Story has been loved by the American people for decades. Perhaps it is too ethnic for the year 2020, but, it is still a great performance of dancers and singers.
The storyline is much different than today. Gangs. The Sharks and the Jets. Clashes between two different ethnic gangs. That comes through in the song "America."
Not so different are the appearances of gangs on the streets of the USA. Political gangs. That may be different in Chicago where guns are a real problem that contributes to disruption of life and longevity in all too many instances. But, there are gangs now, and guess what, it is mostly about racism yet in the 21st century. I think the year of the appearance of West Side Story was 1947. More than 70 years has passed by and there are still racial differences in the socio-economic balance of the USA. Half of the time since the end of the USA Civil War in 1865.
There is a lot of man-woman interaction throughout the entire play/movie. It is nearly palpable with plenty of joy thrown into the laughter in the dance scene. Men trying to make their way in a new country and women finding happiness in the freedom of expression. Both genders carry out their new awareness and joy between themselves and not expressing all they are to others.
How can people be a part of the same society and yet be separate? Assimilation is not needed, so much as acceptance and a bridge to understanding, appreciation, and solace this country is the greatest country on Earth.
