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The halftime performance choice sparked drama because of people’s animosity towards diversity.

I’ve always known that our media literacy rates were plummeting and that our country is becoming more and more divided with every passing day, but the Super Bowl halftime show really exemplified just how true those two things are.

The Super Bowl is a well-known football event that many people in and outside America come to see. Beginning in 1967, it’s considered one of the biggest sporting events in America. Usually, during halftime, an artist is picked out by the National Football League (NFL) and Jay-Z to make a special appearance at the game.

This annual event is an amazing way to bring in people who don’t enjoy watching football. I’ve always sat down to see the artist picked out to perform, because the performances are usually super over-the-top and entertaining.

To my surprise, Bad Bunny was picked out for the halftime show this year. I was extremely overjoyed about this decision, as with recent events happening in our country, it’d be the cherry on top.

When some people found out about the choice, they were outraged. I’ve seen a plethora of comments making racist remarks because Bad Bunny would be singing and rapping in Spanish. It was saddening to see the horrid things people said all because the music during halftime would be in a different language, by a person who was Puerto Rican and not white.

For one, the United States is built on a blend of different cultures, religions, and people. Immigrants hundreds of years ago moved to this country in hopes of a better future. To see people bashing on Bad Bunny simply because it didn’t correspond with what they wanted the halftime show to be was despicable. It truly showed just how divided our country has become, as the usage of hate towards different ethnicities was, somehow, something people weren’t polarized by. 

In my opinion, the most disheartening aspect, though not completely shocking, was the “other” halftime show, hosted by Turning Point USA (TPUSA). This entire halftime show was advertised as the more “American” show, featuring country artists along with the problematic Kid Rock.  The alternative halftime show was also promoted by the vice president, JD Vance, himself, tweeting  that he was excited about tuning in for the lineup at TPUSA.

This “small” choice of words has a much louder impact. 

 Our own government was not able to watch a fifteen-minute show because it wasn’t “American” enough for them. After all, the artist was Puerto Rican, and because the artist sang in a different language. It doesn’t even make logical sense, as Puerto Rico is an American territory, meaning that Bad Bunny has legal U.S citizenship. 

The funniest part of it all was that the NFL decided to give in to these comments, but not in the way you would think. Some people wanted a white singer, so the NFL chose the notorious Green Day to open for the Super Bowl. Known for being a punk rock band extremely against fascism and our current presidency, it was satisfying to see this little act of rebellion take place. Everyone got what they technically wanted, right?

Bad Bunny’s performance was outstanding. For the people who hated it, I simply don’t think they understood its power.

I’ve noticed and talked to many Latino people about this performance, and it’s clear that its impact was heavy. There are many details of common Spanish culture placed throughout his performance. I loved the house with plenty of Spanish singers and rappers, along with Bad Bunny giving his Grammy to his younger persona, as a way for him to say “look where we made it”.

The message of togetherness throughout the entire performance was beautiful, too. Lady Gaga, a guest performer, appeared singing her hit “Die With a Smile”. The only slight change to this song is that it was covered on a Latin music beat. The act signified that music, and other aspects not mentioned, can be shared by different people and still be enjoyed in the same way.

At the very end, a message appears on the billboard behind Bad Bunny. It read, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” After this is shown, Bad Bunny throws down a football that reads “Together, we are America.”

It was a message, a message that the people who were so utterly against this performance couldn’t grasp. Our country is controlled by hatred of each other, and what we need right now is unity, collectiveness, and acceptance.

Together, we are America.