MY THOUGHT FOR TODAY: LO UNICO MAS PODEROSO QUE EL ODIO ES EL AMOR

Last night I witnessed one of the best, significant Super Bowl-halftime shows ever. It was joyful, celebratory, community-oriented all connected with earnest pride. It was stunning visual story telling (I didn’t understand a word, but it didn’t matter.) where every costume, every set piece, every guest, the music, and the choreography all combined to tell a vibrant story. The flavor was America. The community streets of Puerto Rico and New York are American. Sugar cane is American. Neighborhood barber shops are American. Different languages, different foods, and meeting people from different cultures is American. Acknowledging concerns like the Puerto Rican power crisis combined with inspirational messages that any child can succeed (Bad Bunny is a prime example.) provided a portrait of truth. But the utter joy, love, and connection reaching out for all of us was intentional and astounding.

Ah, but to have a halftime show in Spanish? THIS IS A CULTURAL CATASTROPHE? This is MAGA’s line in the sand? Powerful people exploiting children receive crickets? Abuse of power barely a murmur? People disappeared without due process? Unchecked authority murdering American citizens in the streets by masked agents? The attack on institutions destabilizing our democracy? Corruption in broad daylight by the president, his family, and supporters? Do any of us really know Elon really did? The weaponization of the DOJ and FBI against political foes? Congressional cowardice and self-interest? Project 23 connections to Hungary and Russia? The not so accidental financial instability caused by haphazard tariffs? How about outrage over racist language and dehumanizing imagery coming from our president targeting black leaders? Nope. But a halftime in Spanish about Puerto Rico? THAT DESERVES THEIR SELECTIVE OUTRAGE. Seems like the disgusting aim of the white supremacist RaHoWa cult has engulfed MAGA because they sure don’t care about the true dangers our nation endures.

Let me give you a short history of Puerto Rico. The island became a US territory in 1898 after the Spanish American War. In 1917, the Jones Shafroth Act passed giving all Puerto Ricans American citizenship. Now before you go praising that action, realize it was not accidental timing as immediately afterward, the draft for World War I took an exceptionally high rate per capita from, you guessed it, Puerto Rico. However, thousand upon thousands served with distinction. The country has gifted great soldiers, athletes, artists, teachers, and leaders who are woven into the fabric of our country. Puerto Rico and its people are American by law, by history, and by culture.

Thank you, Bad Bunny, for your tireless work and artistry and extending the boundaries of tradition, decency, and cultural diversity for a country that severely needs education.