Bad Bunny

During the Super Bowl I was kidding Vicki that I couldn’t wait to see Bad Bunny. (Just a quick diversion and commentary on the game. I enjoyed every minute to see the aphorism in real time that defense wins games. I remember my days on the practice squad for our football team; we were always on defense where fame went to those on offense. We would get up after each play and shake the dust off literally as there was more dirt on the practice field than grass by mid-season, which was between a graveyard and the street, so I applaud loudly for the defense any time I am watching a game.

So, why did I want to see Bad Bunny? Because I knew little about him. I knew he was a Puerto Rican superstar singer who sung with pride about his heritage. I saw him on an award show say, “Only love can stamp out hate.” I knew that Trump couldn’t stand him and demeaned him. I knew Trump, Vance, and Turning Point which was the home of MAGA set up a rival half time show. 135 million watched the Super Bowl Show at the game. 5 million watched the Trump, Vance, Turning Point Show that was streaming at the same time.

I also knew that Bad Bunny said that we shouldn’t learn Spanish, but we should learn to dance. When I finished watching him perform at the half time show, I turned to Vicki and said, “I don’t get it.” I couldn’t understand a word that he sang in Spanish (my apology to Ms. Higgins who taught me Spanish for two years), but any time that black, brown, and Puerto Rican people are center stage, I am all in. I saw Lady Gaga who is one of my favorites (“I was born this way.”). She, Ricky Martin, and others were surprise guests and a couple were literally married during the joyful event.

Finally, I got a basic understanding of what was happening. Bad Bunny wanted a celebration of Joy, and you didn’t need to know Spanish words to support it. He talked about love. The governor of California had previously proclaimed that the Super Bowl was officially Bad Bunny Day.

Trump, Vance, and Turning point decided that there would be an alternate Super Bowl halftime show led by Kid Rock and a few country music singers. Others turned it down. Their show was billed as the real America of faith and country. Everything that Trump does eventually is problematic starting with six bankrupt casinos. He forgot that Kid Rock had a song with the lyrics, “I like them underage, see some say that’s statutory, but I say it’s mandatory.”

It was two competing views and values of America. Bad Bunny was about the joy of love,

a celebration of diversity in general and Puerto Rico in particular. You should know Trump’s view. Look no further than Minneapolis.

For more years than I can remember I started my day with the newspaper that had an editorial column written by George Will who is a libertarian conservative writer and political writer who the Wall Street Journal described as perhaps the most powerful journalist in America. He has won the Pulitzer Prize. He has written many books. I have read a few of them. He supported Ronald Reagan, and he is a great fan of baseball. I knew what liberals believed. I wanted to be up to date on what conservatives believed. The goal was to learn a balanced view for that is what I wanted my students to experience.

I have attached below Wills audio of his reflection on Bad Bunny, and it is a brilliant description of the split in our country between two visions and values.

It is 17 minutes long and worth every minute of your time.

George Will's Commentary On Bad Bunny and Kid Rock