Upon many’s recognition, the Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny has surged in popularity this year. Not only did he win multiple awards in the 68th Annual Grammys this year, but he also performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, which sparked major controversy. Numerous people criticized the predominance of Spanish songs and argued that English lyrics should have been present. This controversy raises a larger question: what does it truly mean to be “American?”
“The only thing more powerful than hate is love”–one of the most notable quotes from Bad Bunny during his acceptance speech at this year’s Grammys, which was also boldly displayed at the end of the halftime show. Not only was his performance eccentric and culturally enlightening, but it also voiced an important message: America isn’t limited to the United States. Although geographically, this is apparent, when referring to ‘America,’ the first thing that comes into people’s minds is often the U.S. However, America really consists of two continents that are made up of around 35 countries. Not only did Bad Bunny note this distinction by ending his show listing each country while displaying their flags, but he implemented that America is essentially “one.”
Often, it is difficult to specifically define what America’s culture consists of, and if attempting to do so, the answer is never straightforward. Without a doubt, America has and will always continue to be full of diverse people, foods, and traditions. It is crucial to keep in mind our origins, and to not let our judgement be clouded by false ideals. One may attempt to define America by football, fast food, and freedom, but these are just characteristics with no real roots. When pondering this idea, the core of American culture stems from numerous ethnic groups. This creates a diverse concept of heritage, merging Hispanic, European, and other customs and traditions.
In Bad Bunny’s performance, he exhibited Puerto Rican culture and lifestyle, such as piragua stands, Villa’s Tacos, a real Mexican-American business according to Forbes, and traditional Puerto Rican musical instruments and grassy scenery. As unique and warming as this is, these traits only highlight part of American culture. Hispanic culture does dominate much of America, with 19 countries in this region having Spanish as their official language. In the United States alone, 20% of the population is Hispanic, amounting to around 68 million people, according to The United States Census Bureau.
While Hispanic culture plays a significant role, it is only part of a broader multicultural landscape. Despite the prevalence of Latino-Americans in the United States and other areas of America, other cultures are also widespread and embraced. According to Pew Research, the Asian-American population has more than doubled in the United States since 2000, with this ethnic group now consisting of 7% of the country’s population. In response to this growth, many influential cities in the U.S. have areas curated towards Asian characteristics, such as Chinatown in New York City and Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. These areas are known for their distinctive styles, cuisine, and souvenirs, which overall enlighten the population about others’ ways of life across the world.
But why evolve our way of life when we are so accustomed to tradition and uniformity? Relating back to Bad Bunny’s show, this is the primary question that arose in critics’ minds. Before this year’s Superbowl half time show, all prior performances have mainly been in English. Although previous performances, such as Jennifer Lopez’s in 2020, emphasized Hispanic pride, no other show brought light to the true meaning of multiculturalism like Bad Bunny did.
To be immersed in a sea of various traditions, foods, beliefs, and material objects is what defines American culture. Homogeneity is not what brings people together, but rather the acceptance that there will constantly be diversity in the world around us. Whether embraced or resisted, these differences are what make America distinct.
At the end of the day, as Bad Bunny expressed, the only thing more powerful than hate is love.
