I was raised in a very diverse, though small, town in the MA, CT, RI border area. We had a wealth of ethnicities: Greek, Italian, French, Polish, Irish, Romanian, and Puerto Rican, which was around 25% of our total population. I remember their exuberance for life, for community, for celebration. Even though among the poorest of residents they always seemed to have a smile on their faces. They loved celebration and were among the biggest supporters of the area churches festivals.
My aunt, an artist, collaborated with a local author to highlight the first family of each ethnicity that made up the fabric of our town. We were impressed to find that our long time Hispanic friends were the first Puerto Rican family to grace our town. The child my family was closest to, and have known for 60 years, Tee, has called our mother on every holiday since he became an adult. Never missing a single one in over 40 years, and always starting with the silly line: "do you know who this is?", a ritual beloved by both my mom and him. This is love, this is life, this is what we cherish.
Though our paths rarely cross in our busy lives, when we do bump into each other we just take up the conversation where we left off, like we had just seen each other the week before. Sadly my mom is now in hospice, nearing life's end. At 97 her dementia has progressed but she still remembers her friend Tee, still looked forward to his Christmas morning call, still remembered who he was when he asked his silly question: "do you know who this is".
Sharon, what a beautiful post! The community you describe is the community I want to live in. And not just my community but world. Thank you so much for your post - you provided an inspiring start to my day!
Thank you for this. As a family of musicians, only two of whom studied Spanish in school, we understood clearly what was being said throughout. It was extremely well done theatre as well as musicianship that did, indeed, tell a story very different from the false narrative strewn about and amplified as political capital by too many. Bad Bunny, not just a musician with great success but a man of extraordinary character, activism and charitable work and American who threw hope and love like spiked touchdowns while only 4.5 million people watched that alternative show focused on racism and hate. Less than the number of people who voted for Trump in Texas, as some have put it. Not financially worth putting on such a show. But that wasn't their point. I'm thrilled Bad Bunny sang in Spanish, true to his recordings and first ever Spanish language album Grammy nomination and Win. He's only English words spoken "God Bless America" and a football with words "Together we are America", and the Jumbotrons reading "The Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate is Love". We understood EVERYTHING. And it was full of love and hope. Filled our cups to carry on!
Between his upbeat performance and the great attendance when the "Walk for Peace" monks share their story, I have been inspired. So many people are realizing that love is the ONLY answer. Thanks for what you are doing to spread the word.
It kind of reminds me of John Byer's (the X-Files) recurring dream of an America where JFK was never assassinated, except so much work has been done since then. There is still far too much that has been undone, and must be redone, but it's nice to get a glimmer of what could be. People will pick this show apart and criticize it because it didn't have subtitles and had girls shaking their booties (which halftime show in the last 20 years HASN'T?), but to me it appeared to be about love as the bottom line (pun intended).
“You won without changing the color of your voice. You won without erasing your roots. You won by staying true to Puerto Rico.” ~ Ricky Martin on Bad Bunny’s achievements ahead of the Super Bowl.
Karol G, Pedro Pascal, Cardi B Lady GaGa, Ricky Martin and More Make Surprise Cameos in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance. From Pedro Pascal to Karol G, all of the celebs wanted to be in Bad Bunny's casita for his Super Bowl halftime performance!
My favorite moment was when Bad Bunny reminded every kid that no matter your skin color, no matter the language you speak, no matter where you're from, no matter WHO tries to stop you...America is STILL the place where ANYONE can rise to the very top.
Is there nothing better than seeing on a billboard “THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE” while listening and watching Bad Bunny hand his Grammy to a young boy and holding a football after calling out countries that make up “TOGETHER, WE ARE AMERICA”
All the while showing exactly who he is by posting a hissy fit versus watching that other show that Franklin Graham seemed to be so joyful over being available with Kid Rock and his pack performing… Believe Joe Scarborough responded in his X post the best way “Young ladies, young ladies, I like 'em underage, see. Some say that's statutory." -Kid Rock
Loved halftime show. Im 77 white female. Didn't understand all but obviously my Duolingo is working. Bad Bunny is full of love even after the way he's been treated. Trump is the epitome of hate
I had that same feeling - looking at the Super Bowl (on a field in Santa Clara not SF) - I realized that although the haters and corrupt ones have the power right now - we the people have the real power and there are far more of us. Watching that and the Olympics and seeing how we can still honor and be proud of our America - because we represent the real America - not the cruel regime. They might have the power, but we have the people and we will prevail.
It's so interesting that you write this. As I was watching, the very thought came into my head...that we are watching the future. That with all the horrors we are witnessing, our spanish speaking friends, neighbors, and fellow countrymen will prevail. And, it's people like you and your readers who will continue to embrace them.
Such a beautiful piece John. Especially the piece about continuing the hard work. This inspiration of fighting for this love is what I needed today says the Minnesotan now ready for what this week brings. But ya know the weather is much better this week so gotta go make some more Pretti Good trouble.
Beyond the lyrics and celebration is a Greater Truth of Divine LOVE Themselves…and now I recall King David casting off his royal robes and dancing in a plain white ephod (undergarment). Perhaps some of you too noticed divine parallels?
The blending and integration of cultures, colors, countries and continents takes hard work and time. It is oftentimes difficult but the rewards are great. The basis is love, non violence, concern for our fellow man…Ghandi, Mandel, King.
I was raised in a very diverse, though small, town in the MA, CT, RI border area. We had a wealth of ethnicities: Greek, Italian, French, Polish, Irish, Romanian, and Puerto Rican, which was around 25% of our total population. I remember their exuberance for life, for community, for celebration. Even though among the poorest of residents they always seemed to have a smile on their faces. They loved celebration and were among the biggest supporters of the area churches festivals.
My aunt, an artist, collaborated with a local author to highlight the first family of each ethnicity that made up the fabric of our town. We were impressed to find that our long time Hispanic friends were the first Puerto Rican family to grace our town. The child my family was closest to, and have known for 60 years, Tee, has called our mother on every holiday since he became an adult. Never missing a single one in over 40 years, and always starting with the silly line: "do you know who this is?", a ritual beloved by both my mom and him. This is love, this is life, this is what we cherish.
Though our paths rarely cross in our busy lives, when we do bump into each other we just take up the conversation where we left off, like we had just seen each other the week before. Sadly my mom is now in hospice, nearing life's end. At 97 her dementia has progressed but she still remembers her friend Tee, still looked forward to his Christmas morning call, still remembered who he was when he asked his silly question: "do you know who this is".
Sharon, what a beautiful post! The community you describe is the community I want to live in. And not just my community but world. Thank you so much for your post - you provided an inspiring start to my day!
Thank you for this. As a family of musicians, only two of whom studied Spanish in school, we understood clearly what was being said throughout. It was extremely well done theatre as well as musicianship that did, indeed, tell a story very different from the false narrative strewn about and amplified as political capital by too many. Bad Bunny, not just a musician with great success but a man of extraordinary character, activism and charitable work and American who threw hope and love like spiked touchdowns while only 4.5 million people watched that alternative show focused on racism and hate. Less than the number of people who voted for Trump in Texas, as some have put it. Not financially worth putting on such a show. But that wasn't their point. I'm thrilled Bad Bunny sang in Spanish, true to his recordings and first ever Spanish language album Grammy nomination and Win. He's only English words spoken "God Bless America" and a football with words "Together we are America", and the Jumbotrons reading "The Only Thing More Powerful Than Hate is Love". We understood EVERYTHING. And it was full of love and hope. Filled our cups to carry on!
Yes!
Between his upbeat performance and the great attendance when the "Walk for Peace" monks share their story, I have been inspired. So many people are realizing that love is the ONLY answer. Thanks for what you are doing to spread the word.
Well said. Thank you. 🥰
Art will save the world. Always has. Always will.
It kind of reminds me of John Byer's (the X-Files) recurring dream of an America where JFK was never assassinated, except so much work has been done since then. There is still far too much that has been undone, and must be redone, but it's nice to get a glimmer of what could be. People will pick this show apart and criticize it because it didn't have subtitles and had girls shaking their booties (which halftime show in the last 20 years HASN'T?), but to me it appeared to be about love as the bottom line (pun intended).
So well said.. along with
“You won without changing the color of your voice. You won without erasing your roots. You won by staying true to Puerto Rico.” ~ Ricky Martin on Bad Bunny’s achievements ahead of the Super Bowl.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? | Lady Gaga Original
https://youtu.be/e3o5FIXoK84?si=qFrTHbANwhOQSpSu
Karol G, Pedro Pascal, Cardi B Lady GaGa, Ricky Martin and More Make Surprise Cameos in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl performance. From Pedro Pascal to Karol G, all of the celebs wanted to be in Bad Bunny's casita for his Super Bowl halftime performance!
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1GRND2MHPi/?mibextid=wwXIfr
My favorite moment was when Bad Bunny reminded every kid that no matter your skin color, no matter the language you speak, no matter where you're from, no matter WHO tries to stop you...America is STILL the place where ANYONE can rise to the very top.
Is there nothing better than seeing on a billboard “THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE” while listening and watching Bad Bunny hand his Grammy to a young boy and holding a football after calling out countries that make up “TOGETHER, WE ARE AMERICA”
All the while showing exactly who he is by posting a hissy fit versus watching that other show that Franklin Graham seemed to be so joyful over being available with Kid Rock and his pack performing… Believe Joe Scarborough responded in his X post the best way “Young ladies, young ladies, I like 'em underage, see. Some say that's statutory." -Kid Rock
Enjoy.
Loved halftime show. Im 77 white female. Didn't understand all but obviously my Duolingo is working. Bad Bunny is full of love even after the way he's been treated. Trump is the epitome of hate
I had that same feeling - looking at the Super Bowl (on a field in Santa Clara not SF) - I realized that although the haters and corrupt ones have the power right now - we the people have the real power and there are far more of us. Watching that and the Olympics and seeing how we can still honor and be proud of our America - because we represent the real America - not the cruel regime. They might have the power, but we have the people and we will prevail.
It's so interesting that you write this. As I was watching, the very thought came into my head...that we are watching the future. That with all the horrors we are witnessing, our spanish speaking friends, neighbors, and fellow countrymen will prevail. And, it's people like you and your readers who will continue to embrace them.
Well said, once again!
Such a beautiful piece John. Especially the piece about continuing the hard work. This inspiration of fighting for this love is what I needed today says the Minnesotan now ready for what this week brings. But ya know the weather is much better this week so gotta go make some more Pretti Good trouble.
Love is easier to give than hate. Be defiantly loving.
As always perfect
Beyond the lyrics and celebration is a Greater Truth of Divine LOVE Themselves…and now I recall King David casting off his royal robes and dancing in a plain white ephod (undergarment). Perhaps some of you too noticed divine parallels?
The blending and integration of cultures, colors, countries and continents takes hard work and time. It is oftentimes difficult but the rewards are great. The basis is love, non violence, concern for our fellow man…Ghandi, Mandel, King.