I usually have little interest in most of the halftime shows. I may see bits and pieces, especially now that they are all over the internet. Michael Jackson (Super Bowl XXVII) is the last time I remember making the effort to watch. I was not very interested in the "Up With People" performances during my childhood & teen years, either. Since the "wardrobe malfunction" of the 2004 Super Bowl, I definitely have not watched a live performance. Not even Prince in 2007; I watched video later.
I looked up Bad Bunny & have zero interest in watching him perform. He's one musician out of thousands I normally don't listen to, originally because I had never heard of him, but I have now listened to some of his music and he's not someone I am likely to listen to again. I am not "boycotting" him. I don't care if he is Puerto Rican; my children and their descendants have Puerto Rican ancestry. (By the way, my married last name is through my former husband's paternal Filipino ancestry.) I don't care if he sings in Spanish; I know a handful of Spanish words (which is more than my husband knew. He also did not speak Tagalog.) so I am unlikely to understand him, but there is Spanish music I enjoy. Frankly, after the lyrics I read of one song, I am thankful I could not mentally translate his vocals. He has a beautiful voice, but I dislike the message.
I admit, I have been confused by seeing angry and sarcastic remarks of, "Bad Bunny is American! 😠" After all, "American" has never been a requirement for any performer that I am aware of on any program. Then I saw that Turning Point USA is promoting their "All-American Halftime Show."
THAT helped clarify. Some people have chosen, either innocently or deliberately, to ignore the intended meaning of the phrase "All-American." It has nothing to do with nationality in this case. Honest, wholesome, hardworking, and moral have become words offensive to some people, but that has been the implied attributes for most of my life. It is clearly evident that people have varying definitions for honest, wholesome, hardworking, and moral!
To be fair, no one wants to be criticized. That is understandable, but it's also hard to have a reasonable conversation when people have vastly different interpretations of what words actually mean. Unfortunately, I love consistency, and hate that some words do change their meanings either slightly or completely. The reasons behind the changes also vary. I hear people shout accusations using words that obviously have a different meaning for them than they do for me. I honestly think some people just grab a word that has a negative implication and throws it out as an insult. This isn't new, but is growing more common...and frustrating. This is further complicated by not knowing if whomever is posting is an actual human. I also have never kept up with "slang" or popular phrases that come and go as varying groups want to have their personal impact in the world.
There is an excellent chance I will be watching the TPUSA special since the performers are most likely ones I listen to often...and the chance of me being interested in the Super Bowl game, halftime show, or even the commercials (gasp!) are very slim. However, it is certainly not to be defiant or boycott, or to score points against any person, group, or organization.
I do wish this wasn't being promoted as an "alternative" halftime show since I am sick of every single thing that happens being a combative issue. I have opinions...STRONG OPINIONS 😉... but not in the mood to argue with random strangers who are determined to find fault in every single opinion that does not align with their personal (or copied word-for-word) opinion. I don't even agree with all of the people who are on "my side" of the issue. Honestly, I must confess...I simply do not care if you watch SUPER BOWL LX, TurningPointUSA, reruns of "I Love Lucy," read a book, go to church, go bowling, take a walk, listen to Beethoven, or any number of other activities (that aren't harming anyone).
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