Why The Fuss?

What's the big deal about Latinos singing "The Star Spangled Banner" in Spanish? Would it be a crime for Anglos to go to Mexico and sing their national song in English? And just because a few Anglos sing that song in English, does that change the entire landscape of Mexico's national song? Give me a break.

You know what I think it is? I think some Anglos are jealous. Why? Spanish is one of the romance languages, along with French and Italian. Notice the three languages I mentioned. English is not one of them. They're beautiful languages. Anyone who thinks otherwise is in pure denial. I don't care if I understand what they're saying or not or if they're flat out insulting me, what they say in one of those languages will sound more beautiful and sexy than a person telling me in English that they love me.

We sing the Canadian national anthem sometimes, at baseball, basketball, and hockey games. They're our neighbors up north. What harm would it do to give our neighbors from down south something to sing? Heck, the Canadian song is their own. What Latinos are singing is "The Star Spangled Banner," only in Spanish. It's not like their singing some kind of hate song about America. They're singing our national anthem.

Some people get scared of anything, also. Some will go crazy and say, "You see? You see what I was talking about? Those Mexicans are trying to steal our song! They're trying to make it their song! It's not their song! It's our song! They can't have it! Sing it in English!" Yeah, yeah, yeah. What, are they idiots? Do they think, that with 70% Anglos in this country, that we're suddenly going to change the language of our national anthem from English to Spanish? Whatever buddy. That'd be like Canada singing their song in Polish. Not going to happen. So, please, give it a rest. If they want to sing "our" song in Spanish, let them. Spanish is a more beautiful language than English anyway. If you're jealous that you can't speak a romance language, then learn. Heck, learn their version of "The Star Spangled Banner," sing it at a ball game, roll your r's (I can't do that! Ugh!), and trust me, you'll be impressing people left and right (front and back also, and diagonally, I guess). Guys, if you speak to a woman in one of the three romance languages fluently (whether it makes sense or not, unless she's fluent in the language as well, then make sure it makes sense), then she's all yours. Ladies, same to you. And I hear so many people saying, "Learn English! Speak English!" Blah blah blah. Most people in this country have learned some English, regardless of where they're from. Why can't we get off our lazy bums and learn some Spanish? We're neighbors. Let's try understanding one another.

So, please, let's not fight or argue about this. It's silly to upset about this issue or non-issue as I think of it. The Latinos are not taking over, are not transforming "The Star Spangled Banner." They're just trying to show their love and respect for this country in their native tongue.