Last week an 11 year old boy sang National Anthem prior to
the game 3 of the NBA finals in San Antonio, TX. The Mexican-American boy’s performance led to
raging debates on social media because he wore a Mariachi outfit for the
performance. Some people feel the
Mexican cultural apparel was inappropriate. Others suggest comments about the
young man’s clothing are racist.
What is your opinion in this debate?
Links to the story:
Kara Hall 35
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion it doesn't matter what the singer of the national anthem is wearing. Just because you are wearing an outfit that represents your past culture doesn't make you disrespectful to that country. I feel that the United States is a free country that allows us to express our feelings/actions for multiple things and to give everyone a choice to make their own decisions. Singing the national anthem is showing respect and love to the United States in my thoughts no matter if you are wearing jeans, shorts, or a dress. To state it differently I think that you can have a love for a cultural dress and still loe the United States and sing the national anthem.
Ra'Quayle A64 in response to Kara Hall 35. I agree so much with your statement. Why should we as a nation subject this little boy to public ridicule for what he is wearing? He showed his respect to his country by singing the national anthem. This is a free country. Let him wear his mariachi outfit!
DeleteMary C Online 64
ReplyDeleteThe United States is a giant melting pot, I think that people should be more tolerant towards others cultures.This kid can be proud of his family culture and still be proud of his country.
Eddie W.
ReplyDeleteThe kid sang the American national anthem and did so in English, his clothing is symbolic to his heritage as a Mexican american. Not offended in anyway.
mary c online 64
DeleteI agree with you
Chris C. 27
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone that's posted so far. The boy sang the U.S. National Anthem in English. The child is proud to be an American. He is also proud of his heritage (his outfit). I believe it is no different than a southerner flying a confederate flag, a person of Irish decent celebrating St. Patrick's Day, or anyone else celebrating their heritage.
Exactly. What does it matter what clothing he is wearing? Hes a little kid and loves his little suit im sure.
DeleteCasie m.replied
Joseph C. 54
ReplyDeleteI believe the performance by the young boy was courageous. It takes a lot of cultural pride for one to sing a national anthem of another culture while representing his own culture, being the mariachi suit. The young boy is supporting his beliefs and culture. How is it racist if he sang in English with flawless emotions pouring out of his performance and did a dang good job? Wouldn't you think if he were racist that he would have sang in Spanish? The narrow-mindedness of the people who think a 10 year old is being racist simply by showing his cultural pride is outrageous. I commend the young boy.
Wanda B. 65 in response to Joseph C. 54
DeleteI truly agree with your comments. America the big melting pot of all people can be narrow minded when the want to dictate what is American pride and what is not.I hope the young man do not stop singing because of the ignorant .
Joseph Crowe 54 in response to Chris C 27
ReplyDeleteChris has made the most valid point in all the post I have seen so far by stating that it is no different then a southerner waving the confederate flag or the irish man on St. Patty's day. The united states is all about different cultures coming together to express their views in a polite way in which others can accept, thus being call the "melting pot" of the world.
Charles W 64
ReplyDeleteI believe that the boy had the right to wear an outfit that was relative to his heritage. Although they outfit should have at least had colors that reflected the nation, or having him have a flag pin on the jacket. Then the outfit would have been showing his pride for his culture and still being representative of the country he was singing the national anthem for.
JudithB.60 reply to Charles W 64
DeleteCharles have you listened to him?
For a child his age, its a great feat, honor and pride.
If his Mariachi outfit reflected American colors, it would no longer reflect Mariachi from Mexico now, would it?
As for a flag pin, it would not have been seen from the stage, its too small for any significance.
The American flag was right there right next to him on the court
Jedd D. Online 64
DeleteI am strongly agreeing with you one this one. The topic here is about the boy who wore his cultural apparel while singing the National Anthem of the United State and not about his singing nor his voice because I know many people heard him sing will agree on me that he sang it with such passion and dignity. However, when a person sing the National Anthem of his/her nation, they should dress accordingly for they are representing their nation. This may not be a big deal for some, but National Anthem should be respected for it has so many histories and as I stated above you are representing your nation and its tradition with principles.
Elizabeth.A 65 I think we should give the boy "Kudos" for having the boldness to stand in front of so many people with his Mexican outfit, and sang the American National Anthem in english.The boy is proud of America, and also does not want to forget where he came from.
ReplyDeleteJennifer P. 60
ReplyDeleteI feel the boy was proud of both were he came from and were he is now. I don't feel at all that it was inappropriate. He was very courageous and proud. The Mariachi is part of his culture.
Jennifer P.60 in respones to Elizabeth.A 65
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Elizabeth I feel the boy has great courage and is very bold. He is definitly proud of his culture and proud of america.
Maria T. (65 )
ReplyDeleteI believe that the boy was only showing that he is not only proud of his culture as a Mexican but also proud to be an American. I am proud of him, that he is able to adapt and integrate both his culture in the said event.
Abdulbari S.64
DeleteGreat observation, I totally agreed with your point about his trying to integrate the two cultures that he has been exposed to.
Wanda B.65
ReplyDeleteI believe the young man did a great job of singing the National Anthem. Most people do not even know all the words to it. And he had every right to wear what he wanted to wear. He was only showing that he still love his Mexican culture. I think he did a get job for a child his age in front of all the people and went back to do it again spite of the negative response from some people over the mean social media.
JudithB.60
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the "haters' would post if a Native American, or a Cowboy indigenous to the American culture, sang the National Anthem?
None of the other cultures apart from the native American (red Indian) can claim homage to this Great Land.
This Lands belongs to Immigrants who all have the same rights as any other, the young man included.
He is a citizen with a right to reflect his heritage.
Come on haters, what say you?
Jedd D. 64
ReplyDeleteThis may not be important to some, but singing the National Anthem should represent your country and it has stories to tell the people. Stories on how this Nation became. Although I admire the boy for singing it with so much passion and dignity, but base in my own opinion, I believe it was unnecessary to wear his cultural apparel. Yes, I am aware that he is a Mexican-American and I believe that he is not being racist at all, and that he maybe just proud of his heritage. However, we stand up and put our right hand on our chest when we sing our National Anthem because we respect it, because we know the history of our flag and our nation. From where I grew up and came from, singing our National Anthem should be proper and appropriate, because according to the Republic Act 8491 Of the Republic of the Philippines, "Reverence and respect shall at all time be accorded the flag, the anthem, and other national symbols which embody the national ideas and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity."http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/phil-fast-facts/culture-profile-cultural-laws-ra8491.php Moreover, I respect the opinions of others,but for some other people that are rich in culture and value it, it maybe a little inappropriate.
Opeyemi B. 60.
ReplyDeleteIn my own opinion, the young’s man Mariachi outfit did not communicate racist. The Mariachi outfit is just showing his cultural heritage from Mexico. Obviously, he is a Mexican-American. He shares culture that belong to the two Nations. He had Mariachi outfit and he speaks English. Language is a culture because it also defines you. The young man sang the National Anthem in English perfectly but not in Spanish! “ kudos young man”.
Lori D. 64:
ReplyDeleteFirst, kudos to the young man for having the courage to stand in front of an audience and sing! That is something I could never do myself. As for the controversy surrounding what he chose to wear, I just don't understand why it is such an issue. He was performing in Texas, a state that borders Mexico and has a very mixed American-Mexican population. I think it was fantastic that he chose to honor both his American and Mexican heritage. I don't think, though, that just because someone states an opinion about his clothing necessarily makes the comments racist - we are all entitled to our opinion, and in this great country we are very fortunate to have the right to express that opinion. People shouldn't have to worry about whether their comments will be perceived as racist.
Sarah B 65 in response to Lori D 64
DeleteI think that you bring up a good point about his location and the cultural diversity of the area.
Most of us tend to forget that Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California were all part of Mexico for a LONG Time. When we purchased these lands, the Mexicans who lived there were all of a sudden Americans. It doesn't mean that we forced them out along with all of their traditions and customs. Those people of Mexican-American descent are just as American as someone from Michigan or Pennsylvania. As a country, we should all learn to appreciate and include those aspects of our cultural history.
Lori D. 64 In response to Wanda B. 65:
ReplyDeleteI agree with Wanda - the young man should be praised for his willingness to get back up there and sing again after all of the controversy.
Leidy Marulanda
ReplyDeleteI do not think this kid put himself out there, I believe that someone asked him to sing. I think these debates are going to make him famous because now almost every single person in the United States knows him for what he did. Also, the kid who was supposed to sing the national anthem canceled at the last minute, so whose fault is ti.
Winifred Chukwu
ReplyDeleteAmerica is a mixture of different cultures...singing the american anthem with his traditional out fit (maricah) doesnt mean anything...he is simply proud of his culture and happy to be an american too...
Joshua erving
ReplyDeleteIm not offended in any way. The young man was just singing the national anthem. he is a Mexican American...would it have been better if he had stars and stripes in the mariachi?
How absolutely courageous of this young man and his family! I am from a different country and I know for a fact that my mom would have had us in suits and gowns for such a performance. People from other cultures are typically afraid to show that they are still proud of their heritage. They are scared of the backlash and folks who would make them feel like they are being ungrateful to this wonderful country. I feel that America has come a long way and is for the most part, very accepting of others people's cultures...as long as you don't try to change or influence theirs.
ReplyDeleteFor those who feel that the boy should have worn a different attire, what do you feel would have been more appropriate?
Abdulbari S. 64
ReplyDeleteAmerica is a multi culturally society and as long as we can communicate effectively and understand each other, what someone wears shouldn’t over shadow the purpose of our being a nation of unity. In my opinion, what the little boy had on doesn’t give a different meaning to the National Anthem he was singing. Showing respect and love for a nation comes from within not the physical appearance and it takes a great effort to memorize the nation Anthem of a nation like ours. I give the boy an A for singing the anthem and the same time showing us the practice of freedom in America.
Brandy W. 64
ReplyDeleteCouple of things I am very encouraged that this generation is coming to realize that culture is important but it's not how we should define people. Humans should be looked at as humans not Mexican, Chinese, or South African, culture can change waht we do but we all have the basic human needs. Secondly I wish this was my kid! He is so dorable! But to stay on topic I wish I could show my facial reaction to this post and articles I just read. Recognizing that America is built upon so many different races is vital. America was built through the Irish, Scottish, English...all these make up America.So let the boy sing in his Miriachi suit, or his Pakastainian outfit, the anthem helps us to remeber what its like to be free! Let him be free as a Mexican-American!
REPLY TO JUDITH B. 60
ReplyDeleteVery cleaver statement!I completely agree that someon would have had something negative to say!
Brandy W. 64
Brittany Matarazzo Online 64
ReplyDeleteI really don't think that it matters what the singer was wearing. First of all, the kid is 11 years old. Second of all, it is San Antonio; mariachi bands are very big down there. I probably would have worn it too if I was asked to sing the national anthem in San Antonio. I would probably get talked about considering I am not a Latino. He is Mexican-AMERICAN. I think this poor kids' outfit choice is getting thrown around in the mud and it doesn't have to be. His name is in the press and I am sure he didn't even dress himself. Singing the National Anthem at at the NBA Finals in SAN ANTONIO; I think he had a stylist that picked out an outfit for him. This has been blown completely out of proportion. We are focusing more on the outfit he was wearing and how racist it was and not focusing on his voice and the game!
Stephanie T. (65)
ReplyDeletePersonally, I do not think it matter what he wore. He is a native of America. I can see why people are upset as well. Some viewed it as disrespect because it was the national anthem and felt like he should have been wearing red, white, and blue. I think he wore it because it represented both of his heritages, not to offend anyone.
I don't think it matter what he wore while singing our national anthem. He is too little to understand racism. He wore what his parents told him to wear. He was probably just aware that the outfit was from his background but he didn't understand the signifance of the costume.
ReplyDeletes.hammer
D. Fretwell 64
ReplyDeleteWe all came from somewhere else, if we care to take a look at our heritage, that being said, I believe it is possible, even common for people to be proud of their heritage and still be a proud American. I think people who take issue with a young boy wearing clothes from his culture are steeped in fear brought on by the illegal immigrant debate. There are so many more important issues to be concerned with these days. I am neither offended,or afraid of a small child singing the national anthem in his cultural garb. We are more alike than different, that should be our focus.
Carter Bragg
ReplyDeletePersonally i do not see a problem with the young man representing his heritage. What he could have done though is wear a red, white and blue mariachi suit and that would have been even better. The fact that people are actually upset about this is mind boggling, he is a Mexican-American, and to be technical, Mexican comes first.
Carter Bragg
Sara A. 64
ReplyDeleteAMERICA is all about freedom of speech. Maybe this is how the young boy wants to express himself. It is not like the suit was disrespectful. It would be a completely different story is it was disrespectful.
Hostencia A.
ReplyDeleteAmerica is made up of so many different cultures that if put together will look like a bowl of salad,and every on is free to express his or her self.So he is first a Mexican before being an American.I don't see any thing wrong in what he did. So people should stop using the microscope to judge others.
Samantha Y. 65
ReplyDeleteWho cares what someone wears to sing the National Anthem! It plainly states in the song that this in the land of the free, so in my opion the boy is free to wear whatever he would like. Everyone needs to quit making such a fuss over minor things and worry about the major things.
Matthew B. 64 in response to Samantha Y 65.
DeleteThat is what being American is all about. The freedom to express yourself and your beliefs.
Brittany M. online 64 in response to Samantha Y. 65
DeleteI completely agree with you! This is such a minor thing to complain about. People just have to find something to nit pick about!
Samantha Y. 65
ReplyDeleteIn repy to Sara A.64
I completely agree with you. America is suppose to be all about freedom of speech, but evidently not it this case. The little boy should be able to wear whatever he wants without everyone making a big deal about.
Joysline N. 98
ReplyDeleteI think the boy did a very good job. His outfit should not be a problem here, he should be free to put on any cloths he wants. America is a free country so people should stop worrying about his style of dressing and look into the amazing voice he has.
Tanja K. 64
ReplyDeleteI think everybody should have the right to wear whatever he or she wants to wear. The fact that the little boy was singing the national anthem makes the situation a little bit tricky, but I think it just reflects the America we live in today. Mixed cultures are living together who can have a national pride for their heritage and for the country they call their home. People tend to focus on what he was wearing, but in my opinion they also need to focus on what he was singing which was the national anthem for the United States of America.
Tanja K. 64 in reply to Stephanie T. 65:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I don't think he was trying to offend anybody. I think he was just showing his pride for both of his countries. The one he lives in and the one his family is from.
I do not understand how this is even close to something that can be called racist. He represented his heritage thats all. in my opinion he was just showing pride in where his family originates, and by singing the national anthem he is showing pride in where he is from
ReplyDeleteElizabeth.A.65 In response to Judith.B. 60 "Haters." Becareful, we are all the same in God's eyes. Image of God remember. Thank you Judith I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI was not offended in any way shape or form by what the little boy wore to the national anthem. We as a country are a multitude of different races and ethnicities. We are German, Haitian, Brazilian, Puerto Rican, Swiss, and even Chinese. When more individuals accept that we are a melting pot of different cultures then we can be truly be a nation. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
ReplyDeleteA64
DeleteMatthew B. 64
ReplyDeleteI was not offended by what the boy wore, however, I do feel that even though THIS country is a free country, you should still show love and support for it when you are singing the national anthem. I guess thats what living in America is all about thought right. The freedom to express yourself.
I'm not offended by the boy's outfit. Expressing yourself freely is what makes us different from other countries. Now if he song the song in Spanish that maybe could have been a debate. America is a country with many subcultures, and everybody relating to them is a ongoing process.
ReplyDeleteMary T. 64
ReplyDeleteI think that this was just a bunch of ignorant people over reacting. A lot of comments were saying that he needed to go back to Mexico, but he was born and raised in the United States. The boy simply is proud of his culture and wanted to wear something that he is comfortable wearing. I think that some people need to do some research one someone or situation before going off the deep end and posting comments on the internet that are inaccurate. The United States is all about uniting different cultures and some people are just too ignorant to understand that. The United States was made by different immigrants so why should anyone make comments about his culture?
Reply to Matthew B. 64
ReplyDeleteThe boy was born and raised in the United States. He was just wearing what he always wears and what he was comfortable in. I think that him singing the national anthem in his cultural attire is wonderful and shows how accepting the United States is. I also think him singing the national anthem is enough for him to show pride to his country.
Mary T. 64
Amanda B. 64
ReplyDeleteWhat does it matter what he wore? He nailed it. It was a hell of alot better than other well know people and professional singers. What about their attire? Whitney Houston's performance was absolutely amazing, vocally, but she wore a tracksuit. I feel if you're going to be performing a song like the national anthem you should dress your best, and to Sebastien, his Mariachi outfit just might be what he see as his best.
Amanda B. 64 Reply to Akil Williams
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. We should dress and be able to represent our cultures without any negativity. To sing our national anthem in another language would be wrong. I highly doubt you would find an American-Mexican singing the Mexican national anthem in Mexico in English.
Keli J. 65
ReplyDeleteI wasn't offended by the young man's outfit, if anything I am offended by how so many people could be so cruel or judgmental to a child. He was representing his culture and where he was from. No matter what someone wears or what that say there will always be someone with an opinion. America is full of critics, and social media is just an outlet where cowards post the unsolicited opinions. The only things that should matter is he remembered the words to the song and he did a great job singing.
Yes, I agree anyone can be a critic who have no business being one. He did a great job, especially after the fact millions of people would be watching him.
DeleteKeli J. 65 in response to Sara A.
ReplyDeleteYour right nothing about it was disrespectful it was done in a very nice manner, he looked great and sounded nice.
I don't see how anyone can say that it was racist for the boy to wear the clothes of his culture. As long as he sang all the words and did a great job of it then I don't see the problem.
ReplyDeleteKeli J. 65
ReplyDeleteI compete agree. People are so quick to judge people for anything. I would love to see all these people that have something to ay about how he was dress even get up there and sing a note. Focus on the things that really matter and the way he was dressed is not one of them.
I have a split decision on this topic. I think you should were our countries colors while singing the national anthem. But seeming It was a child, he was just representing his culture. He did not sing it in Spanish, so there shouldn't be an issue.
ReplyDeleteI can argue both ways.
It shouldn't matter what he wears because all cultures believe in the words of the song. People from other countries come here because of what the song represents, some lose their life for it still, just like they did when the song was created.
DeleteStephanie T.(65) to Kellie J.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. I think it is wrong to judge a child. Children are sensitive and I think it is borderline bullying.
I don't see anything wrong with the outfit the performer was wearing. It is after all a musicians uniform.
ReplyDeleteSarah B 65
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't see a problem with the boy being of Hispanic descent, I can easily see how wearing another culture's attire during the performance of the National Anthem could be insulting. Could he have picked a better outfit that says "America", sure. However, I don't think his clothes warrant all the fuss that been generated around his performance. I feel bad for the child. He did a good job, and probably had nothing to do with what he wore.
KaraH.35
DeleteI agree with you Sarah, I don't feel that the clothes he wore effected his performance. Also, do we agree with all musicians with what they wear when they do a performance. I don't think we can make everyone happy at all times.
Our country is made up of different cultures within our American culture which to me shows how strong we are as a society, I' not offended.
DeleteAmerica is a melting pot of many cultures. I do not understand how wearing a mariachi outfit can be racist when it is obviously a part of this boy's heritage. I doubt there is a single person who lives in the "UNITED" States of America that belongs to a SINGLE race. It is almost like the Cheerios commercial that casted a multi-racial family. How can there be so many closed-minded people in a country that prides itself on the liberty they give to their citizens and freedom from oppression. Is it really a crime to be proud of where you come from? America would not be what it is, if it were not for all the different countries that came together and shared something from there home and themselves. All the different foods that we enjoy, the colors, music, dance, everything about the United States is a product of our variety. So what is so wrong about a boy singing a song about pride and freedom in his culture's attire, when they also believe in the words that he sang? Isn't that why the song was written, to instill hope?
ReplyDeleteJennifer B. Online 97
ReplyDeleteI believe that the boy was in the right to wear the Mariachi outfit while singing the national anthem. He is representing his country with pride by singing the National Anthem at a revered event such as this game and if he also wants to relate to his family and those local to SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS it should be looked up to, verses taken offensively.
Tiffaney Davis
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, he shouldn't have worn that. I personally feel as if he or his family was trying to make a statement against America. This is insulting to the American Culture. His Hispanic culture doesn't relate to the American culture so it doesn't make much sense for him to wear this.
Maria T (65) in response to Wanda B. 65
ReplyDeleteI agree, this young should be praised for how he is showing his love for Mexican culture but also the American culture.
AndreaA.98
ReplyDeleteI feel the comments are racist. His appearl has nothing to do with his proformace.