The latest twist in the immigration debate is the uproar over a music producer releasing a Spanish-language version of the National Anthem.
Not surprisingly, the idea has ignited a firestorm of anger from many people who see the Spanish anthem as a further erosion of American values.
I don't think the anthem is as bad as all that, but I doing strongly believe that it is another example of misguided efforts to draw attention to the plight of illegal immigrants.
To me, it's the same as the uproar over students carrying the Mexican flag as they protested peoples rights to become American citizens. Both show a lack of respect to this country, and neither seem like worthwhile ways to prove you want to be an American.
And at the root, that is what this debate is about. These immigrants, regardless of their country, want to become Americans. They want the freedoms this country continues to fight for, and they want the advantages a free and prosperous society can offer.
I can't fault them for that desire, but I can ask them to recognize that Americans are understandably proud of our flag, proud of anthem and proud of our country. I would invite them to share that pride. Being proud to be an American doesn't mean you have to forget your roots. But it would be nice if once in a while people fighting to be Americans shouted "Viva America!"
As an American citizen, I take the completely opposite view of our anthem being sung in a foreign language. I take it as a compliment -- not a protest. In any langiage, the anthem is a tribute and gives honor to the USA -- not another country.
There's a big difference between carrying the Mexican flag and singing the anthem in Spanish. The flag represents Mexico -- the anthem sung in Spanish is still about the USA.
Maria is right. It is disrepectful to (in my words) take over our national anthem and replace them using Spanish. They have their own anthem and should leave ours alone. If they want to sing our anthem, the real compliment would be to sing it in English as it was designed for the United States of America and its citizens.
I agree with Jade -- that's how I see it as well.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Not to hash this all out at length, but in 1919, the U.S. Bureau of Education commissioned a Spanish-language version of "The Star Spangled Banner." (cite) In fact, the State department has four versions on their webpage.