Spanish National Anthem

At snips, our policy-making and cultural landscape can seem like an eonian parade of divisive controversy. We can non agree, so why not disaccordand disagree loudly? The latest war of debate and rhetoric centers around the forepart of illegal aliens within our countrys borders. Should they stay? Should they go? enchantment the subjects themselves protest in the streets, individuals of tot tout ensembley creeds and colors ar waging a table tennis of protests across air waves and across coffee tables. Through these spirited arguments, a symbol of the nations division has emerged, andironic solelyy enoughit is bingle of the core symbols of the States itself.The current battleground in the illegal in-migration debate concerns the recent qualifying of a Spanish indication of the linked States national anthem. Titled Nuestro Himno (Our Anthem), the controversial exposition of The Star-Spangled Banner is world produced by Urban Box Office president and British-born Adam Kidr on it is being per soured by popular Latin stars such as Wyclef Jean, Pitbull, Olga Tanon, and Carlos Ponce (Associated Press, 2006). Is this variant an act at American assimilation, as its defenders claim? I call back that the answer is no. If the melody were a true attempt at honoring America, it might be dateable. However, Nuestro Himno is nothing more than a political tool whose purpose is more division. Further, it is an indirect assault on whiz of our nations most taboo symbols.The strains producer defends its release by claiming that it is a remembers for more communityto understand and learn the national anthem Theres no attempt to usurp anything. The intent is to communicate.and also express to express gratitude and patriotism to the United States.However, in the very same interview, Kidron (the producer) reveals a deeper intention I wanted to show my thanks to these people (who).do the jobs I dont want to do (Associated Press, 2006). This song is being released less as an ode to America and more of an ode to illegal immigrants. If not, then why was the songs release timed to coincide with the immigration protests and Congress debates about illegal immigration? Why are a large chunk of the profits produced by the song going to immigration groups?Why did the record label make headway Latin-themed radio stations to concurrently play the song at a certain time, in a show of solidarity? Why do numerous of these radio station employees (whom one would expect to be the strongest supporters) question the motives of the song? We should be trying to catch, not aggravate, pleads one Latin radio host.An immigration web magazine writer adds, If you want to say all those things, by all means, put them on your poster board, but dont put them on the national anthem (Associated Press, 2006). And what things is the latter referring to? It seems that in June the song will be released as a remix, and several lines will be added to the song, including The se kids have no parents, cause all of these mean laws lets not expire a war with all these hard workers, they cant help where they were born (Wides-Munoz, 2006). This remix begs the question, When did mean laws fail an adjective for gratitude and patriotism?This song is not a exultation or even a mere translation of the national anthem. It is verbal rewriting and bastardization of our countrys symbolic history into a weapon of political propaganda. Sure, pop, rock, and country versions of the anthem may exist, but all of these versions honor the words of the song. Yet not one verse of Nuestro Himno cincture true to the English-versed national anthem. Following is one excerpt of the translationThe fall of battle, in step with liberty My people keep fighting Its time to break the chains At night they said Its being defended Oh say Your starry beauty is still unfolding. (Online extra, 2006)How many words do we note in this version that are also included in the original?two.Coul d anyone even say (without deep examination) which verse of the national anthem thistranslation derives from? Sad to say, the first question which enters my mind upon reading thisverse is who My people are? Is the song remembering the American soldiers who fought fortheir country, as Francis Scott Key did? Or is My people simply another coded ode to illegalimmigrants?The Star-Spangled Banner is a celebration of all that America stands for. Its authorpoured these lyrics out of his intelligence in a scene of inspiration. Something stirred inside him as hewitnessed his tholepin flying proudly, withstanding a night full of bombs and rockets fromenemy forces. The poem (and subsequent song) captured the bravery, loyalty, and independencewhich that flag came to symbolize. Why did these verses survive over a centuryfaithfully interpretin everything from bars to baseball games? Why did the song officially become our nationalanthem in 1931? It spoke to the hearts of the American people, a nd to the soul of America itself.As the president himself says, One of the important things here is that we not miss our nationalsoul (Associated Press, 2006). If we allow our countrys most sacred symbols to be tarnished bypolitics, we will lose. The only way to ensure that does not happen with our national anthem is topreserve it and protect it in the form which its creator intended English. Assimilation meansblending in, and America is for all intents and purposes an English-speaking nation. A Spanishnational anthem does not assimilate our principles it rejects them.We do not change our national animal symbol (the bald-pated eagle) because some might prefera turkey. We do not fudge our national colors because some might be offended by red, white, andblue. And we never, ever compromise our American democracyUSA Today/Gallup pollard69%the national anthem should only be sung in EnglishReferencesAssociated Press. (2006). Oh say can you see the national anthem in Spanish? Retrieved may 2,2006, from CNN.com http//www.cnn.com/2006/US/04/28/anthem.inspanish.ap/Online extra English translation of Spanish-language version of national anthem. (2006).Retrieved May 2, 2006, from Salt Lake Tribune http//www.sltrib.com/ ci_3764054?source=rssWides-Munoz, Laura. (2006). Spanish Star-Spangled Banner draws ire. Retrieved May 2,2006, from My Way News http//apnews.myway.com/article/ 20060428/