Spanish National Anthem

At times, our g everywherenmental and cultural landscape can seem analogous an endless parade of divisive controversy. We can non agree, so wherefore not disagreeand disagree loudly? The in vogue(p) war of debate and rhetoric centers around the battlefront of illegal aliens within our coarses borders. Should they proceed? Should they go? While the subjects themselves protest in the streets, individuals of each(prenominal) creeds and colors are waging a ping-pong of protests across air waves and across coffee tables. Through these spunky arguments, a symbol of the nations subdivision has emerged, andironically enoughit is wiz of the core symbols of the States itself.The current battleground in the illegal immigration debate concerns the recent release of a Spanish version of the get together States home(a) hymn. Titled Nuestro Himno (Our hymn), the controversial transformation of The Star-Spangled touchstone is being produced by Urban Box Office chairwoman and Britis h-born ex Kidron it is being performed by popular Latin stars much(prenominal) as Wyclef Jean, Pitbull, Olga Tanon, and Carlos Ponce (Associated Press, 2006). Is this supplanting an attempt at the Statesn assimilation, as its defenders claim? I bank that the answer is no. If the phone call were a unbent attempt at honoring America, it might be realizeable. However, Nuestro Himno is nothing more than a political light beam whose purpose is more division. Further, it is an indirect assault on one of our nations most spiritual symbols.The songs producer defends its release by claiming that it is a authority for more slewto understand and learn the case anthem Theres no attempt to usurp anything. The intent is to devolve.and in any case express to express gratitude and patriotism to the United States.However, in the very same interview, Kidron (the producer) reveals a deeper purport I wishinged to show my thanks to these people (who).do the jobs I dont want to do (Associ ated 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? wherefore are a large chunk of the scratch produced by the song going to immigration groups?why did the record label encourage Latin-themed radiocommunication send to concurrently play the song at a certain time, in a show of solidarity? wherefore do many 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 have, not aggravate, advances one Latin radio host.An immigration web magazine writer adds, If you want to say all those things, by all means, swan them on your poster board, yet dont put them on the subject field anthem (Associated Press, 2006). And what things is the latter(prenominal) referring to? It seems that in June the song p ass on be released as a remix, and several lines will be added to the song, including These kids go no parents, cause all of these mean laws lets not start a war with all these nasty workers, they cant help where they were born (Wides-Munoz, 2006). This remix begs the question, When did mean laws become an procedural for gratitude and patriotism?This song is not a jubilance or even a mere translation of the internal anthem. It is literal rewriting and bastardization of our countrys symbolic history into a gun 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 stays true to the English-versed national anthem. Following is one excerpt of the translationThe glitter of battle, in step with liberty My people clasp fighting Its time to break the chains At night they said Its being defended Oh say Your starlike beauty is still unfolding. (Online extra, 200 6)How many words do we find in this version that are also included in the original?two.Could 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 read 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 exclusively another coded ode to illegalimmigrants?The Star-Spangled Banner is a festivity of all that America stands for. Its authorpoured these lyrics out of his psyche in a burst of inspiration. Something stirred intimate him as hewitnessed his flag 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 sungin everything from bars to baseball games? Why did the song formally become our nationalanthem in 1931? It verbalize to the hearts of the American people, and to the soul of America itself.As the president himself says, One of the important things here is that we not unload 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 clear 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(prenominal) symbol (the bald eagle) because some might choosea turkey. We do not alter our national colors because some might be offend by red, white, andblue. And we never, ever compromise our American stateUSA Today/Gallup Poll69%the national anthem should only be sung in EnglishReferencesAssoc iated 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/