Culture is not Controversial

By Srihita Madiraju Apr. 5, 2026

Eleanor Wang Art

Bad Bunny, or Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, stands as one of the biggest artists in the world, generating billions of streams

globally. In a historic moment, he proudly represented Latino culture at the Super Bowl Halftime show, acknowledging America as a continent consisting of many countries instead of simply the United States. His performance was a powerful act of courage as he used the halftime stage to speak up on the ongoing inhumanity of deportation practices and their impact on individuals and communities. The poignant performance was concluded with the message “THE ONLY THING MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE IS LOVE,” a wholesome way to address the controversies regarding his performance.

Just because a performance is “entertainment” does not mean that it cannot convey a critical message. Bad Bunny’s performance was a powerful response to the anti-immigrant rhetoric being spread around the country, providing a much needed reminder to celebrate diverse cultures. Cultural celebration is not inherently political; however, when intersected with topics such as immigration and discrimination, it can become a powerful form of representation. For the millions of Latino viewers who got to see their culture represented on one of the world’s biggest stages, the performance offered a moment of positive visibility— an especially important moment given the discrimination and negative rhetoric Latino communities have faced in recent years, particularly from ICE. His ending statement emphasized

the importance of unity and compassion, reminding viewers that celebrating Puerto Rican and Latin American cultural pride does not have to come at the expense of other groups.

Music can be enjoyed regardless of lyrical understanding. Although Bad Bunny’s performance was in Spanish, the passion and joy he conveyed surpassed language barriers through his usage of vibrant visuals and settings. Performing in his native language allowed him to remain authentic, making it so that he did not have to adapt himself to fit a certain white-centric mold. Different cultures should not have to alter themselves in order to be appreciated on what is supposed to be a global stage.

“Even for viewers who can’t understand Spanish, Bad Bunny’s performance was still a celebration of people living in the United States and a source of entertainment for viewers. Many people also forget that Puerto Rico is still U.S. territory; primarily speaking another language does not make them any less American,” Senior Nainika Srinivasan said.

In response to all the backlash, a separate all-American show featuring Kid Rock was streamed as an alternative ‘Conservative’ halftime show. An attempt to reclaim the stage politically rather than celebrate culture, the show centered on patriotic themes and a familiar style associated with mainstream American visuals. It demonstrated the inability of many Americans to celebrate a culture that is not their own— a narrow, close-minded definition of the American identity.

“The concept of an alternative halftime show felt strange to me, especially considering the fact that there has never been one before until a Latino singer was selected to perform for halftime. Kid Rock’s performance was extremely mediocre, and it seemed more like a way of avoiding Bad Bunny’s performance and exposure to other cultures than actual entertainment,” Junior Amanuel Girma said.

Many past halftime shows have been purely entertainment, with recent examples being Rihanna, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. These shows were full of energy and life and adored by viewers worldwide. However, they can be equally moving when the artist decides to communicate a message that needs to be heard. Last year, Kendrick Lamar’s performance was rooted deeply in the experiences of Black American communities. He utilized visuals of Uncle Sam to suggest the idea of the U.S. system controlling and shaping people while referencing the Civil War and its lasting

legacy of racism. His performance proved to be both a powerful piece of entertainment and a demonstration of the struggles within the Black American identity. Like Lamar, Bad Bunny also used his halftime show to amplify underrepresented voices and communicate a strong message.

Bad Bunny’s choice to go beyond merely entertaining the Super Bowl audience to instead promote unity is admirable. At a time when perspectives regarding immigration and culture are deeply divided, the performance served as a valuable reminder to continue pioneering cultural diversity in the United States.

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About the Contributors

Srihita Madiraju

Staff Writer

Srihita Madiraju is a senior at Leland High School and a staff writer for The Charger Account. When she isn't busy lifeguarding she loves going to the beach with her friends, going on long walks, and reading.

Eleanor Wang

Artist

Eleanor Wang is a Junior at Leland High School and is an artist for The Charger Account. When not working on school work or studying for a test, you can often find her playing video games, singing, or going out with friends.