Hello, readers.
There are always euphemisms and misdirection, and, well, you know I’m not a fan of that.
Let’s dig deeper.
So, call me what you want—bigot, perhaps?
John Kasich really enjoyed Bad Bunny’s halftime show. Meghan McCain did too. A number of conservatives seemed to genuinely appreciate it. Their praise felt almost like a shallow effort to show political independence—predictable and a bit disappointing.
This reaction seemed largely driven by a right-wing contingent that was openly critical of the choice of Bad Bunny for the halftime show. They almost declared a sort of war against it.
Both sides, to be honest, can be grating, but the latter annoys me more. I find it easier to handle the usual complaints from conservatives than to watch people like Kasich trying to appeal to a more liberal audience.
Honestly, my regard for Kasich and McCain is about as high as my nostalgia for that sneaky little mouse next to Jabba the Hutt from when I was a child.
My choice not to watch the show wasn’t politically motivated. It was more grounded in Bunny’s remark a few months prior, where he said I should learn Spanish if I wanted to understand his performance—definitely felt like a dismissal aimed at me.
I might not tune into Telemundo regularly, but I definitely have some Spanish songs on my playlist. But Bunny’s statement came off more as if he was saying, “This isn’t for you.”
And that’s why I skipped it. The viewership reportedly dropped by 39% this year according to Samba TV data, a noticeable decline compared to last year’s numbers.
Before diving into the specifics and economics, I need to clarify something: if you make it clear that your movement opposes me or excludes me, it’s not a moral failure on my part to refrain from participating.
Feel free to label me a bigot; it doesn’t really matter.
This attitude can be observed widely on the political left. Both Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris have campaigned with a tone varying from disdain to outright animosity toward certain demographics.
When their approaches backfired, they shifted blame onto the same groups they had criticized. Statements like “stupid black and Hispanic guys” or “all white people are racist” surfaced.
Much like the push for gender reassignment for minors, it’s not enough just to undermine my culture; I’m expected to cheer for its dismantling alongside figures like Kasich and McCain.
If that makes me a bigot in your eyes, then so be it.
But I think I speak for a misunderstood group here. I did tune into the TPUSA halftime show, which was fine. It wasn’t a rebellious act but rather a moment of curiosity.
Anyone who’s conversed with someone from a gender studies perspective knows how confusing and ever-changing their logic can be. Keeping up with their evolving language and rules is exhausting. In the end, the discussions often lead nowhere substantial.
There’s no consistent moral guideline; rules shift as much as language itself. Liberal commentator Will Stancil found this out the hard way when he was ousted from ICE Watch for advising against public disruptions and was subsequently labeled as “mansplaining.”
This, I think, fuels my somewhat optimistic view of American politics right now. A movement caught up in theoretical ideals will eventually consume itself.
My concern is about the collateral damage this might cause before things spiral completely out of control.
I can’t help but feel that many young individuals, who haven’t had the chance to solidify their political beliefs, are sensing that something is amiss. Children just aren’t alright. This chaotic mindset labeled as the “woke left” is destructive.
This turmoil often leads young people towards the Catholic Church, as it remains unchanged for nearly two millennia. Its core messages have stayed almost intact since they were penned.
In a world where everything seems to be shifting, there’s something reassuring about a brand that knows its identity and values—especially when surrounding brands seem to be bending to outside pressures. Take Bud Light, for instance, with its ad about female-led hop farms that didn’t even make sense in context.
Clearly, they aimed to attract new consumers, yet it’s questionable if the audience they targeted would even resonate with their product.
Similarly, responses to Kamara in the 2024 election indicated that people gravitate toward brands that maintain authenticity. Brands like Modelo, Dos Equis, and Yuengling were also targeted, revealing a pattern among consumers.
What young people want are leaders who unequivocally know themselves and their values. Popularity isn’t enough to sway someone’s convictions overnight.
Honestly, the NFL has a dilemma on its hands.
In its quest for diversity, the league might inadvertently alienate its core audience. Just as no English-speaking individual would stop to watch a performance by an out-of-place character who doesn’t resonate, the same applies here.
Surprisingly, people did turn out to watch Bad Bunny, according to some reports. However, the atmosphere felt somber, reminiscent of a funeral.
The lackluster halftime performance numbers were especially glaring when compared to the record-breaking viewership TPUSA garnered on YouTube. Though 6.1 million concurrent viewers for TPUSA is nothing compared to the Super Bowl’s typical audience, it’s still a significant milestone in YouTube’s history.
The production value might have seemed a bit off, put together last minute, yet this doesn’t alter its potential appeal to sponsors or future endeavors. The pivotal aspect is capturing attention and proving the concept.
This signifies a chink in the NFL’s armor.
Much like the devotion found in Catholic congregations, the NFL could benefit from boldly presenting content its audience loves. There’s something deeply compelling about unabashedly proclaiming one’s principles. A steady signal fosters trust.
We’ll see if the NFL absorbs these lessons—lessons that many brands have learned through experience.
In the meanwhile, expect halftime competition to heat up. TPUSA has shown what’s possible.
Let’s anticipate what next year brings, bigots.
