Ticket 2 Ride

Who says math isn’t stylish or motivating the masses? I believe the toughest math function is division, but these days it comes easy to many generations of folks here in the U.S. I know, you’re saying to yourself: “Self, I saw what he did.” Yes. I mixed in some cultural commentary. Hey, why not.

The Super Bowl Halftime Show.

I told my wife last night. “I remember the dull parade of marching bands, or women in antlers hopping around like deer at the 1958 NFL Championship game, providing halftime entertainment at football games. It really was time for a snack break.

In past years, the NFL has marched through the list of top entertainers for the halftime show. During the 60 years of the Super Bowl, the NFL has broadened the audience, not just for the game, but for the sport. Playing regular season games in other countries, games that actually mean something, not exhibition or preseason games, actual competition. The television and radio audiences for NFL games have grown. Wagering is not only legal, it’s a big deal. The dollars the NFL is raking in is still green, but it comes from a more diverse audience that represents many cultures and languages. It may be the U. S. Of A.’s game, but it has a growing world audience.

Bad Bunny.

Bad Bunny. I’m not an actual fan of the music, but what I know of the guy, I like him. He’s a standup guy. Did I understand what he was singing during the halftime show? No, not first. Did I watch the highly choreographed production and understand what each scene represented or who his guests were? I watched but I didn’t really understand. Later, I saw a detailed translation of the presentation and explanation of his messages. Very creative. Spectacular production values. Great messaging. This show really was about America. It wasn’t a beer ad, it embraced a much wider view of American life.

Did I watch the Alt Halftime Show?

No, wasn’t interested. Since I didn’t watch, I can’t really comment on its production or messaging, other than the social messaging and what some people were commenting on the show’s purpose. Somebody wants to offer alternative entertainment. Great. It’s a free country. But to speak derogatorily about the NFL Halftime show and wrap that criticism in racial or political tones – not cool. A friend made the remark, it seems that the people who needed a separate halftime show were the dames who needed separate drinking fountains. Spot-on.

The Long Division.

America has never been perfect and it never will be. Let’s stop pretending that it used to be. Those who want to pretend, are the same people who want to scrub history, ban books, restrict and gerrymander voting, and homogenize this country. It ain’t happening. Dividing everything by a rigid cultural-based view cracks the “United” part of our country into jagged, cutting pieces.

There are many specific comments and falsehoods related to Bad Bunny personally, the culture and language, and “American” values that have been spewed forth. Ignorance and cultural toxicity that sadly runs deep in our country.

Differing views are allowed in this country. That’s a right. We have numerous guaranteed rights, even the ones we disagree with. There have always been division, the United States is more than one race, or one religion, or one political thought, or one language, or one set of holidays.

What I as reminded of by Bad Bunny is that “America” really stretches from the northern tip of Canada to the southern tip of Chile, and everything in between.

The division sign in math is quite reflective of America. ➗ Why not 🟰 which means we can be different, yet respectful and excepting of one another.