Turning Point USA launches an ‘All American Halftime Show’, drawing controversy ahead of the Super Bowl
Known for the creative commercials and a battle between two skilled NFL teams, many viewers watch the Super Bowl with that in mind. Now add on the yearly iconic halftime performances from various artists into the mix. The Super Bowl brings many people together, averaging around 127.7 million viewers, according to the Associated Press, after last year’s game.
This year’s performer, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (Bad Bunny), has gotten a lot of backlash for not providing an “American” Halftime performance. However, many viewers are still amped up for the upcoming performance.
“I am prepared to cry, to scream, to celebrate, because a raza unida no será vencida (the people united will never be defeated), I am proud to be mexicana,” said the Public Relations Manager for Bowling Green State University’s (BGSU) Latino Student Union (LSU), Daphne Bonila. “I have never been more proud to have my people represented in a time where many love our culture but hate who we are.”
The artist himself is from Puerto Rico, a U.S. Territory and since 1917, residents of Puerto Rico have been granted U.S. citizenship under the Jones Act. That makes Bad Bunny a legal U.S. citizen. Bad Bunny refused to tour in the 50 states for fear that ICE raids would happen outside his shows. However, he still performed many shows in Puerto Rico this year, generating over $200 million for its economy, according to CNN.
“Bad Bunny is definitely a good representation of [Latino] culture, especially since people don’t see things about Puerto Rico a lot,” Mexican-American sophomore majoring in integrated mathematics, River Yatko said.
Although there has been a recent petition to replace Bad Bunny with George Strait, the “King of Country,” at this year’s halftime performance. Likewise, due to public backlash towards Bad Bunny, Turning Point USA (TPUSA) is holding an All-American Halftime Show that will play during Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Turning Point USA, founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk, has been a booming movement after his recent passing, gaining more publicity. Kirk’s accounts have gained millions of followers since his death, according to an article written by CNN.
“The organization’s mission is to identify, educate, train and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets and limited government,” TPUSA’s mission statement states.
BGSU has a branch of TPUSA on campus that recently held a vigil for Kirk and had quite the turnout on campus. With roughly 30 students showing up to their monthly meetings and hundreds of club sign-ups, the campus branch has made quite an impact on students here at BGSU.
“BG’s branch of TPUSA is a place where students can come together and share their beliefs freely, whether that means peacefully disagreeing or finding other like-minded students they wouldn’t ordinarily get to,” President Bridget Feldman said.
TPUSA has yet to announce who their performer will be for their halftime show, putting many followers of TPUSA on the edge of their seats.
“I think that Jelly Roll would be a good candidate to perform at the [halftime show]. He’s brought many together through sharing his struggles with faith openly in his music and I think that better reflects the values of the typical football fan in middle America,” Feldman said.
Jason Deford (Jelly Roll), an American rapper/country artist who found his faith after years of incarceration in and out, shares his story through his songs. Given his past, he has inspired many people to find their path of religion and celebrates people on their journey, battling addiction.
Many viewers still disagree with TPUSA’s choice to create their own halftime show. Regardless of who is performing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, viewers still feel that the additional halftime show is unnecessary.
“I think [the All-American Halftime Show] is really stupid. I don’t understand why they’re putting on their own halftime performance. Yatko said. “If you’re that upset about it, just turn off the channel; it’s not like everyone likes the halftime performer all the time.”
Bad Bunny is still set to perform at this year’s halftime show after the National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that Bad Bunny’s performance is not being reconsidered, with thousands of his fans set to watch his performance.
“I’m waiting for the statement and the message Benito has for the world, but I am more excited to see how not only the Latinos will react but how America will react,” Bonila said. “Will they understand? Will they listen? And a part of myself asks if it will spark change and if so, what will that change be?”
BG Falcon Media will continue to keep readers updated on TPUSA’s halftime show, which is currently in the works.
