At Dodger Stadium, an occurrence unfolded that could only be described as a headshaker for those who appreciate the values and traditions that build the American spirit. A singer by the name of Nezza, who many may not have heard of, was given the honor of performing the national anthem. The task seemed simple enough: honor America by singing in English, as per customary practice. But Nezza decided to take this opportunity and turn it into a personal protest, choosing to sing in Spanish instead. Her actions were a statement against ICE and a misguided notion of American sovereignty — something she seemed to have completely misunderstood or chosen to ignore.
Despite being told explicitly, “We are going to do the song in English today,” Nezza ignored this request. She took to the microphone and deliberately defied stadium officials, likely knowing full well what she was doing. Isn’t it curious how some individuals seem to think the rules don’t apply to them? As expected, her actions were met with applause from some, perhaps more for the spectacle than for the song itself.
One has to wonder about the sense of entitlement at play here. Is it that difficult to respect a venue’s guidelines, especially when the matter at hand is a tradition meant to unite rather than divide? Nezza’s stunt smacked not of protest, but of privilege, where saying “no” to someone like her is perceived as an affront instead of a boundary.
Her reaction was almost comical — there are those who handle “no” with maturity, perhaps seeing it as a chance to reflect and think. But not here. Nezza’s lack of experience with the word “no” seemed to leave her floundering. The twist? Despite what some might think, she’s not persona non grata at Dodger Stadium; in fact, a team official has stated that she is “welcome back.” Who, after all, doesn’t want attention, whether positive or negative, for a supposed 15 minutes of fame?
For those clinging to the hope that traditional values and respect for national symbols can still thrive, this scenario is frustrating yet revealing. It showcases the lengths to which some will go to impose personal viewpoints over communal harmony. Nezza’s antics may have garnered attention, but they certainly raised the question: at what cost to the respect for traditions that underpin this nation? Her choices spoke volumes about personal grandstanding over unity, and one can’t help but wonder if this is setting a precedent we want to embrace.
Nezza’s actions were amidst the backdrop of ICE raids and reflected the historical commissioning of a Spanish version of the anthem in 1945 under Roosevelt’s policy. Her performance, rooted in cultural pride, sparked dialogue rather than solely aiming to divide, challenging the narrative of tradition versus inclusion.
