Super Bowl Reflections

Demi Lovato Sings America’s National Anthem

The other night I did something a little scandalous. I posted a genuine sort of knee-jerk reaction to the Super Bowl half time entertainment. I expressed my opinion on social media about how I thought the half time show was “Raunchy. Disappointing for America’s families to watch.”

Boy, did I get a deluge of comments fired back. 

What happened next was unexpected. The thing that shook me up a bit was that all of the sudden I was being called a racist, a Latino hater and a pious white vanilla bitch.

United we stand together

My comment evoked replies that I was taking a stand against Latinos. My old-fashioned-response ( perhaps even grandma-like, except I’m not a grandmother yet)  to the half time dirty dancing would have been the same for any American ethnicity. For me, I have never thought of us as Caucasian, Latino, African, Asian or Native descent Americans— I honestly have always thought we are all just Americans. In this together.

Hindsight is 20/20

Hindsight is always 20/20. What would I do different? Practice what I preach a little better. I would wait until my reactive feelings for watching this event, or anything in life for that matter, settle down. Social media is a popular way for us all to express ourselves and our opinions. I wish I had pushed the pause button, to let the tensions of opposites subside. After a sleepless night (thinking through everything that was being said on social) my unconscious and conscious integration lead to a physical uneasiness and to this reflection.

As my mom tells me, sometimes we just have to go through the experience to truly integrate something. My mantra has always endeavored; ‘to be the best version of you’, and so I learned some lessons from this experience from my reactive comment.

A little more patience, curiosity and compassion

Next time, I’d have a little more patience and give it some time. To be braver and step back and observe an overwhelming feeling that unexpectedly took over. I’d welcome in curiosity and muster up more compassion to look through a softened lens. I posted about the Star Spangled Banner that night, but if I could have a “do-over” I would put more energy and focus on the promotion of Demi Lovato (who bringing herself back on track after rehab) eloquently and full of passion sings our National Anthem.

Listening to her clear, strong and brave voice makes me proud to be American.