'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Link

I agree a lot with this quote
"''Would the French accept people singing the La Marseillaise in English as a sign of French patriotism? Of course not.'' -- Mark Krikorian, head of the Center for Immigration Studies"

Here is the story....

MIAMI (April 28) - British music producer Adam Kidron says that when he came up with the idea of a Spanish-language version of the U.S. national anthem, he saw it as an ode to the millions of immigrants seeking a better life.


But in the week since Kidron announced the song - which features artists such as Wyclef Jean, hip-hop star Pitbull and Puerto Rican singers Carlos Ponce and Olga Tanon - it has been the target of a fierce backlash.

Some Internet bloggers and others are infuriated by the thought of "The Star-Spangled Banner" sung in a language other than English.

"Would the French accept people singing the La Marseillaise in English as a sign of French patriotism? Of course not," said Mark Krikorian, head of the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank that supports tighter immigration controls.

The initial version of "Nuestro Himno," or "Our Anthem," comes out Friday and uses lyrics based closely on the English-language original, said Kidron, who heads the record label Urban Box Office.

''Would the French accept people singing the La Marseillaise in English as a sign of French patriotism? Of course not.'' -- Mark Krikorian, head of the Center for Immigration Studies
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Pro-immigration protests are planned around the country for Monday, and the record label is urging Hispanic radio stations nationwide to play the cut at 7 p.m. EDT Friday in a sign of solidarity.

A remix to be released in June will contain several lines in English that condemn U.S. immigration laws. Among them: "These kids have no parents, cause all of these mean laws ... let's not start a war with all these hard workers, they can't help where they were born."

Bryanna Bevens of Hanford, Calif., who writes for the immigration-focused Web magazine Vdare.com, said the remix particularly upset her.

"It's very whiny. If you want to say all those things, by all means, put them on your poster board, but don't put them on the national anthem," she said.

Kidron, a U.S. resident for 16 years, maintains the changes are fitting. After all, he notes, American immigrants borrowed the melody of the "Star Spangled Banner" from an English drinking song.

"There's no attempt to usurp anything. The intent is to communicate," Kidron said. "I wanted to show my thanks to these people who buy my records and listen to the music we release and do the jobs I don't want to do."

Kidron said the song also will be featured on the album "Somos Americanos," which will sell for $10, with $1 going to the National Capital Immigration Coalition, a Washington group.

James Gardner, an associate director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, said Americans have long enjoyed different interpretations of the Star Spangled Banner, including country or gospel arrangements.

"There are a number of renditions that people aren't happy with, but that's part of it - that it means enough for people to try to sing," he said.

Pitbull, whose real name is Armando Perez, said this country was built by immigrants, and "the meaning of the American dream is in that record: struggle, freedom, opportunity, everything they are trying to shut down on us."

Message edited 4/28/2006 2:14:54 PM.

Re: What Do You Think?

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Bump!

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Actually, there is a Code of Ethics for the singing and the performing of the National Anthem in our country, and they are blatantly disrespecting the song by doing this. You are only allowed to perform the song publicly in two key signatures, there is not to be any "concert" or "pop" versions made of the song, and it is to be sung at a very specific tempo....so as a music teacher, and a musician, I can say that I do not agree with having our national anthem sung in spanish because it goes against the code of ethics.


That being said, the practical part of me says go ahead and sing it in spanish because at least SOMEONE might know how to sing it at all! In a poll last year, it was shown that only 1 in 4 people know what our national anthem is and even less of those people could actually sing it. What's the point of having a national anthem that no one knows and no one can sing?
There is currently a national campaign to get America's children learning and singing the national anthem, and I am proud to say that all of my students can sing it AND tell you the history behind the song


Ok, sorry for the tangent!

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

My initial thought is who gives a f#$@.

Really, with so much going on in the world we are really going to get up in arms over some recording artists that want to sing our national song in Spanish? What is so wrong with showing support for the nation in English, Spanish, German, Arabic whatever. We should feel honored that these artists would want to share our anthem with those whose first language is not English.

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Also, I will add that part of the music curriculum is to teach national anthems from around the world, and the kids are only required to sing them in English, not the original language, so we should not expect everyone else to sing it in English if we are not singing THEIRS in their native tongue, either.

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Wow...there are so many issues gong on today and do we really need this to be another one???!!!!

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Posted by heidla

Posted by prncssrachel

Actually, there is a Code of Ethics for the singing and the performing of the National Anthem in our country, and they are blatantly disrespecting the song by doing this. You are only allowed to perform the song publicly in two key signatures, there is not to be any "concert" or "pop" versions made of the song, and it is to be sung at a very specific tempo....so as a music teacher, and a musician, I can say that I do not agree with having our national anthem sung in spanish because it goes against the code of ethics.

Somebody should have told Rosanne Barr about those rules.

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Posted by prncssrachel

Posted by heidla

Posted by prncssrachel

Actually, there is a Code of Ethics for the singing and the performing of the National Anthem in our country, and they are blatantly disrespecting the song by doing this. You are only allowed to perform the song publicly in two key signatures, there is not to be any "concert" or "pop" versions made of the song, and it is to be sung at a very specific tempo....so as a music teacher, and a musician, I can say that I do not agree with having our national anthem sung in spanish because it goes against the code of ethics.

Somebody should have told Rosanne Barr about those rules.

Actually, there is an official list of famous people who have violated the code of ethics for the national anthem, and she is No. 1 Jimmy Hendrix is also on there.

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Posted by prncssrachel
Actually, there is an official list of famous people who have violated the code of ethics for the national anthem, and she is No. 1 Jimmy Hendrix is also on there.

Message edited 4/28/2006 2:40:20 PM.

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

I think this is just going to add fuel to the fire in an already emotional immigration debate. Even if the reasoning behind the release of this is for the protests on May 1st, I have a feeling it is going to backfire.

My own opinion is that this is not such a big deal. I will always sing the national anthem in English, because it is my first language; sort of like I say the Our Father in English in a spanish speaking church because it is my first language. I think that if people are going to get so upset about this, perhaps they should join in the singing at a ball game or a graduation when they hear the anthem and take some pride in it.

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

I really don't see it as being a big deal. I mean, freedom of speech, right? They can sing it however they want to sing it. It will never be adopted as an official version or "secondary" version anyway.

I guess if it will help them prove a point, fine, but I don't think it will do much anyway.

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Stupid. Learn English and sing the anthem in English.

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

I think its wrong, its not that it will be sung in spanish, but in order for them to do that they have to change words in the song and that is wrong. It was written a certain way, to be sung a certain way and it should not be changed regardless of anything. The song was created in English...this is America and English is the #1 language!! JMO

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

i personally don't care what language it is sung in...


this is the home of the free...

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

bumping for Tumbalina

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

sorry, didn't see this posted.

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Posted by Redhead

Posted by Tumbalina

sorry, didn't see this posted.

i know...just thought you would be interested in seeing what people wrote..

since not too many people are on now

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

I don't understand how they are calling it the anthem - if you look at the lyrics in English, it is nowhere near the Star Spangled Banner. It's like they wrote they own song and are choosing to sing it in Spanish. I just don't understand why people are using the word "anthem".

Re: 'Star-Spangled Banner' in Spanish Draws Criticism----What Do You Think?

I feel this is just more fuel to add to the fire.

IMO it's a free country and if they want to offer a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner in Spanish so be it. It does not mean it will all of a sudden change it's meaning. There is no possible way that it will be translated to the exact same meaning. I think it's an honor that people are taking time to offer a rendition in Spanish. I have always sung it in English and always will. Just like renditions have been done with the anthem with country, rock, & gospel what is the big deal about it being done in another language

I think there will always be those who get offended and there will be those who don't care and those that feel honored.