Haters Gotta Hate: NFL Star-Spangled Banner

We've reached the pinnacle of racism when the racists no longer hide behind the white sheets. The racists become the keyboard warriors spewing their hate, but there is no penalty or banning when the owners of some of these social media platforms are also racists. They'll only ban you if you post about the dirt in their personal lives. 

On Monday night, September 28, the two-time Latin Grammy-nominated band Mariachi Herencia de México performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the Chicago Bears faced the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field. 

It was a historic day, marking the first time a mariachi band performed the anthem in the team's 106-year history, besides celebrating Latino Heritage Month. Many fans praised the tribute, while unfortunately many didn't, airing their racist grievances online and attacking band members. Critics attacked the musicians for their traditional Mexican apparel and the anthem's cultural arrangement (playing traditional mariachi instruments: trumpets, violins, and guitars). 

Mariachi Herencia de México graciously explained that their core mission is to bring people together through music, and that they performed the anthem with dignity, pride, and respect.

To drown out the hate, public figures and fans stepped up on social media to defend the ensemble against the online abuse. But the best of all? The live crowd inside the stadium made noise. They stood up, cheered, and applauded the performance. The cameras panned to the audience, showing Vietnam Veterans and a few football players on the field patting their hearts while smiling or holding back tears.

Some people in America have forgotten what we stand for and the many cultures that make America so great. In fact, it is stamped on the base of Ms. Liberty on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. "Give me your tired. Give me your poor... " from the poem, The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus. 

It wasn't long ago when the same haters were foolishly ranting that "They're (Hispanics) taking our jobs." Well, many of those jobs are now open. Why aren't you out in the hot, baking sun picking our produce? And because of the hate, it has affected our economy. How? We're missing roofers, construction teams, yard maintenance, hotel and kitchen staff, to name a few. And of course those much-needed workers' payday dollars went back into the communities where they resided. Unfortunately, hate seems stronger than common sense. 

Yet on payday Friday, the haters go to mom-and-pop, independent Mexican-style restaurants wanting their platón de mole de pollo or carne asada. Frankly, I don't think the haters deserve such delicious food and welcoming hospitality. I think they should just stay in the car and drive through Taco Bell.