Recently, there has been a lot of controversy over the NFL’s decision for the Super Bowl halftime performer. Latin singer Bad Bunny has been receiving a lot of hate for performing at an “American” sporting event. Although football did originate in the United States, the sport has grown into something enjoyed by people all over the world.

The backlash against Bad Bunny isn’t simply because some people don’t like his music. Instead, a lot of the criticism seems to come from discomfort and disapproval that a Latino man will be taking the stage. It isn’t really about the music, it’s about where he comes from. Many people don’t realize that this type of reaction can come across as blatant racism.

What concerns me the most is that many of the people who disapprove of him believe he doesn’t belong performing at an American event because he is “from another country.” Bad Bunny is from Puerto Rico, and Puerto Rico is a United States territory. People from Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens, which makes it confusing that some people don’t seem to understand the country they are so passionately defending.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended Bad Bunny and the decision to have him perform. During a news conference, he stated, “Bad Bunny is one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world. It should be a great show, and a united moment. The NFL has no plans to change the performer.”

Overall, in my opinion, the hate toward Bad Bunny is more than just criticism. It reflects racism and the idea that a Latin performer does not belong on that stage. It’s concerning that people care this much, yet still don’t understand that he is from the United States. American football should be a sport that brings people together, not a sport meant for only one type of person.