Colorblindness is the New Racism and Why Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Mattered

Why Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Mattered 

When I first heard that Bad Bunny was performing at the Super Bowl, I knew right away that we were going to witness history. Throughout Gomez's article, he discusses how the performance celebrated Latino identity, language, and resilience while challenging the traditional idea of what it means to be American. We saw firsthand that every part of the performance had meaning, and we witnessed in real time that representation matters. The emotion behind watching a Hispanic man perform on one of the world's biggest stages was incredibly powerful. 

One point that really stood out to me from Gomez's article was his discussion of Bad Bunny performing primarily in Spanish. Gomez explained that the performance was not translated for English-speaking audiences because Bad Bunny wanted to proudly celebrate his language and acknowledge the language barriers that many Latinos face in this country every day. I can only imagine that, for many Hispanic families, this was one of the first times they truly felt seen, included, and celebrated on such a large stage. I hosted a super bowl party this year and many of my friends come from hispanic backgrounds and I remember them singing and dancing in my living room feeling seen and valued in that moment!

Another point I enjoyed reading about was the representation behind La Casita. I grew up with many Puerto Rican and Dominican friends, and I remember how heartbreaking the last few hurricanes were for them as they worried about their families back home. Knowing that many Puerto Ricans went months without electricity, running water, and adequate support was absolutely devastating. Bad Bunny did not hold back. He was not afraid to acknowledge the systemic challenges and oppression that many Puerto Rican families have faced during these difficult times. He used his creativity to showcase the resilience of the Puerto Rican people.

Something else that stood out to me in both the article and the performance, and was actually my favorite moment, was when Bad Bunny mentioned all of the countries in the Americas. I felt that this moment acknowledged that America is not just the United States. The Americas are made up of many beautiful countries, cultures, and histories, including Latin America, South America, Canada, and the Caribbean. I think this part of the performance served as a reminder that the United States is stronger because of the immigrants who live here and because of the many cultures and identities that come together to make this country what it is. I also think this was an argument in a way. Gomez wanted to show WHY this is important and how Hispanic and Latino history is part of our own history!

Colorblindness is the New Racism

Reading Colorblindness is the New Racism by Armstrong and Wildman really connected with me, especially because I've always hated the phrase, "I don't see color." As someone who is biracial, that statement always bothers me. I know people often say it with good intentions, but to me it has always felt like they're trying to ignore a part of who I am. My race is part of my identity, and saying you don't see it doesn't make me feel included, it makes me feel like an important part of me is being overlooked. This chapter put words to something I've felt for a long time and helped explain why that phrase can actually be harmful.

One point that really stood out to me was the authors' argument that colorblindness doesn't eliminate racism, it allows it to continue. They write that "the failure to acknowledge racial reality... reinforces and solidifies existing racial inequality and white privilege." That quote perfectly captures why the idea of being "colorblind" has always bothered me. If we refuse to acknowledge race, then we're also refusing to acknowledge the different experiences people have because of it. We can't have honest conversations about inequality if we're pretending those differences don't exist.

The authors talking about race was really insightful! They explain that we shouldn't be afraid to notice race. Instead, we should recognize it, understand its history, and think critically about how privilege and discrimination continue to shape people's lives. This reading made me think of the court case regarding race in higher education. How college admissions workers should not take race into a count but can take legacy admissions and donor status into considerations! Another part of the chapter that really made me reflect was the Power Line Exercise. I liked that it emphasized how no one is defined by just one part of their identity. We all have different experiences that shape who we are, and those experiences can create both privilege and barriers. 

Overall, this chapter really pointed out something I've believed for a long time. We shouldn't strive to be colorblind we should strive to be color aware. Seeing race isn't the problem. The problem is what society has done with race.

This video really connects to this reading

SCOTUS Judge Jackson Confront Lawyers In Affirmative Action Case

Rethinking The American School

 After reading Chapter 2 of The Broken Model and watching A short History of American Schools, I found myself thinking about how much of our education system exists because it's what we've always known. Before this reading, I questioned why school is set up the way it is. Both the video and article made me realize that just because something has been done the same way for years doesn't necessarily mean it's the best way to help students learn. One quote that really stood out to me was when Khan writes that "education is an invention, a work in progress."  I love this because I think it is so true. I feel like we see this in society now more than ever. I know people have feelings about charter schools but many of these schools have options for students to learn in different ways. Showing that education can change and that change can still produce good students.

The chapter made me think a lot about The MET School in Providence. The MET takes such a different approach to education. Instead of focusing on standardized tests and lectures, students learn through hands-on projects, internships, and real-world experiences. Their educational philosophy is centered on personalized learning and helping students discover their interests and strengths, rather than expecting every student to fit into the same mold, the MET recognizes that students learn in different ways and at different speeds. I think nontraditional school models like the MET show that when students are given opportunities to connect learning to their own lives, they are more engaged. It really reinforces Khan's idea that education should evolve to meet the needs of today's learners instead of expecting students to adapt to an outdated system. If you are unfamiliar with the MET you should check it out. THE MET SCHOOL

Another idea that really stuck with me was Khan's argument that our education system wasn't designed to meet the needs of today's students. Things like grade levels, class periods, and standardized tests have become so normal that we rarely stop to ask if they actually work. Khan argues that "Today's world needs a workforce of creative, curious, and self-directed lifelong learners," and I couldn't agree more. The world has changed so much, but in many ways our classrooms haven't. A test can not show how creative a student is, it can only show how well a student can memorize information and recite it. The video touched on how school was set up for students to join and match the work force, but even the work force has changed but most schools have stayed the same!

The video made those ideas feel even more real. It really showed that the educational system is broken. It shows that schools prepare us for the workforce. They even say, "Kids go to school to take our place," treating students like they are replacement bodies for society. Schools  do not reward problem-solving or creativity but instead reward the ability to follow directions and stay within the system. While watching the video, I also explored the comments section to see what other people thought. One comment really stood out to me because it compared school bells to lunch breaks in the workplace. Both workers and students are booked all morning, take a quick break for lunch and are back to work right after. It is just a workforce pipeline!

This chapter reminded me of Johnson's Privilege, Power, and Difference. Johnson talks about  how systems stay in place because people often accept them as "normal" without questioning who benefits from it or why it functions this way. Our education system has been around for so long that people think it's the only way school can work, but Khan wants us to think differently. Both authors encourage us to question systems.

As someone who works in college admissions and has built a career helping students access higher education. Every day I meet students with different backgrounds, learning styles, and life experiences. When I work with students I try to tell them the college essay is the most important part of the application because it's the only part where you can be you. The rest of the application is just tests and numbers but the essay is where students can really shine. Khan points this out when he writes that "Tests say little or nothing about a student's potential to learn a subject." That quote really stayed with me because I see students every day who have incredible resilience, and determination that can't always be measured by a standardized test.