The United States needs 1,000 anthems

Singer Sheryl Lee Ralph performed the black national anthem in this year's Super Bowl. Of course, it didn't take any time for criticism to start flooding in. Many claimed that this song divides the nation instead of uniting it. However, I believe that it is possible to satisfy everyone without the need for heated debates. After all, the United States is a diverse country and suffering is something that, to a greater or lesser extent, all of its citizens or their ancestors have experienced.

The United States is a country based on immigration, so other anthems should also be made: Asian, African, Hispanic, European, and Pacific Islander. Maybe they could be distinguished based on each person's country of origin, or that of their ancestors. Between continents and countries, about 200 more anthems could be added, just as long as everyone feels represented.

We could also add anthems that represent different religions, which in turn should be divided by their different denominations so as not to offend anyone. In this way, Christians (Protestants, Catholics, Mormons, etc.), Jews (Orthodox, Conservatives, Reform, etc.), Muslims (Shiites, Sunnis, etc.), Hindus, and Buddhists, just to name a few, will be able to say that the United States truly is a pluralistic country. How many anthems could be added, considering that it is the most diverse country in the world in this respect? It is estimated that there are more than 200 active religions, so that would make for 200 more anthems. In turn, we could add a minimum of two denominations per religion on average, bringing the total to 400. Surely this number does not reflect even half of what's really out there, so the matter should be studied in depth. After all, an anthem is serious business. Oh, and we cannot forget atheists and agnostics, who also deserve their own.

No more sitting around like Kari Lake and sitting through 50 hours of hymns. We must stand up and respect all citizens who inhabit this land.

There is another important issue that we cannot forget about. I am talking about gender. While I'm not sure how many there really are, as it remains unclear, we could say that there are dozens of gender identities. We really ought to reach an agreement on this point. Gender fluidity is a particularly complex issue. In this case, it may be possible to change the lyrics of the anthem as it is performed. These are just proposals. The important thing is not to offend anyone and that everyone feels represented.

Of course, there will be people who sing more than one anthem, as they may identify with more than one of the above characteristics. However, I think we would be going overboard if we started combining them, don't you? Maybe not.

There are easily 1,000 anthems that could be sung at the next Super Bowl. Of course, the list can go on indefinitely as each issue is studied in depth and, for example, as more genders emerge.

In this way, everyone will feel represented, no one will be offended and critics will not be able to claim that the people are being divided. Of course, we won't tolerate any Kari Lake-like behavior such as sitting down while the 50 or so hours of anthems go by. You have to stand up and respect everyone that lives in our great land.

What about The Star-Spangled Banner? Yes, it could also be sung, but I don't know who it represents anymore.