I have seen every Super Bowl since I was born in 1970; even the ones I was too young to remember, I have gone back and seen again and again thanks to cable television programming~to which I am hopelessly addicted. After shrewd analysis, its becoming more and more apparent that this Super Bowl event is the vehicle by which the American message of cultural values and patriotism is driven. Despite all other messages sent by our leadership, the Super Bowl is the key event to flex our military muscle and bind our culture within and without.
In 1991, the U.S. was at war in the first gulf war. Our collective patriotism was spurred on by 24 hour news coverage by CNN. The pool coverage of the conflict captivated me, although a less hi-tech Vietnam conflict likely afforded more authentic visions from the front lines, I was enthralled by my present view. I often stayed awake to see various diplomats and heads of state converge on the global stage with their doctrine. Mostly it was recycled content sponsored by strange consumer goods, but occasionally, a gem of cable news coverage would be offered. The world was getting smaller and yet more predictable. The media technology more immediate and yet more filtered. Our collective conscience was ripe for plucking~we were unified in our ignorant bliss~a country that needed time to play a championship game while the awesome force of military might crushed its foe with wicked precision and efficiency.
To vaunt our spirits during the national anthem was the young and talented Whitney Houston.
Before Bobby Brown and such memories that jade our view of her like "Crack is whack" Whitney was the best. She was the instrument chosen by the powers that be to deliver our nation's song; chosen to unify us in our moment of leisure, lest we forget that the force of our government was killing people abroad, she was the mouthpiece for a fat, blind and proud nation. I was moved by her version, especially the high note on the word "free" that only the bravest, most confident professional singer dare execute. It was an electric moment to be sure.
However, in this latest offering of contrived patriotism, preceded by Fox network's pandering, nearly schizophrenic montaged version of the Declaration of Independence...
We are whisked away from the military pomp and circumstance of a 1991 fighter jet fly over and positioned in a mythical landscape that perverts the very sensibilities the celebrated document was designed to demonstrate. I was unimpressed, to say the least.
Yet something emerged from the lips of Jordin Sparks' delivery of the National Anthem that was so quintessentially American, so profoundly resonate and patriotic despite a time of immutable cynicism, that brought my patriotic spirit alive again. I found myself reminiscing through all of the Super Bowl's, searching for anything more authentic, more American, more passionate, natural, powerful and beautiful. Clearly, there is none. Whitney's version for the most part is garbled and forced. Jordin's was dynamic, with true range, robust lows and highs perfectly sprinkled throughout. It was the surprise of being swept up in her rendition that still moves me ~ and fosters this reflection on all of the other moments like these that our nation posits. This anthem was real good. In fact, I could not compare any other version to it!
Jordin Sparks' version of the National Anthem resurrected this weary patriot's sense of pride despite the bitter ironies that surround our Nation's tasteless, if not arrogant indulgence in the event of the Super Bowl in our Humanity's dire hour.
Bless you Jordin Sparks, your's is the standard by which I will measure all future national anthems!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
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