Even days after the Super Bowl, the halftime show remains a hot topic of discussion. While the dazzling performances and choreography took center stage, it was Ricky Martin's musical choice during his brief time with Bad Bunny that has captured attention on social media.
The singer performed a snippet of the song "What Happened to Hawaii," which many interpret as a metaphor about sovereignty, identity, and fears of losing autonomy. The line, “I don’t want them to do to you what happened to Hawaii,” reignited historical debates about the U.S. annexation of the archipelago and its parallels to Puerto Rico's political situation.
The conversation took a different turn in the comments section, where numerous users began drawing direct comparisons to Cuba. One user commented, “They don’t want it to happen like Hawaii... do they want it to happen like Cuba?” Others chimed in with remarks like, “Hawaii thrived, Cuba didn’t,” “Who’s better off, Cuba or Hawaii?” and “I’d choose Hawaii’s fate over what happened to Cuba and Venezuela.”
The debate quickly became polarized. For some, the song serves as a call to reflect on historical processes of annexation and colonialism. Others saw the comparison as a springboard for discussing different political models and economic outcomes, with Cuba being a notable example.
Critics also questioned the coherence of delivering messages about sovereignty while performing on a U.S. stage and residing in the United States. Nonetheless, beyond these conflicting views, those few seconds achieved something rare in entertainment: transforming a musical performance into a political conversation about the region, with Cuba once again serving as an inevitable point of reference.
Discussion on Historical and Political Comparisons
What was the significance of Ricky Martin's song choice at the Super Bowl?
Ricky Martin's choice to perform "What Happened to Hawaii" was seen as a metaphor for concerns about sovereignty and autonomy, sparking debates about historical annexation and its parallels to Puerto Rico.
How did social media react to the performance?
Social media users quickly began comparing Hawaii's situation to Cuba's, with discussions focusing on political models and economic outcomes.
Why was Cuba mentioned in the debate?
Cuba was referenced as an example in discussions about political systems and their economic impacts, contrasting its situation with Hawaii’s.