Letters to the Editor: Was it right for Nezza to sing the national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium?

To the editor: I am honored to hear the national anthem in Spanish, just like I was honored to hear a great Black musician, Jimi Hendrix, play his rock-infused version at Woodstock ('Nezza says she sang national anthem in Spanish at Dodger Stadium against team's wishes,' June 15).
I'm proud that minorities and immigrants wish to come to America and contribute by working hard and raising good families. Those are certainly more Christian values than those espoused by some U.S. citizens, including the person accused of shooting two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers.
My Sicilian and Slovak ancestors entered the U.S. via Ellis Island in the early 1900s. I am proud of Nezza and hope she will sing the national anthem in Spanish again.
Jay Ross, West Los Angeles
..
To the editor: I hope the Los Angeles Dodgers never invite Nezza back to sing our national anthem. She was told it would be sung in English and then proceeded to openly defy the Dodger organization by singing it in Spanish. The Dodgers were honoring the Hispanic community by having a Latina sing the anthem, and then she brags that she did what she wanted in spite of their instructions.
As someone of Mexican descent, I am proud of my grandparents for bringing their children here to have a better life and more opportunities. They became naturalized American citizens and their descendants are grateful.
The national anthem should be sung in English as the composer of the words, Francis Scott Key, wrote it.
Lynda Martinez, San Jose

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Newsweek

32 minutes ago

• Newsweek

Zohran Mamdani Responds to Car Bomb Death Threats: 'Not Surprising'

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who is running in the Democratic primary for mayor in New York City, issued a statement after his office said it received multiple threats about blowing up his car. Newsweek reached out to Mamdani's campaign and the New York City Police Department outside of business hours for comment. The Context Mamdani has emerged as a leading candidate among the city's most progressive voters in the mayoral primary election due to policy proposals, including rent freezes and city-owned grocery stores to combat rising grocery costs. He has been endorsed by New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Most polls show that one of his rivals, Andrew Cuomo, a centrist candidate who resigned in 2021 as New York's governor amid allegations of sexual harassment that he has denied, has a lead over Mamdani. Whichever candidate wins will likely become the favorite in the November general election, given that New York City is a Democratic stronghold. Mamdani's campaign recently hired security to deal with the increasing threats made against him. He told reporters this week that he receives anti-Muslim messages and death threats. Zohran Mamdani attends the 2025 National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City on June 8, 2025. Zohran Mamdani attends the 2025 National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City on June 8, 2025. Credit: Katie Godowski/MediaPunch /IPX What To Know Mamdani's office received four voicemails from an unknown individual who said they would blow up his car, a spokesperson for his campaign told various news outlets. "After multiple death threats and racist messages, Assemblymember Mamdani's office is participating in an ongoing investigation by the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force," the statement said. "While Zohran does not own a car, the violent and specific language of what appears to be a repeat caller is alarming and we are taking every precaution. While this is a sad reality, it is not surprising after millions of dollars have been spent on dehumanizing, Islamophobic rhetoric designed to stoke division and hate. Violence and racism should have no place in our politics. Zohran remains focused on delivering a safe and affordable New York." The NYPD said it was investigating the report and added that the calls, which included "threatening anti-Muslim statements," were made on various dates and reported on Wednesday. What People Are Saying Zohran Mamdani told reporters earlier this week: "I get messages that say things like the only good Muslim is a dead Muslim. I get threats on my life and on the people that I love and I try not to talk about it." Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is also running in the primary, said in a statement thatit was "an atrocious threat of political violence" that "has no place in our politics or our society." What Happens Next The investigation into the threats is ongoing and is being conducted by the Hate Crime Task Force division of the NYPD. The primary election is next Tuesday, June 24, and early voting has opened. The general election for mayor is November 4, 2025.

Yahoo

35 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Making NYC affordable: Where the mayoral primary candidates stand on the housing crisis

NEW YORK — New York City is facing intertwined housing and affordability crises, with record rents and historically low apartment vacancy rates. About half of households struggle to pay for the basics while a quarter live in poverty. Within the debate over affordability, finding ways to create more affordable housing has become a major concern for voters. With the Democratic primary for mayor approaching on Tuesday, the Daily News is breaking down some of the key issues for voters and where each candidate stands on them. Here is how the contenders have proposed tackling the housing crisis on social media, in interviews, during debates and as part of their formal policy plans. We have included the top seven candidates who met the fundraising thresholds to qualify for the second debate. Adams has touted her housing record as Speaker, saying she is 'doing the work' with large-scale rezonings like City of Yes, Innovation QNS and the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan. As mayor she pledged to 'use every tool available' to address the housing crisis by cutting red tape and using emergency powers to get affordable housing built. She and the broader City Council also passed an expansion of the CityFHEPS rental assistance program as part of a protracted legal battle with Mayor Eric Adams. She has indicated she supports a rent freeze at least this year for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments. Cuomo has said he would use 'every option available' to develop 500,000 new apartments over a 10-year period. During the first debate, the former HUD secretary vowed to 'blow up' the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development to minimize bureaucracy, a proposal that was warmly received by real estate players but balked at by tenant advocates. Cuomo has not supported a rent freeze for rent-stabilized tenants, dismissing it as a 'politically convenient posture.' Opponents of a freeze have argued that the cost of operating and maintaining buildings would continue to rise while rents remained flat, potentially putting property owners in a precarious financial position. Lander has said he would be 'the best-prepared housing mayor,' citing his years in urban planning and work passing the Gowanus rezoning while on the Council. His lengthy housing plan involves declaring a housing emergency to expedite the development of 500,000 new units of housing over a decade, including on city-owned golf courses. It also calls for coming down harder on 'irresponsible' landlords and increasing funding for NYCHA and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Lander has called for a one-year rent freeze in his capacity as comptroller and expressed an openness to doing so again as mayor. Mamdani has made freezing rents for rent-stabilized tenants a centerpiece of his campaign, saying he would do so for all four years if elected mayor. His housing plan would triple the City's production of affordable housing with the aim of producing 200,000 new homes over ten years. Mamdani would also fast-track 100% affordable projects, double the money being spent to preserve public housing and beef up municipal housing agencies. Mamdani proposes funding many of his ambitious plans by increasing taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers. Myrie has pitched himself as the 'YIMBY' candidate, with a plan to build and preserve one million homes over a decade. It includes revitalizing NYCHA, building more in Midtown, reallocating shelter financing for housing and expanding the Right to Counsel program. Myrie has called for a one-year rent freeze for tenants in rent-stabilized apartments and said he would consider it in the future. Stringer's housing plan — dubbed 'Mitchell-Lama 2.0' — includes developing affordable homes by building on underutilized city-owned lots and reclaiming derelict properties from neglectful landlords. He further hopes to bolster public housing by securing $40 billion for NYCHA improvements. The former hedge fund manager summarized his housing mantra as 'unleash the private sector.' Tilson says he would cut red tape in order to create more affordable housing by streamlining zoning and approval processes, and said the city should be constructing at least 100,000 new units annually. Tilson indicated at the second debate that he does not support a rent freeze for rent-stabilized tenants this year.

Yahoo

40 minutes ago

• Yahoo

2000s rock band bans Trump supporters from attending all shows: ‘It's not for you'

Ronnie Winter, frontman of the emo rock band The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, has prohibited all Donald Trump supporters from attending any of their shows. The singer, 42, reiterated his stance against the president and his supporters in a recent Instagram Video, saying: 'I thought I was pretty clear about all this stuff in 2020. As you notice on my Instagram, I did not remove any of that stuff from the Stay Woke campaign. 'Look, man, the thing about being woke is you're awake. And once you're awake, you can never go to sleep. And not only has nothing changed, but everything they said was going to happen, the woke people, has happened. You have done nothing but prove them right,' he said. Reintroducing himself as the lead singer of the 2000s band, Winter continued: 'I actually follow what Jesus says. If you're a Christian and you're watching this and you voted for Donald Trump, shame on you. 'You are not allowed to come to my shows. I don't want you there. Don't come to my shows. It's awesome that you love 'Face Down.' It's not for you. It's not your song. It is not your song,' he added of the group's number one hit. 'If you voted for Donald Trump, do not come to my shows or ever, not just these four years,' he added, warning, 'Don't come to my shows because you're going to hear a lot of woke propaganda, and you're going to hear the actual words of Jesus. You're going to see a lot of acceptance from all areas of life and races, and you're just going to see a lot of harmony. That's not what you're about. Don't come. Refunds are available. Forever, don't come. Goodbye.' The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus were formed in 2001 by childhood friends Winter and guitarist Duke Kitchens, who left the group in 2011 to focus on his personal life. The five-piece band are best known for their 2006 song 'Face Down,' from their debut studio album Don't You Fake It. They've gone on to release four more albums: Lonely Road (2009), Am I the Enemy (2011), 4 (2014), and The Awakening (2018). The current lineup includes Winter, his brother Randy Winter on rhythm guitar, bassist Joey Westwood, lead guitarist Josh Burke, and drummer John Espy. The group's firm stance against Trump and his supporters comes shortly after fellow rock band Green Day reportedly called on their crowd to label the president a 'fat bastard' during their June 13 headline slot at Download Festival. 'Ladies and gentlemen, we are slipping into fascism… It's up to us to fight back!' lead singer Billie Joe declared.