Today a battle in the war for the hearts and minds of Americans will be waged during the Super Bowl halftime show. Representing the Interdependent Mindset will be Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican megastar, whose songs fuse the raw energy of urban music and resistance politics. Representing the Independent Mindset will be Kid Rock, a country rock performer and Trump supporter.
When it was announced that Bad Bunny would be performing at the Super Bowl in Spanish the Maga folks reacted with outrage. In an article in The Guardian it is reported that “Turning Point USA, the group founded by the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, will broadcast an alternative “All American” half-time show, featuring Kid Rock and a lineup of country singers. “We plan to play great songs for folks who love America,” the rap-rocker turned Trump ally said in a statement.”
The battle lines are being drawn and they are being drawn between the values of the Interdependent Mindset and those of the Independent Mindset.
A Quinnipiac University poll conducted in October found that nearly half of Americans approved of the league’s decision, while 29% disapproved. Support broke sharply along partisan, generational and racial lines, with Democrats, young people and Hispanic adults far more likely to express support.
– reported in The Guardian article Bad Bunny to meet political moment as Maga fumes over Super Bowl show
I am not sure about Hispanic adults leaning more toward the Interdependent Mindset but I do believe that Democrats and young people are often open to the values of that mindset. As for Bad Bunny himself there is some evidence that he might be more inclined to support the values of the Interdependent Mindset than those of the Independent Mindset. The following examples are taken from Wikipedia.
Bad Bunny criticized the lack of humanitarian aid in the wake of Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017. Later the same year, Bad Bunny performed at Somos Live! Telethon, a benefit concert for hurricane relief across Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Caribbean. During his set, Bad Bunny wore a shirt criticizing then-President Donald Trump with the message: “¿Eres Twitero o Presidente?” (“Are You a Twitterer or President?”).
Interdependent Mindset Values: social justice, compassion, personal responsibility
In 2020, Bad Bunny appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as a musical guest and brought attention to the killing of Alexa Negrón Luciano, a transgender woman from Puerto Rico. He wore a white T-shirt with the words “Mataron a Alexa, no a un hombre con falda,” (“They killed Alexa, not a man in a skirt.”) and a black skirt.[170] That same year, Bad Bunny performed in drag for his music video “Yo Perreo Sola.” The performance has been characterized as challenging traditional gender roles within reggaetón and bringing awareness to harassment and violence against women.
Interdependent Mindset Values: tolerence, inclusion, compassion
Kid Rock, on the other hand has made it clear his values fall within those of the Independent Mindset. His open support for Trump pretty much says it all. But there are other indications. Here are some taken from Wikipedia.
Kid Rock wrote and performed the song “Cool, Daddy Cool” which was later used in the 2001 film Osmosis Jones. In the song, Kid Rock said the controversial lyrics “Young ladies, young ladies, I like ’em underage see, Some say that’s statutory (But I say it’s mandatory)”
Independent Mindset Values: intolerance, power, self interest
In 2007 and 2008, Ritchie (Kid Rock) toured for the United Service Organizations.[109] Also in 2008, Ritchie recorded and made a music video for the song “Warrior” for a National Guard advertising campaign.
Independent Mindset Values: strong boundaries and rules, exclusionary patriotism
On June 30, 2022, he posted a meme on Truth Social and on Twitter stating, “If you’re anti-gun, you don’t get to celebrate the 4th of July, You would have never fought back. Enjoy your pride month. Pussy.”[124]
Independent Mindset Values: intolerance, exclusion, division
One means of determining the winner in this battle between mindsets will be the number of people tuning in to watch Bad Bunny and Kid Rock. My money is on Bad Bunny and his apparent support for the values of the Interdependent Mindset.