Ukiah (CA) students praise, some parents pan Spanish-language anthem

[Kadie]

Ukiah students praise, some parents pan Spanish-language anthem

By GLENDA ANDERSON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Friday, November 18, 2011 at 5:25 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, November 18, 2011 at 7:11 p.m.

Ukiah High School officials broadcast a Spanish-language interpretation of the Star Spangled Banner over school loudspeakers Friday morning, sparking some complaints from parents but earning mostly praise from students.

“It was kind of nice,” said Eli Nunez, a senior at the school. She said it made her her feel included. “They always sing the national anthem in English,” she said.

The song, “Nuestro Himno” or “Our Anthem,” was played as part of the school's weekly patriotic broadcasts, school officials said.

“On Fridays we have patriotic observances that are musical,” said Chris Francis, an assistant principal.

snip...
Playing the song was an attempt to reach out to more of the school's 1,600 students, about half of them Latino, said Linda Denton, assistant superintendent of the Ukiah Unified School District.

Other broadcasts have featured Whitney Houston singing the anthem and the country-western song, “I'm Proud to be an American.” An English class recently worked out a rap version of the anthem.

more...
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20111118/ARTICLES/111119448/1350?Title=Ukiah-students-praise-some-parents-pan-Spanish-language-anthem

[izquierdista]

1. So, it's really not the national anthem then....

Usually, it is the music that makes the anthem. 'O Canada' is the same tune with a set of French and English lyrics. Lyrics that aren't all that close.

I've got an idea! :think: If they want to sing an anthem, why not sing the anthem of the 99%, 'The Internationale'? That one comes in lots of languages:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7PrVtZAG4M