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The Rotunda
Friday, July 4, 2025

America Does Not have an 'Official' Language

   Charles de Gaulle once said, “Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.” The backlash that blew up social media Sunday night and Monday morning proved just that.

   Sunday night’s Super Bowl was a huge upset for many Broncos fans, but the score wasn’t the only thing upsetting people. After Coca-Cola’s “It’s Beautiful” commercial, which featured the patriotic song “America the Beautiful” being sung in multiple languages, Tweets and Facebook posts began popping up about how inappropriate it was that such an American song be sung in languages other than English (according to some, the “official” language of America).

   But Tweets and Facebook statuses are not the only things Coke has to worry about. Coca-Cola’s Facebook page has been bombarded with hateful comments from both sides of the debate, some protestors even calling for a complete boycott on the $79 billion company. That is nationalism at its finest.

   First, to clear things up, the United States does not have an official language. Yes, the primary language spoken in the United States is English. However, nowhere in any federal document does it state that everyone in the United States must speak English. With that out of the way, our nation is a nation built on freedom and immigration. Starting with the Pilgrims and the Puritans, we have been and still are a nation to which people come for protection from persecution and for better opportunities. Immigrants flock to the United States every year for a better life. With this immigration comes new languages, cultures and religions. Some of these cultures assimilate into “American” society and become “normal,” but others keep their heritage and even their language.

   This has been what happens in our country, in the United States, in America, for years. America is a country of many cultures and many languages. Coca-Cola did a great thing in honoring many of those cultures and incorporating into their commercials what makes this country what it is: diverse.

   Many have come to America, either recently or years ago, and by day have assimilated into present “American” culture, but still follow the customs of their own heritage, such as language. During the day, these people blend in with American culture, following “American” fads and speaking English. However, when they get home at night they speak only their native tongue and follow the cultural practices of their native heritage.

   The Coca-Cola commercial sent out a clear message of respect and openness to everyone in America, regardless of custom, heritage or language. Those who were not born in this country, or follow current “American” customs, know what that commercial emphasized: that this diverse country is truly “America the Beautiful.”

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