Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the day when 4,000 Mexican troops (or were they Guatemalan?) successfully defeated an invading force of 6,000 French troops (or was it 8,000?) in the Battle of… umm…. I knew this!
In truth, few people know the history of Cinco de Mayo – not even Mexican Americans, much less any other brand of Latino. It turns out that the Battle of Puebla (I remember now) was actually an important turning point in both Mexican and American history: Mexico defeated a much larger European force (which it had rarely ever done), and France was denied a base of operations from which to supply the Confederate Army with funds and supplies.
But honestly, who cares about all that? (Well, I do, but I don’t count because I’m a history dweeb; I’m forced to care.) All that matters is that college frat boys from San Fran to N.Y.C. will be sporting colorful ponchos, oversized sombreros (maybe filled with chips and salsa) and fake bandito mustaches. And to that I say, “¡Órale!”
Cinco de Mayo is quickly becoming another St. Patty’s Day for much of America, a day on which Americans – not knowing the origins behind the true holiday, and with little understanding of the culture to which it pertains – dress up in green (sometimes even as leprechauns), take in a parade and then take in a pint or two (or five) of Guinness at a local pub. Everybody claims to be Irish on St. Patty’s Day – especially if you live in a town like Boston or Chicago, where everyone practically is Irish.
Should Irish Americans be offended by how the non-Irish celebrate the Emerald Isle’s most religious and patriotic holiday? Of course they should. Yet Irish Americans have come to realize these displays as a strange form of flatter, since no one can deny the Irish influence on America.
And Latinos should take notice of how far Irish Americans have come. In less than a century, the Irish went from being the most discriminated and religiously persecuted minority in the United States to being an integral part of the American fabric. I like to think that St. Patty’s Day had a lot to do with that. Maybe Cinco de Mayo can do the same for Latinos.
In that sense, Latinos of every national origin need to lay down their nationalistic pride and recognize the importance of Cinco de Mayo and its potential benefit to future generations of Latinos. But to accomplish that, Cinco de Mayo must become something of a pan-Latino celebration (which it’s not far from becoming anyway).
When most Americans think “Latino,” they think “Mexican,” and census data show that they’re not entirely wrong in doing so. Figures point out that at least 60 percent of Latinos in America are Mexican, so to some extent, Latino culture is predominately Mexican culture.
That being the case, it’s unfair of Latinos to demand that non-Latinos respect all the differences between Mexicans and Puerto Ricans, Hondurans and Guatemalans, or Argentinians and Colombians. A Latino is a Latino is a Latino – different histories, yes, but at the end of the day, just lines on a map.
So this Cinco de Mayo, every Latino should crack open their Mexican beer of choice, play some Celia Cruz, and in their best grito, scream out, “¡Viva la latinidad!”
About Hector Luis Alamo, Jr.
food and beer..lol.
people who aren’t of that culture celebrating it (without knowing what it’s about) as an excuse to get drunk and party
Hmm Guatemalan? Gotta brush up on the history portion thought they were Maxican but more specifically a native Indian.
Don’t wanna be a party-pooper, but Cinco de Mayo is a MEXICAN regional holiday (celebrated in Puebla …. and the US), so turning it into a Pan-Latino celebration would be kinda weird. Not saying that other Latinos (and non-Latinos) can’t celebrate it …. just like St. Patrick Day, they can all party on that day, but putting up flags from El Salvador and Argentina would not really go with the Cinco de Mayo theme. Just like they don’t put up British, German and French flags on on St. Paddy’s Day to make it a Pan-European celebration, but the doors are still open to all who want an excuse to celebrate.
Guatemalan???? C’mon, how would you write “or were they Guatemalan?” Puebla is not even close to Guatemala. Though I have nothing against Guatemalans, my aunt is Guatemalan but c’mooon
http://maps.pickatrail.com/north_america/mexico/map/puebla.gif
I dont mind other Latinos celebrating, ive seen central-americans in California who celebrate it and also gringos
Gettin boracho y la mota. Two green plants! (their four leaf clover, our five leafed plant of fun)
I also have to say that my family doesn’t celebrate 5 de Mayo lol my family always found it weird how this celebration is very big in the USA but not in Mexico, they say 5 de Mayo is for Poblanos not for Michoacanos.
La Peda..Que No Ha!
Celia Cruz was Cuban, not Mexican. The General Zaragoza who succesfully defended Puebla, was a Texan. Remember, Texas was mexican once.
5 de Mayo was one battle fought in Puebla, Mexico. After all the wars Mexico had endured over the past 15 yrs, Mexico couldn’t pay its debt to European countries so Benito Juarez decided to just not pay it. An agreement was made with England and Spain but France (under Napoleon III) wanted to invade. France wanted to establish itself in North America to counter the growing power of the U.S..Mexico ultimately lost the war with France and Maxilimiliano was made Emperor of Mexico but that didn’t last long. Something that many people don’t now is that Mexico winning the Battle of Puebla actually helped the North during the American Civil War, France was eager for the U.S. to be divided and was planning on helping the South but since Mexico had put of more of a fight than what was expected, France’s plans fell through.
The Guatemala reference was meant to be sarcasm in terms of people not knowing what cinco de mayo is about.
Thanks for posting the real story!!! Please if we are latins, let’s try not to post ignorant stuff, let’s teach ourselves and our children the real culture of our beautiful countries. 5 de mayo is big celebration in the US because “Corona” beer, made a great marketing.
Who is going to think of Guatemalans when they think of 5 de Mayo?? lol no one
Dont mean to sound ignorant but what DO they have in common? Dont keep me in suspense, inquiring minds want to know, lol.
Tragos
Mexico’s second European influence is French, they are many French communities in Mexico who have been in Mexico for generations. I have French ancestry from my paternal grandmother side. The French diffidently left a mark in Mexico’s culture. Also the term Latin America was introduced by the French Empire of Napoleon III, when Napoleon invaded Mexico, Mexicans were labeled Latinos. I am amazed how mexicans were the first ones to be called Latino, and that was because of the French invasion, not I wonder how did the rest of the Hispanics started to label themselves Latino? It would be interesting to know.
Externational dates for national drinking excuse… finally.! We can all get alone now!!
The reference to “Guatemala” was sarcasm, people! LOL!!!
“it’s unfair of Latinos to demand that non-Latinos respect all the differences between…” Not possible for us Poncenos. We take orgullo to another level. But I developed a non-confrontational approach to informing the innocently ignorant. I simply ask them whether Australians and Canadians are exactly the same in every single way. If they have a brain they see what you are saying and inquire about the differences. Everybody wins. For the rest who want to call us all Mexicans, they are what I call intentionally idiotic and should avoided like playing vodka pong.
That being said any reason to drink is a good thing. Cheers! Remember don’t drink and drive this weekend, you might hit something and spill your beer. : )
El ejercito trigarante kicked butt!! Viva Mexico y la latinidad!!!
BEER
Being a Latino, with an Anglo surname has been both an advantage & handicap. My book “VICE” a Memoir on my childhood & adulthood in the City Of Compton Ca. never received exposure in the Latino Press. My insight as a Latino growing up & working as a Homicide detective In America’s Most Dangerous City COMPTON CA. was described by Kirkus Reviews, “Harrowing…Thrilling…In Your face Violence And Resilient Heroism That Leaps Off The Page” I am hopeful that my (50)yrs. experience as a Police Officer & Citizen Of Compton can be expanded through the National Media to the American Public ! John R. Baker Cop-Author of “VICE” !