Cinco de Mayo: What is it and how should we celebrate?
Cinco de Mayo is a commonly misunderstood holiday. There’s been cultural appropriation of the Mexican culture in an attempt to celebrate the holiday, along with a general lack of knowledge about the national holiday. Let’s unpack what Cinco de Mayo really means, and how you can celebrate it respectfully.
Let’s start with what Cinco de Mayo is not. May 5th is not the day Mexico received its independence. Instead, it is the celebration and commemoration of The Battle of Puebla. Puebla was the site of Mexico’s win over French troops, who were led by Napoleon III. Napoleon planned to take over the country and install a French monarch, but General Ignacio Zaragoza was not going to surrender. He led 2,000 Mexican soldiers against 6,000 French troops in the town of Puebla in 1861, and won. The victory was unprecedented; the pride and devotion to Mexican heritage was solidified among the people, who named Cinco de Mayo a national holiday. The name later became a battle cry during other battles and is a holiday filled with love and respect for the people who fought so hard to protect Mexico.
The people of Puebla and Mexican citizens were overcome with relief and joy at the victory. Not only were they outmanned, they were outgunned and seen as an incapable people. This victory showed the world that Mexicans are fierce, able, and not to be messed with. The immense pride and sense of accomplishment that came from overcoming such a prolific colonizer swept through the country. It was a celebration of independence, in a sense, and showed the world that Mexico can defend itself.
Chicano activists raised awareness of the holiday in the 1960s, to celebrate indigenous Mexicans and refute the continued efforts of European invaders. Mexico’s actual independence day is September 16th, 1810 — nearly 50 years before the Battle of Puebla. As a result of the country’s size and debt they had to fight to remain independent against Spain, France and America.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated all over the world through parades, festivals, and parties. Although the true commemoration of the Battle of Puebla is primarily recognized in the town of Puebla, the celebration of Mexican pride and heritage lives on. Towns with substantial Mexican-American populations, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston, host some of the largest festivals where you can find people expressing their heritage through Mexican folk dancing and traditional foods such as mole poblano.
There have been a number of controversies over the way, and the reason why, people celebrate Cinco de Mayo. There have been instances of people dressing up like Mexicans, using accents, and poking fun at the heritage while using it as a theme for parties. The defamation of a culture for pleasure has received strong condemnation, and rightly so. Cinco de Mayo is the story of the underdog. It is one of strength and resilience. In today’s world the reminder that Mexican people are just as capable and deserving of equality is necessary. Being an ally to Mexican people is more than a celebratory party. If you want to honor the Mexican culture and communities around you, take initiative in learning how you can support them. A few options are to buy from local Mexican organizations, educate yourself on the meaning of Cinco de Mayo, and advocate for equal rights for all people.
Here are some more excellent tips on how to celebrate Cinco de Mayo respectfully.
As we near May 5th, keep in mind that this is a special holiday for an entire population of people, much like Juneteenth. It’s important to show respect and camaraderie when celebrating, which means celebrating for the right reasons. While there is nothing wrong with participating in Mexican culture and festivities in order to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, make sure you are supporting the community year round, and not just for one day a year. This day honors the fight for independence, and a win over European colonizers. As you celebrate, keep that in mind.
Just being aware of the actual reason behind Cinco de Mayo is a great first step in becoming a more inclusive ally. Use this information to inform others and hold them to the same respectable standard that you hold for yourself.
