Unpopular opinion: Cinco de Mayo should not be celebrated in the United States.
When you think of Cinco de Mayo what comes to mind? I can almost guarantee that the answer is not a celebration of Mexico’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla. In America, Cinco de Mayo is used as an excuse to party and drink without understanding the deeper meaning.
In the 1860s, France was invading Mexico through the leadership of Napoleon the III. France wanted to expand their empire into Latin America. Cinco de Mayo should celebrate the date in which Mexico was able to repel France from their lands. Cinco de Mayo is not even celebrated throughout the entire country of mexico. It is mainly celebrated in the state of Puebla where the battle was fought and won by the Mexican people. It is actually more celebrated in the United States, but I don't believe that is actually "celebrated" as intended too. Cinco de Mayo became really popular in the United States in the 1980s due to beer and wine companies that were advertising to buy liquor for Cinco de Mayo. Since then, the sales of liquor for Cinco de Mayo skyrocket! In Mexico, this battle of Puebla is celebrated from military parades, different ceremonies, festivals of art/food, and reenactment of the battle. A common misconception is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence day, but that is not true it's actually September 16. Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of winning a battle against the French and a major victory for the Mexican people.
Most people don't even know what this day is truly celebrating. This day is meant to commemorate Mexican history, heritage, and culture. However it's usually associated with chips and salsa, margaritas, and tacos. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo is not someone being culturally knowledgeable unless they actually learn about this day in Mexican history. I am not Mexican therefore I don't partake in these custom traditions, but Mexican culture does take part in my life. Colombia has a large Mexican influence including Mexican films, telenovelas , and most important of all the music(ranchera and the classic mariachi). Even though I’ve grown up with some influences of Mexican culture, I do not celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Mexican heritage ,while it's important to learn, is not my own and I would not take a day so important to another culture as an excuse to fiesta!
The way it is celebrate in the US can be disrespectful; and the fact that here we mostly associate the holiday with food and drink as opposed to the historical significance is honestly very disappointing. I love the last sentence so much! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteIt is disappointing that we take a day so important in the Mexican culture and just associate with food rather than the actual significance. lol thanks, I made a lot of revisions with that last sentence!
DeleteYes, it is not celebrated here for those reasons, more or less it's a reason to eat and drink certain foods. Maybe similar to St. Patrick's day or Fat Tuesday for some. America has taken on many celebrations just for fun and don't always take the time to understand or acknowledge the significance.
ReplyDeleteI agree Cinco de Mayo is not celebrated for the reasons it should be culture and heritage. I am not Irish therefore I never celebrated Saint Patrick's day. I don't think it's respectful to take a day from someone else culture and completely disregard the true meaning.
DeleteI never knew what the meaning behind Cinco de Mayo was until I read this. I agree that we shouldn't celebrate Cinco de Mayo in America when most people probably don't even know the true meaning behind it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to read this! I completely agree, how can we celebrate a holiday that doesn't even pertain to us or our culture. It should not be celebrated especially when when people do not know the true meaning.
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