Today is Cinco de Mayo and knowing my students they will try their hardest to get me off-topic and into a long discussion of the meaning of this holiday—and if they are skilled at the art of getting a teacher very OT, into a discussion of the perils of binge drinking. One of the benefits of this blog is that I can merely direct them here and continue on with the decline of the USSR.
For those who are unaware of the history here is a decent account from National Geographic. As you may remember from the beginning of the year, today is not Mexican Independence Day. September 16th commemorates the Cry of Delores speech (”Mexicanos, viva México”) by Father Miguel Hidalgo. Here is an article that sums up these events and at the end explains the September 15th vs. September 16th confusion started by Porfirio Diaz on the 100th anniversary in 1910. Diaz is also responsible for instituting Cinco de Mayo as a national holiday.
Some things I find interesting/curious about this holiday and perhaps some of you would like to comment:
1. Diaz took part in the resistance to French invasion (most accounts even put him at the May 5, 1862 victory at Puebla) and yet in 1911 when he was ousted from his presidency by Francisco Madera, Diaz fled to Paris. Seems unlikely that he would have made a French friend during Emperor Maximilian’s reign. So why France?
2. The invasion by the French in 1862 violated the Monroe Doctrine. When we first discussed the Monroe Doctrine in class we said that back in 1823 the United States did not have the means to enforce this policy and were relying on British support. Wondering if the U.S. was more capable in 1862 to defend the Monroe Doctrine, but was unable to because of the U.S. Civil War (1861-1865)?
3. Interesting that Cinco de Mayo became such an American holiday….good excuse to have schoolchildren learn about the culture of our neighbor to the south. (Wondering what Veronica will be bringing home in her backpack…she was saying something about a pinata party). However, today it seems the anti-imperialist message resonates with all Latinos and produces anti-American feelings centered around the immigration issue.
4. I am probably the only person thinking about questions 1-3 (please, someone comment to the contrary). Most people are excited for the Cinco de Mayo festivities at the local pub….lots of Margaritas and Coronas and maybe half-priced nachos. It’s like another St. Patrick’s Day—-just an excuse to party and who cares what exactly it is we are celebrating.
6 responses so far ↓
1
Rubi
// May 5, 2008 at 3:29 pm
In Detroit, the celebration of Cinco de Mayo has become sort of an ethnic holiday. It’s not just about the battle of Puebla, though many from Puebla. . .including those of my own family. . . take particular pride that day.
It’s about a day when it’s OK to carry a Mexican flag around to show pride in one’s history and not be accused of being un-American.
It’s about a day when one listens to Detroit area prized Mariachi and be proud that this is our heritage.
It’s about parents bringing their kids to the fiesta in full Jalisco dress. . .or China Poblana. . .or Oaxaca. . . to dance and perform during the festivities. . . Proud that our children not only carry on these traditions, but proud that our children want to carry on these traditions.
The fiesta is about cascarones and papel cortado. . .and a myriad of other types of creative works.
In Detroit, the Cinco de Mayo has become a day when it’s OK for folks of all Latin American background to wear/carry a flag. This year alone so far I’ve seen: Mexico, Puerto Rico, Columbia, El Salvador, Honduras, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Guatemala.. . and, yes, even the Stars and Stripes!
Drinking??? Well, yeah, there’s a beer tent. But I think it’s mainstream captalistic America that makes this an abusive liquor event. If there’s a dollar to be had, some beer company out there will promote the event.
Not to say that some Latinos don’t get sloshed. I’m just trying to point out that this day, Cinco de Mayo, is a lot larger than beer And, at least in the United States for folks of Latin background, it most certainly has become a lot larger than the history of the Battle of Puebla.
2
buell
// May 5, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Thank you for your comment…you have given my students much to think about. To learn more about what this commenter mentions click on the name Rubi above…you will be taken to a fascinating blog all about Cinco de Mayo.
3
Andrew Hunt
// May 7, 2008 at 10:01 am
Cinco de Mayo is a popular holiday in America because it is a Mexican holiday and since we had conquered Mexican lands we have Mexicans who are Americans. So, ask not why it is a holiday, but ask why is it not a holiday.
4
sam barrows
// May 19, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I don’t know every person in America, but as far as the ones that I do know, Cinco de Mayo is just an excuse to get absolutly trashed. I was the only one who knew what Cinco de Mayo was.
5
dolanpresidentjacobs
// May 19, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Cinco de mayo is considered a major holiday for the Mexican peoplr but for people like me it doesn’t matter.
6
Andrew Hunt
// May 20, 2008 at 10:57 am
so your saying that the french challenging our Pride and Power is nothing
I mean now no one cares about the french but back then they were a force to reckon with
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