As an Irish boy from Texas, I'm usually more amused than perplexed by what passes as St. Patrick's Day in Dallas. I know, I know — everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's day, but that still doesn't explain why a large percentage of the populace paint themselves green and wear New Orleans juju beads and drink copious amounts of Guinness on public thoroughfares in the wee hours of the morning. Okay, the Guinness part I understand, but I don't get the connection between St. Patrick and the Hulk.
If everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's Day, then everybody's Mexican on Cinco de Mayo. Coronas stand in for Guinness, we all become experts on Mexican cuisine, and we all find another excuse to get soused. At least we don't put green dye in the Coronas. I'm not knocking it, mind you — it's a nice little party. It's just that we gringos don't quite get it.
We like to label Cinco de Mayo as Mexican Independence Day, which it isn't. Mexico declared independence from Spain 15 September 1810. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla, 5 May 1862, in which a heavily outnumbered, ragtag force of Mexicans, mostly Mestizo and Zapotec Indians called Zacapoaxtlas, defeated the French army of Napoleon III. It was a short-lived victory, since the French regrouped and eventually put Maximillian in power in Mexico for a few years. Still, the Battle of Puebla is one of those inspirational events that speak to the universality of the human spirit.
It's fitting that Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more north of the border than it is in Mexico. At the time of the battle, the United States was embroiled in its Civil War, and the French viewed it as an opportunity to stop the Monroe Doctrine's manifesto of one country that spanned the continent. They were already funding the Confederacy in an attempt to slow down the United States' westward expansion. While it may be a stretch to hint that the Battle of Puebla had a hand in saving the United States, it can't be denied that Mexico slowed France's empirical dreams that day. Today's world could be very different had it not been for what happened on Cinco de Mayo, 1862.
Article comments
1 - Mary K. Williams
"If everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's Day, then everybody's Mexican on Cinco de Mayo. Coronas stand in for Guinness, we all become experts on Mexican cuisine, and we all find another excuse to get soused. At least we don't put green dye in the Coronas. I'm not knocking it, mind you â€" it's a nice little party. It's just that we gringos don't quite get it."
SO true Ray! I remember researching the holiday last year and learning more than I realized.(Which I will toast tonight with a frosty Margarita.)
2 - El Bicho
Nice piece. Is this celebrated outside the border states as much as St. Patty's Day?
"I think it's important today to remember that we Americans are not an island unto ourselves."
I think that's important every day.
3 - Ray Ellis
If you're ever in Dallas, Mary, I'll introduce you to frozen margaritas. They were invented here in a little cantina in Old Town, and are a treat not to be missed.
Gordon, I'm really not sure how extensively Cinco de Mayo is celebrated, but I know there are major celebrations in Colorado and Oregon. My theory is that it's well on its way to becoming one of our unofficial holidays, much like St. Patrick's Day.
Oh, and thanks for getting my subtle hint.
4 - Adam Jacobi
Sorry, but the whole "Drinko De Mayo" legacy smacks more of successful alcohol manfacturers' advertising than Mexican pride.
5 - John Gatch
What is a Hispanic or Latino anyhow? The terms are mostly used in the U.S. Does it mean that you speak Spanish or that one of your ancestors did? It's certainly not a race distinguished by a unique gene pool as Latin American itself is a diversity of not only decedents of Spanish Europeans and many others from other European countries, but also a multitude of various Native American tribes, and people from India and Africa (whose ancestors were indentured servants and slaves respectively).
There is also not a homogeneous culture in "Latin" America or in any one of its countries. So what is a Latino? Someone from Latin? Oh right, that's not a place but an antiquated language whose geographical center was modern day Italy. So why are Italian Americans lumped into the "white people" genera when Spain and Portugal are further from the old center of Latin speakers. Yet Spanish and Portuguese have Latin as a foundation as does French, but the French are also deemed "white people".
The Roman Empire is world renown for its great power so causing the world to identify a group of countries as Latinos can be used as a cultural marketing tool to reinvent a group of third world countries and their peoples. Coming to the United States, you no longer have to be from a poor country like El Salvador or Mexico. You are now Latino! You are a Hispanic and a minority at that, who can command special funding and services from America's government. If you are ever denied or anyone should question this status, then certainly it could only be because they're racist or at least that's how the power is maintained. Demanding silence to any questions or debate using the 'R' word is ironic because it is America that has granted many freedoms like the freedom of speech, but to gain power for one's Raza even freedom of speech must be put aside.
The terms Hispanic and Latino are as ridiculous as if there were a special word like Englishian for someone whose ancestors once came from an English speaking country like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the U.K. or the U.S. before migrating to a Spanish speaking country.
6 - dude
you sound like a pritty nice guy!
what specific regions is this celebrated at?
and who exactly celebrates it?
c-ya dude!