May is known for a lot of things. Springtime, Mother’s Day, allergy season; the list goes on. However, one of the most notable parts of May is Cinco de Mayo.
On May 5th, 1862, Mexican forces defeated French colonizers in the Battle of Puebla. French General Charles Latrille de Lorencez marched 6,000 troops to invade the town of Puebla, Los Angeles. He assumed it would be easy to seize the town because the French army had many more advanced military advantages compared the Mexicans.
Meanwhile, President Benito Juarez gathered a last-minute army of 2,000 men and prepared them to defend the town against French assault. Although they were out-manned and outgunned, General Ignacio Zaragoza led Mexican forces to victory and drove the French to retreat after losing 500 men. Less than 100 Mexicans died in the battle, and with American support, the French were finally forced out of Mexico in 1867.
Fast forward to the 21st century. Cinco de Mayo is one of the most commercialized holidays in the United States, inspiring an unfortunate plethora of “Mexican” themed parties. Annually, Americans wear sombreros, fake mustaches and go out drinking. They are not celebrating the Mexican army’s victory over the French. They are just finding an excuse to get drunk. Most of them probablythink Cinco de Mayo is Mexican independence day!
Reinforcing stereotypes about Mexican culture being centered around drinking is extremely disrespectful and problematic no matter the circumstance. In 2017 with the rise in anti-immigrant sentiment specifically aimed at Mexicans, it especially harmful to utilize Mexican culture in this way while disregarding the Mexican people themselves. Furthermore, it is ironic that many people celebrating Cinco de Mayo are the same ones who voted for Donald Trump and his border wall. How can you chant “Build That Wall” but spring break in Cabo and “celebrate” Cinco de Mayo?
This victory during the battle of Puebla did not end the war, but it increased hope and boosted morale in the Mexican soldiers. It signifies the strength and power of the Mexican army, and is a point of pride for the Mexican people even though it is not heavily celebrated in Mexico. Although it was introduced to the U.S. by Mexican-Americans in the 1960s as a celebration for empowerment, it has been hijacked by capitalism and appropriation.
This Cinco de Mayo don’t go out to some themed party, drink tequila and wear a racist costume. Instead, sit down and educate yourself, or don’t do anything at all. Culture is not a costume and it is not a theme. The hypocrisy of people stereotyping Mexicans as low class, job stealing, “bad hombres”, yet simultaneously appropriating their culture, is an example of the way gringos dehumanize people of color until it is convenient to use them.
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