How to Celebrate Cinco De Mayo Without Being an Ignorant Jerk
This is Cinco de Mayo, the day many people drink tequila and eat Mexican food to commemorate …
Exactly. You do not know! But don’t worry. Celebrating today is okay, but it’s a good idea to brush up on your knowledge of the holiday and also avoid offensive stereotypes during the party.
At the very least, take a few minutes to explore the history of Cinco de Mayo before cramming lime into your crown. No, this is not Mexico’s Independence Day ( Grito de Delores ) – it’s September 16th. It is actually a commemoration day for the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when the Mexican army successfully defended itself against the French. In the 1950s, Chicano activists turned Cinco de Mayo into a commemorative holiday used to introduce Mexican Americans to their cultural heritage. Then, just like St. Patrick’s Day , it morphed over the years into a party scene, thanks in large part to the big beer corporations.
But don’t worry, it’s okay to get to the Cinco de Mayo, no matter who you are. After all, another purpose of the holiday is to introduce non-Chicano people to Mexican culture. Here are some positive things you can do today to celebrate this occasion:
- Read a little Mexican history, learn about prominent Mexican Americans, or read classic Mexican literature while sipping on this margarita.
- Sample Mexican food at an authentic, off-chain Mexican restaurant. The Chipotle is delicious, but not exactly Mexican food. Support the real thing at your favorite local place.
- Instead, prepare Mexican food at home using authentic recipes .
- While you cook and have fun, listen to traditional Mexican music. Look for Ranchera, Norteño, Grupero, Tejano and of course, don’t forget Mariachi. Although not so traditional, I will listen a lot to one and only Selena .
- Take a moment to learn about organizations that fight for immigrant rights and justice, such as the American Civil Liberties Union , Border Angels, and the United Hispanic Citizens League .
When you’re making tequila shots, sipping Serveza, and consuming copious amounts of guacamole, here are some tips from SWORD de Braun to keep in mind:
- Don’t wear a giant faux mustache, sombrero, or serape, especially if sold at party stores. They are not needed to have a good time, but they reinforce abusive stereotypes.
- Don’t perpetuate harmful stereotypes, don’t use silly, disrespectful voices, or run around screaming “Cinco de Drinko!” Come on.
- Hold your friends accountable during a party. If someone does something wrong, stand up for what you think is right. And if someone asks you to do something a little borderline, show respect and understanding.
Cinco de Mayo is a wonderful day that everyone will enjoy. Just give it the attention it deserves if you want to celebrate, and avoid tactless behavior as best you can.