This webmaster wrote this article on May 5, 2005, also
known as “Cinco
de Mayo.” In case you actually want to know the history of Cinco de Mayo
and its history in Mexico, please check out Cinco
de Mayo History.
Now in case you didn’t know the webmaster has comes
from a Mexican ethnic background. In reality, Cinco de Mayo is not as important
of a holiday as one
would think to the actual Mexicans living in Mexico.
First off, Mexican has two independence days in its calendar that occurred in
the 1800s.
The first actual Mexican independence day occurred on September 16, 1810 when
Miguel Hidalgo declared the Mexicans independence for almost three centuries
from the Spaniards. As a result, the first Mexican Independence Day is celebrated
on September 16 every year. (1st
Mexican Independence)
Now the second independence came when Maximillian Napoleon and the French took
control over Mexico during a couple of decades. Then on May 5, 1862, the Mexican
rebel army defeated the French and regained its independence.
As a people, Mexicans have a lot of pride in what they
believe in and what they
do. As in the concept of “La Raza” (literally meaning “The
Race.”). However, the two Mexican independence days truly demonstrate the
differences in the border.
Cinco de Mayo is such a big deal in the United States that there are so many
festivals/carnivals during the weekend closet to the celebration of Cinco de
Mayo. Numerous cities and towns such as Miami, Los Angeles, New York City, San
Francisco, and most predominately San Jose celebrate this “Mexican holiday” festively.
The culture shows, the parades, the booths/exhibitions, and the peeps wearing
the traditional costumes.
Check out this link for Cinco
de Mayo by a local NBC affiliate (The news affiliate is kind of making a
mockery
of
this
holiday).
Cinco de Mayo is a holiday for mainly Mexican-Americans
or Chicanos (the webmaster hates that term by the way). Anyways, this holiday
has truly became an American
holiday to the point where the “first black President” Bill Clinton
(hey…black people have dubbed him this…not me) kind of said that “Cinco
de Mayo is a celebration to show America’s diversity. This holiday is not
only celebrated by the Mexicans in this country, but also, by peoples of other
ethnic backgrounds as well. Cinco de Mayo represents the such ideals as freedom
and liberty.”
As usual, corporate America has found ways to make this holiday more profitable.
Many companies set up the booths for those suckers to get free stuff in order
to promote their product. (Like the webmaster does not know that).
As the webmaster overheard one Caucasian teenager said today, “Cinco de
Mayo is just an excuse to get drunk.” The webmaster couldn’t agree
any more. Some people and their liquor. The stories can go on and on. Many times
the rude behavior of these obnoxious drunks can ruin the fun for families especially
with children when they see some dude barely walking down a closed street while
cursing in Spanglish.
Mexico puts much more emphasis on the 1st Independence Day on September 16 than “Cinco
de Mayo.” Think about it logically…Which holiday would you rather
celebrate?
“ Celebrating the holiday that represents the freedom from an oppressive
tyrant (the Spanish empire) for about 300 years or celebrating the holiday a
rebel Mexican
army defeated some French army that took power for about 20 years?”
As the only saying goes, “Viva Mexico!” or in many cases “Viva
Corona!” (That’s the most predominate Mexican beer company. Get the
reference, now).