I wish people would calm down about Cinco de Mayo.
So many of my friends are up in arms over the gringo celebrations. They can’t wait to correct those that are celebrating. Some are well-intentioned and but some seem determined to rain on the parade at any cost.
No, it’s not Mexican independence day. No, it’s not a national holiday in Mexico. Or France. But I have been in celebrations outside of Puebla for it. In fact, the neighborhood right outside of the airport in DF celebrates and holds up traffic on the 5th. I know this to be true as I almost missed a flight because of it.
The funny thing is less than a year after the famous battle, France came back with a vengeance and gave Mexico Maximilian and Charlotte, which in turn turned Juarez into a hero. It’s a fascinating era worth exploring and maybe even celebrating. (If you are interested, check out News From the Empire. It’s a terrific book.)
Rather than being shrill and pedantic about how we’re doing it all wrong, how about we make better food and let people come to no other conclusion than the fact that Mexico is incredible? Why not use it as an opportunity to talk about Mexico’s incredible history and how it ties in with ours? It’s not enough, but it’s a day dedicated to Mexico and Mexican food. That’s a great opening. Rush in and take over instead of complaining.
End of rant. Thank you for your very kind attention. You are free to disagree with me and we can still be friends.
Bravo, I welcome the opportunity to celebrate the delicious culinary traditions of Mexico, especially as a positive counter to recent political vitriol ….
I have nothing against Cinco de Mayo being a holiday in the USA. In fact, I think it’s great to have a day dedicated to celebrating Mexican heritage, and it’s also wonderful to know that Mexico and the USA share a holiday together. However, I do think it’s a little obnoxious how some people have come to know this holiday as “Cinco de Drinko”. That’s really not what it’s all about, no matter how you look at it. Thanks a lot for getting involved, beer companies!
-Fabiola at myheartofmexico.wordpress.com
I, along with the Mexicans in the kitchen, would celebrate by teasing Didier all day long about the French getting whooped. He was a good sport but inevitably would bring up France’s soccer World Cup win. Then we opened our little resto in Paris and found Mexican and French technique getting along splendidly in my kitchen. Duck confit with Mole Verde, anyone? Hey Steve, I leave for Mexico next week. I’m borrowing my brother’s fancy camera and will send you pics.
We need a book from you!
Many Americans don’t know, but the Confederacy was trying to get France to enter the Civil War on its side. Losing at the Battle of Puebla forced the French to keep their focus on conquering Mexico rather than intervening on behalf of the Confederacy. So, had the French won at Puebla then there might have been a very different outcome for the US Civil War.