An example of cultural
appropriation

For many Americans, Cinco de Mayo is just an excuse to
drink tequila and act a fool.
!
This is a quick overview of the American connection to
Cinco de Mayo, and how the holiday is just one example
of Mexican stereotypes perpetuated in the US.

Source: Congressional Record
Mexicans account for nearly 65% of
the US Hispanic population (52M), and
10% of the total US population (314M).
Source: Pew!
Source: World Bank

According to the US Congress “Cinco
de Mayo serves as a reminder of the
close spiritual and economic ties
between the people of Mexico and the
people of the United States”
Source: Congressional Record

However, “every year thousands of
Americans mistakenly refer to Cinco
de Mayo as Mexico’s Independence
Day.”
-US Congress
Source: Congressional Record

Mexico celebrates its independence on
September 15 & 16th. It is a celebration
of the moment when Mexicans rallied
against Spanish rule in 1810. And is by
far Mexico’s most celebrated holiday.
Source: Wikipedia

But, the “nation of Mexico” wasn’t
formed until September 27, 1821.
Source: NPR

Shortly after the country formed,
residents of the Mexican state
Coahuila y Tejas declared their
independence. Which lead to the
Mexican-American war in 1846.
Source: NPR

And ultimately the expansion of the
United States, in 1848...
Source: NPR

...a Mexican civil war, in 1858...
Source: Encyclopedia

...a French incursion in late 1861...
Source: History Channel

And an unlikely victory, against the
otherwise undefeated French army, on
May 5th, 1862, at the Battle of Puebla.
Source: History Channel

The victory at Puebla was so profound
that during the American Civil War,
the US military commemorated the
victory with cultural events, such as
bullfights, to rally nationalistic
passion among Mexican-Americans
fighting in the war.
Source: History Channel

After the war, May 5th celebrations
continued in the US; but it was half-
hearted until the 1960s, when the
Chicano Movement used the holiday to
rally Mexican-Americans once again.
Source: Time Magazine

In the 1980s, US alcohol companies
realized they could use the holiday for
their own purposes...
Source: Alcohol Professor

“Thus was born a day of drinking
tequila while wearing a stereotypical
sombrero.”
-Time Magazine
Source: Time Magazine

Today, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated
more in the US than in Mexico; and
many Mexicans have come to resent
the holiday as a result of its warped
appropriation of Mexican culture.
Source: History Channel

But, Cinco de Mayo is only one
example of how stereotypes are
appropriating our understanding of
Mexican people.

In 2007, 60% of all major news
covering Mexico was negative; rising
to 80% by 2010.
Source: Bloomberg

As a result, only 17% of Americans see
Mexico as a modern country.
Source: National Journal

And most Americans feel that Mexico
is not a good neighbor (86%), unsafe
for travel (72%), a problem for the US
(59%).
Source: National Journal

However, 50% of the country is under
29 years old, 78% live in urban areas,
and Mexico City (22M) is one of the
largest cities in the world.
Source: New York Times!
Source: World Population Review

And while the drug war isn’t over by
any means, Mexico is working to
decrease the crime rate, and to make
significant economic improvements.

In the past several years immigration to
the US has decreased significantly, and
in 2012 Mexico’s GDP growth (3.8%)
was stronger than the US’s (2.2%).
Source: Bloomberg

Despite the drug war, the country is
thriving economically. It is classified
as a majority middle class society, and
the world’s 14th largest economy.
Source: National Journal!
Source: Bloomberg

Average income has doubled in the
past 15 years; 1/4 of the country’s
homes were built within the past 20
years; and the average number of
school years Mexicans attend has
doubled in the past four decades.
Source: Bloomberg

And with more international trade
agreements than any other country in
the world (44), Mexico is poised to
continue strengthening their economy.
Source: New York Times

So as Mexico continues to shift
towards a more vibrant future, lets
shift our sentiment towards positively
supporting their effort.

Starting with Cinco de Mayo, lets
confront outdated / misrepresentative
stereotypes, by celebrating with an
accurate understanding of the
country’s history, and respect for the
improvements being made.

I’ll leave you with these final
thoughts from our Congress:
!
The battle of Puebla was but one of the many battles that the
courageous Mexican people won in their long and brave struggle for
independence and freedom.
!
... [we call] upon the people of the United States to observe Cinco de
Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
!
Cinco de Mayo serves as a reminder that the foundation of the
United States is built by people from many nations and diverse
cultures who are willing to fight and die for freedom.
”
“
Source: Congressional Record

Thank you.
!
@dktgrn