3 Cinco De Mayo Misconceptions Debunked | Decoded | MTV

Estimated read time: 1:20

    Summary

    Cinco de Mayo is often misunderstood in non-Mexican American communities as a day for partying and wearing Mexican-themed costumes. However, it actually commemorates Mexico's victory over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. This victory was significant for Mexican-Americans, as it also symbolized hope during the American Civil War. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo isn't widely celebrated in Mexico, except in Puebla. The holiday gained popularity during the Chicano movement as a celebration of Mexican-American pride, but it's been commercialized mainly by alcohol companies. Additionally, dressing up in stereotypical Mexican attire for the holiday is considered offensive and a misrepresentation of Mexican culture.

      Highlights

      • Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico's victory in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. ⚔️
      • It's not Mexico's Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16th. 🎆
      • The holiday isn't widely celebrated in Mexico, except in Puebla. 🏙️
      • The Chicano movement of the 1960s helped establish it as a day of Mexican-American pride. 🤝
      • Alcohol companies commercialized the holiday in the 1980s, shaping current celebrations. 🥳
      • Wearing stereotypical Mexican attire as a costume on this day is disrespectful. ❌

      Key Takeaways

      • Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican victory over France, not independence day! 🎉
      • It's not a big holiday in Mexico, mostly celebrated in Puebla. 🇲🇽
      • The Chicano movement turned it into a celebration of Mexican-American pride in the U.S. ✊
      • Alcohol companies commercialized the day, influencing the party culture around it. 🍻
      • Dressing up in faux Mexican costumes is offensive and perpetuates stereotypes. 🚫
      • Support Mexican-American businesses when celebrating! 🌮

      Overview

      Cinco de Mayo means different things to different groups, especially between Mexican and non-Mexican communities in the U.S. While many see it as a day filled with festivities and traditional Mexican attire, it's crucial to understand its true significance. Originating from the Battle of Puebla, where an outnumbered Mexican army defeated the larger French forces in 1862, Cinco de Mayo evolved into a day of cultural pride and historical remembrance.

        This day isn't as big of a deal in Mexico as it is in the United States. In Mexico, the celebrations are mostly confined to the town of Puebla. However, for Mexican-Americans, especially during the civil rights-driven Chicano movement of the 1960s, it became a symbol of ethnic pride and a day to honor their heritage and resilience. Fast forward to the 1980s, corporate influences, mainly from alcohol companies, adapted Cinco de Mayo into a commercial event geared towards partying in the U.S.

          The commercialization of Cinco de Mayo by companies has obscured its cultural significance, and unfortunately, it's often accompanied by disrespectful stereotypes. Dressing up in exaggerated Mexican costumes dilutes the cultural heritage of the day. Instead of indulging in these practices, learning about and appreciating the true history of Cinco de Mayo or supporting Mexican-owned businesses provides more meaningful ways to honor the day.

            Chapters

            • 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction The chapter "Introduction" begins with a playful mention of Cinco de Mayo, highlighting common stereotypes and misconceptions associated with the day among non-Mexican Americans. The narrator identifies a need to clarify these misconceptions and starts with the first one: the idea that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day, explicitly stating this is incorrect.
            • 00:30 - 01:30: Misconception #1: Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day The chapter clarifies a common misconception that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day. In reality, Mexico's actual Independence Day is September 16th. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, a significant win against a formidable French army.
            • 01:30 - 02:30: The Historical Significance of Cinco de Mayo This chapter discusses the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo, particularly among Mexican-Americans. During the American Civil War, Mexicans in the US largely supported the Union, and the Battle of Puebla symbolized to them a hope for Union victory. After the battle on May 5th, 1862, Mexican laborers in the western United States began celebrating the day as a symbol of pride and resistance against oppression, rather than merely an occasion for casual festivities.
            • 02:30 - 03:30: Misconception #2: Cinco de Mayo is a Huge Holiday in Mexico Misconception number two addresses the belief that Cinco de Mayo is a major holiday in Mexico. Contrary to this belief, it is a normal day throughout the country except in Puebla, where the historic battle victory commemorated by the day took place. The widespread celebration of Cinco de Mayo is largely an American construct, similar to other adaptations like neon nacho cheese. It gained popularity in the United States during the Chicano movement of the 1960s, which emphasized empowerment and pride among Mexican-Americans.
            • 03:30 - 04:30: Misconception #3: It's Okay to Wear a Sombrero This chapter addresses the misconception that it is acceptable for non-Mexicans to wear sombreros, particularly in the context of Cinco de Mayo celebrations. The commercialization of the holiday by alcohol companies in the 1980s popularized the wearing of stereotypical Mexican attire among non-Mexicans, which is discouraged by the narrator and their friend Kat. The advice is to avoid wearing culturally stereotypical items like sombreros, fake mustaches, and ponchos, especially those purchased from party supply stores, as they contribute to cultural appropriation.
            • 04:30 - 05:30: Cultural Sensitivity and Support The chapter discusses the cultural insensitivity often displayed during celebrations like Cinco de Mayo, where people dress up in costumes that perpetuate stereotypes of Mexican culture. It highlights that Latino individuals, regardless of their nationality, should not assume they have the right to participate in this cultural exploitation. Francesca previously mentioned the inappropriate nature of wearing Native American headdresses or Geisha makeup as costumes, underscoring the broader issue of using marginalized cultures as a source of entertainment.
            • 05:30 - 06:00: Conclusion The conclusion chapter emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity, using Cinco de Mayo as an example. It advises against celebrating the holiday without understanding its significance, suggesting that doing so can be offensive, especially at a time when Mexicans and Mexican-Americans face discrimination. The author encourages supporting Mexican-American owned businesses when enjoying Mexican food and culture. The chapter also includes a reminder about avoiding stereotypes, such as ordering 'hard shell tacos,' which aren't authentically Mexican. Lastly, it promotes watching Kat Lazo's show on Mitu.

            3 Cinco De Mayo Misconceptions Debunked | Decoded | MTV Transcription

            • 00:00 - 00:30 - Whoo, it's Cinco de Mayo. Wait, what exactly am I whooing? It's almost May 5th, aka Cinco de Mayo. While lots of non-Mexican Americans think Cinco de Mayo is just a day to drink margaritas, post weird Instagram photos, or eat taco bowls, it's actually a bit more than that. So, let's debunk three common misconceptions about Cinco de Mayo. Misconception number one: Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day. Nope, Cinco de Mayo is the not the Mexican equivalent
            • 00:30 - 01:00 of the fourth of July. Mexico's actual independence day is celebrated every year on September 16th, not May 5th. So, what are we celebrating? Well, it actually celebrates a smaller incident that occurred decades later. The Mexican Army's unlikely victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. At the time, this win was a huge deal because the outnumbered Mexicans defeated the French who at time had one of the largest, most powerful armies in the world. It was kind of like the Mexican 300.
            • 01:00 - 01:30 Meanwhile, America was in the middle of the Civil War and Mexicans living in the US generally sided with the Union, so the Battle of Puebla took on new meaning for Mexican-Americans because they saw it as an encouragement that the Union could actually win the Civil War. So, in the years following May 5th, 1862, the day was remembered and celebrated by Mexican laborers in the western US as a symbol of pride and heroic resistance against oppression, not a symbol of bottomless margaritas.
            • 01:30 - 02:00 Misconception number two: Cinco de Mayo is a huge holiday in Mexico. In Mexico it's just a regular day. Festivities for the day only occur in Puebla, the town where the day's historic victory occurred. But that's about it. Just like neon nacho cheese from a machine, it's an American invention. Oh, cheese. It wasn't until the 1960s Chicano movement which prioritized Mexican-American empowerment that Cinco de Mayo gained momentum as a holiday of ethnic pride.
            • 02:00 - 02:30 But by the 1980s, alcohol companies started to catch onto Cinco de Mayo as an opportunity to market Mexican beer and alcohol brands, which is pretty much how non-Mexican Americans got the beautiful tradition of wearing stereotypical sombreros and drinking far too much tequila. Which brings us to, well, I'll let my friend Kat tell you. - Misconception number three: it's okay to wear a sombrero. If you're not Mexican, I'd steer clear of wearing a sombrero, or a fake mustache, or a poncho for that matter. Basically, if you can buy it at a party supply story,
            • 02:30 - 03:00 forget about it. And yes, non-Mexican latinos like myself can be guilty of this too. I bet you thought I was Mexican, didn't you? We're not a monolithic group. Just because you're latino doesn't mean you get a pass to join in on the exploitation. The problem is, most Cinco de Mayo costumes depict cartoonish stereotypes of Mexican culture. Also, it's not a dress up holiday. As Francesca's talked about before, whether it's wearing a Native American headdress to Coachella, or putting on Geisha makeup for Halloween, it's pretty crappy to turn a marginalized culture
            • 03:00 - 03:30 into a costume. So many fashion choices, just don't pick the (bleep) one. By celebrating Cinco de Mayo without any context to its significance, we're making a mockery out of it, which is especially offensive these days when Mexicans and Mexican-Americans are criminalized more than ever. But if you are gonna eat a taco or drink a margarita, why not actually enjoy it while supporting a Mexican-American owned business? But don't ask for any hard shell tacos, it's not really a thing. - That's great advice. Thanks for helping out this week, and make sure to watch Kat Lazo's show on Mitu,
            • 03:30 - 04:00 The Kat Call. We'll see you next time right here on Decoded.