I suspect some white Americans might think they’re honoring Mexican culture by having cinco de mayo parties, but they’re not. Cinco de mayo has become another American-appropriated holiday that isn’t really celebrated in its country of origin. If you want to celebrate a real Mexican holiday, celebrate Mexican Independence Day in September.
I lay out the details here, but basically I’m sick of white people putting on sombreros and sarapes and big moustaches and thinking they’re having harmless fun. It’s not harmless fun.
1. They’re promoting racist Mexican stereotypes.
2. They’re adding to the already deadly American alcohol culture.
3. St. Patrick’s Day uses stereotypes of a group that’s no longer targeted by American bigotry, but cinco de mayo plays on American prejudices against Mexicans and Mexican Americans which are still very vulnerable populations.
4. It reduces Mexican and Mexican American cultures to a mixed drink, a beer and a few paper decorations. It’s offensive.
I wish all white American cinco de mayo “festivities” would stop forever, and actually right now would be an excellent time.