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Cinco de Mayo Marginalizes Non-Mexican Latinos

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted May 5, 2009 3:35 PM CDT

(Newser) – Cinco de Mayo has become a very visible celebration in the US, but the Mexican holiday’s prevalence is just one indicator of the marginalization of other Latino immigrants, the AP reports. The Mexican-American population is almost equal to that of all other Latin American immigrants combined, resulting in a focus on that country’s culture. But Cinco de Mayo “means nothing to us,” one Salvadorian said.

“The school system is more preoccupied with Mexico's history, and not the rest of Latin America’s,” he continued. While some are incensed at the perceived interchangeability of Latino cultures, others think a sense of unity is not unwelcome given the ongoing immigration debate. “Latino America in general has to change its mentality of competitiveness and we have to work toward of the well-being of all of us,” one Mexican immigrant said.

Cinco de Mayo celebrants.
Cinco de Mayo celebrants.   (AP Photo)
Mexico's President Felipe Calderon, right, reviews the honor guard during a ceremony to commemorate the Battle of Cinco de Mayo.
Mexico's President Felipe Calderon, right, reviews the honor guard during a ceremony to commemorate the Battle of Cinco de Mayo.   (AP Photo)
A Cinco de Mayo celebration in Denver in 2007.
A Cinco de Mayo celebration in Denver in 2007.   (AP Photo)
People dressed as a revolutionary Zacapoaztla Indian soldiers take part in a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Mexico City.
People dressed as a revolutionary Zacapoaztla Indian soldiers take part in a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Mexico City.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
bacimom
May 7, 2009 3:41 AM CDT
I think the point is not the fiesta effect, but the fact that the USA is celebrating enmasse the Independence Day of another country. If they are so happy and proud to be Mexican and free of the Napoleonic soldiers then why are they here celebrating instead at home celebrating. Does Mexico celebrate our Independence Day? The reason the non-Mexican latinos are pissy about this is that no one here is celebrating, or even noticing their national holidays. St Patrick's Day has become cultural, previously religious (like many of our holidays). Mother's Day etc are Hallmark Holidays. Cinco de Mayo is a political holiday having zip to do with the USA. If we want to have a general National Fiesta Day then let's do it but let's call it that as well.
riffran
May 6, 2009 12:42 PM CDT
awsome response Lapsed....make very good sense...and the spirit of political correctness merryhappychristmahannaukakwansicafestivus everybody..rofl...
serfinWI
May 6, 2009 5:52 AM CDT
What happened to May Day?? We used to do that one. Can't tell you what it really meant except dancing around a May Pole and something to do with labor. Probably not PC anymore. Never heard of Cinco de Mayo until a few years ago. Too bad the schools don't actually teach some history about the day rather than just dress up and hit a pinata.

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