Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo isn’t a major holiday celebrated by most Mexicans, or even most Mexican-Americans. Marking the day that the vastly outnumbered Mexican army defeated the better equipped French army in the 1862 battle of Puebla, the day here in the U.S. has mostly become a branding opportunity to sell tequila and an excuse for white people to get drunk. Still, putting aside those really bad moments when folks decide to wear sombreros while barhopping—because that’s what Mexicans do, I guess—some actually do use the day to remember their heritage. Except now, many Mexicans and Mexican-Americans are “left torn” about Cinco de Mayo, now that a blatantly anti-Mexican president occupies the White House:
For years, Yazmin Irazoqui Ruiz saw Cinco de Mayo as a reason to eat tacos and listen to Mexican music.
The 25-year-old Mexican-born medical student left Mexico for the U.S. as a child and celebrates the day to honor a homeland she hardly remembers.
But the Albuquerque, New Mexico, resident said she’s reluctant to take part in Cinco de Mayo festivities this year as President Donald Trump steps up federal immigration enforcement and supporters back his call for the building of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
“I mean, what is it about? You want to eat our food and listen to our music, but when we need you to defend us, where are you?” Irazoqui Ruiz asked about the wave of anti-immigrant sentiment in the country.
She’s right. You gotta wonder how many folks who chanted “BUILD THE WALL” over the past presidential campaign season and then voted Trump are planning on having tacos and margaritas later today.
from Daily Kos http://ift.tt/2p4QvVv
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