Churches & Cinco de Mayo

The congregation I serve is having a celebration on May 5 — which quickly became Cinco de Mayo themed.

Living and ministering here in Texas, the influence of Hispanic and Latin American culture is hard to miss. And at the same time, it has been far too common for us with European roots to demean and belittle those neighboring cultures (whether intentionally or accidentally).

So as we turn the corner toward May, some thoughts about respectfully appreciating our neighbors’ cultural traditions.

What is Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the defeat of French Colonial troops by the Mexican Independence fighters at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

The Battle of Puebla was part of the Second French Intervention of Mexico – an attempt by Napoleon III to install a Hapsburg Monarchy in Mexico from 1861-1867. This attempt ultimately failed, and is often unknown by US Americans because it overshadowed in our history books by the Civil War and its aftermath.

Cinco de Mayo is NOT Mexican Independence Day – as is sometimes erroneously assumed. Mexican Independence Day – the most important Mexican National holiday – is celebrated on September 16.

In fact Cinco de Mayo is not a national holiday on the Mexican Federal Calendar and is much more significant in the United States than in Mexico itself.

The celebration of Cinco de Mayo began among the Mexican expatriate and Mexican-American communities in California in the 1860s, and spread from there. It has recently been described as “an American holiday with Mexican roots and not necessarily a Mexican Holiday.”

Things to Avoid

There are Lutherans of every sort of background. And also, the Lutheran church is overwhelmingly of European descent.

Here are a few things that we who are NOT of Mexican descent should avoid in our Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

1. Stereotypes. There is no reason for the sombrero, the mustache, or other Mexican and Mexican-American stereotypes. At any time, but especially on Cinco de Mayo. Employing stereotypes in our dress and decorations demeans the image of God in our neighbors.
2. Getting drunk. Yes, margaritas are Mexican in origin. Go ahead. Enjoy one. But don’t use the commemoration of a battle as an excuse to over-indulge.
3. Bad Spanish. We get it, you studied Spanish in high school. But unless you are legitimately attempting to become fluent in Spanish, don’t use this one day a year to inflict your mangled Spanish on everyone (especially not on native speakers). And – along with #1 above – don’t go around shouting “Arriba!” or “Ole!”

Ways to Celebrate

None of the above means that we can’t – or we shouldn’t – celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The day is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate and celebrate Mexican and Mexican-American culture.

1. Enjoy the food! Mexican and Mexican-American food is much more common in the US than it was a generation ago. Take the opportunity to try something new and appreciate the flavors of Mexico.
2. Listen to the music. Put on the Mariachi, or hire a local Mariachi group to liven things up. Or, check out some more contemporary music like Christian Nodel (of course, you can never go wrong with Selena).
3. Support Immigrants. In many ways, Cinco de Mayo is an immigrant holiday. As a church with deep immigrant roots ourselves, supporting today’s immigrants is a great way to celebrate. Check out the work of the ELCA’s AMMPARO Ministry.

Celebrate by Learning

Learning more about Mexican history, culture, and religion is a fantastic first step toward appreciating without appropriating.

Those of us educated in the US, our study of history usually jumped straight from European History to Anglo-US History. The gaps produced by this leave much of Mexican history as a blank spot in our knowledge – along with Caribbean, Central, and South American history.

• Check out The Fifth Sun by Camilla Townsend, which tells the story of the Aztecs from their perspective, instead of through the eyes of the Spaniards.
• Learn about the Mexican Revolution in the early 20th century, which shaped modern Mexico, in Kelly Lytle Hernández’s Bad Mexicans.
• Begin to explore the history of Our Lady of Guadelupe – a vision of the Mother of our Lord that is of deep religious and cultural significance to Mexicans and Mexican-Americans (and throughout Latin America).
• Read the poetry of Juana Inés de la Cruz, known as Sor Juana – who contributed to the Spanish Golden age from colonial New Spain.
• Explore the artwork of Frida Kahlo or the sculptures of Octavio Medellin.
• Read some theology from a Latinx perspective, like Galilean Journey by Father Virgil Elizondo

 

As people of faith, we believe that all people are made in the image of God. Therefore, we are called to learn from and learn about our neighbors and all the beautiful diversity in which God created humankind.

If people of European descent chose to celebrate Cinco de Mayo – whether in church or in our personal lives –  we do so with the same attitude that our faith calls us to in all things: with love, humility, and curiosity.