Cinco de Mayo, a yearly celebration, is often celebrated by going out with friends and family to eat and enjoy Mexican food, drink alcoholic beverages and enjoy some live entertainment. However, many people tend to commemorate this day by partying and drinking and are unaware of the actual event behind this holiday. It is an historical event that took place in the Mexican city of Puebla.
HISTORY
Napoleon III of France sent French troops under the command of General Charles Latrille de Lorencez to invade Puebla after it was revealed that the former President of Mexico, Benito Juárez, would not be able to pay back money to European countries due to the financial problems Mexico was having at that time, according to History.com. On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army won the battle against France in Puebla, historically called the Battle of Puebla.
Since then, Cinco de Mayo has become a popular celebration among people of all cultures, including Americans and Latinos. However, there are many who do not celebrate due to personal preferences. Whether or not people decide to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, many events are held yearly across Southern California that people can attend.
This year, a retail center called 2nd & PCH in Long Beach, California, organized a Cinco de Mayo celebration for the community. At the event, there were a variety of performances, including ballet folklorico and mariachi by Bell Garden’s Thee Academy.
Along with live entertainment, there were free activities for children such as balloon twisting, crafts, and face painting. Also, there were character meet and greets for people of all ages to enjoy.
To satisfy those who wanted dessert while watching the performances, Happy Ice, a Black-owned dessert shop, was on hand.
CALÓ NEWS checked out the event and talked to those who attended about what Cinco de Mayo means to them, their opinion on those who do not celebrate it, and more.
Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
PAOLA MEDRANO, 25, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, BARISTA, SHE/HER, HISPANIC/LATINX
WHY ARE YOU HERE TODAY AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO YOU?
I like seeing my culture in locations where you wouldn’t normally see it. I like seeing my culture represented and shown. I think it is really important for lots of people living in this area to also see other cultures. I love dance and art. I love music, so seeing performances like this I really enjoy it. I also enjoy sharing it with other people. I invited my friends to come and watch it with me.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO AMERICANS WHO DON’T CONSIDER CINCO DE MAYO TO BE AN IMPORTANT HOLIDAY?
It is dumb. America is one big melting pot. There are so many cultures and heritages that you cannot just stick to one. You have to respect and see all of them. I think it is sad that people do not want to celebrate it or do not think it should be celebrated. It should be celebrated. I think it is very important not only to U.S. culture but also to U.S. history in a way because, as I said, it is a big melting pot here. You have to respect all cultures.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST WAY YOU HAVE CELEBRATED?
A few years ago, I went down to Olvera Street with my mom. They were doing performances there. On the stage that looks like a gazebo, they were doing the performances there. There were so many people there, and it was nice. I just enjoyed being around other Latinos and just hearing music and celebrating. It was a nice time. It was probably one of the best ones.
ALICIA MONZO, 48, SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA, MEXICAN
WHY ARE YOU HERE TODAY AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO YOU?
Cinco de Mayo, right, the Battle of Puebla, so just to give homage to our ancestors. Also, to teach my niece our heritage and to have fun with her.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO AMERICANS WHO DON’T CONSIDER CINCO DE MAYO TO BE AN IMPORTANT HOLIDAY?
Well, I understand it is getting less and less [popular]. I really had to search for events in the Harbor Area, in the Long Beach area to see who was having an event. It was sad to me that there was not something in my town, San Pedro. I know a lot of people do not celebrate it, but I think it is important. I mean, we celebrate other cultures. I think it is important that our kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews, who are of Mexican heritage, know our history. Even though we are Mexican Americans if we are in America, it is still important for us to continue to teach our children about our heritage and the culture.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST WAY YOU HAVE CELEBRATED?
I always look for a Cinco de Mayo event. Every year, I look for one. I have traveled all the way to Santa Ana to go to one because there is not one here locally. I always look for an event for Cinco de Mayo that has culture, dancing, and that they have a little bit of history. Things from our culture to celebrate and to teach the little ones to continue for them to have the knowledge of what Cinco de Mayo represents and how strong Mexico was during that time.
ZENA ZENG, 35, CYPRESS, CALIFORNIA, SHE/HER, CHINESE
WHY ARE YOU HERE TODAY AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO YOU?
I have a four-year-old daughter, and my family came here together. It is important because I am first-generation and first to immigrate, so I do not have much background or knowledge about this festival. I know my girl is going to be an American girl. She was born here, and this is her country. I want her to know all cultures, every festival and get to know all backgrounds so that is why I came here. Hopefully, she can learn from here and get some sense of what kind of festival it is and how the people celebrate it.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO AMERICANS WHO DON’T CONSIDER CINCO DE MAYO TO BE AN IMPORTANT HOLIDAY?
To be honest, I do not know why. America is actually an immigrant country. Why America is great is because every culture from different countries mixes together and becomes the new American culture, that is very important. Respecting and trying to understand other people’s cultures and bring them into America, I think, is very important for the modern city. Everybody’s culture should be respected and celebrated. Everybody should understand each other.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST WAY YOU HAVE CELEBRATED?
Last year we had a few people from Mexico and they taught us how to celebrate it. Kids made crafts. They wore dresses and we took photos. This year, because I am pregnant, I do not have the energy to have a big party. So my friend sent me this news so I can come by and take a look. There might be something I am looking for. That is why, after work, I brought my kid here so she could enjoy the festival. She joined a kindergarten, and 90% of people celebrate this festival, so she learned from school too. She is very excited to be here and enjoy the festival.
RAMON ALVARADO, 43, SYLMAR, CALIFORNIA, MEXICAN/AMERICAN
WHY ARE YOU HERE TODAY AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO YOU?
Well, my daughters are actually performing. My youngest just performed and my oldest is going to perform right now. It has always been important for me and my ex-wife to have the girls in the culture and know their culture.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO AMERICANS WHO DON’T CONSIDER CINCO DE MAYO TO BE AN IMPORTANT HOLIDAY?
Most of them do not know. Most of them just think it is a drinking holiday like Saint Patrick’s Day, but for the people that care enough to ask, I let them know what it is and why it is important. It is not our independence day, but I think it really touches on our people and who we are as people, and how strong we can be if we put our efforts together.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST WAY YOU HAVE CELEBRATED?
Honestly, since I have had kids, just stuff like this. It is nice to see people of different cultures, of different ethnicities enjoying the shows and stuff like that.
RAY PLACENCIA, 43, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, MUSICIAN, HE/HIM, MEXICAN/AMERICAN
WHY ARE YOU HERE TODAY AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO YOU?
September 16 matters a lot more than Cinco de Mayo but it is still nice that it is recognized by other backgrounds and ethnicities. I am here because I am in a mariachi class at Thee Academy here in Bell Gardens. I play the trumpet, so we were asked to come here and perform, and it is nice to embrace Mexican culture.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO AMERICANS WHO DON’T CONSIDER CINCO DE MAYO TO BE AN IMPORTANT HOLIDAY?
It is still just as important. If you know the history of the Battle of Puebla and winning that and defeating the French. That is still a great accomplishment, so it is a big one in itself. But again, September 16, Independence Day celebrated in Mexico, should also be recognized by Americans too, in my opinion.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST WAY YOU HAVE CELEBRATED?
I would say here, playing the trumpet, playing some mariachi. Again, embracing Mexican culture, giving back to the community, and what we are about. It is a pleasure to see people of other backgrounds and ethnicities really enjoying the mariachi.
LIZETTE CARDONA, 42, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, MUSICIAN, SHE/HER, MEXICAN
WHY ARE YOU HERE TODAY AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO YOU?
I am here to celebrate the Mexican culture.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO AMERICANS WHO DON’T CONSIDER CINCO DE MAYO TO BE AN IMPORTANT HOLIDAY?
I think just any excuse to celebrate our culture is awesome so I will embrace it.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST WAY YOU HAVE CELEBRATED?
I think by performing today, we are part of Thee Academy but we do have a name as part of our separate thing that we do. It is called Mariachi Luna Trobadora.
ELIZABETH GUTIERREZ, 37, LA PUENTE, CALIFORNIA, ELLA/SHE/HER/HERS, CHICANA/LATINA
WHY ARE YOU HERE TODAY AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO YOU?
We were here today putting on a presentation with Thee Academy for Cinco de Mayo. I am here today because I am a musician by trade but I am a classical musician so I have studied a lot of white European music and picking up mariachi for me was reconnecting with my roots. I think it is really important for people to learn about their own cultures and especially do arts through the lens of their own culture so this is my way of doing that.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO AMERICANS WHO DON’T CONSIDER CINCO DE MAYO TO BE AN IMPORTANT HOLIDAY?
I think there is a misconception because there are a lot of Americans who kind of just see Cinco de Mayo as another holiday to party. It is an interesting dichotomy because in Mexico they do not celebrate Cinco de Mayo and I myself do not really celebrate Cinco de Mayo. I think the important part to remember about Cinco de Mayo is the fact that the Indigenous community in Puebla really defeated the French army. I think it is important to recognize that especially with the erasure of Indigenous culture in Mexico that has constantly happened and still continues to this day. It is important to recognize that aspect of it and it is a big part of our culture. It is important to give reparations to them [Indigenous culture].
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST WAY YOU HAVE CELEBRATED?
For me, this performance is about representation and representation in a way that shows Mexican culture in a more positive light. To show that we are creative, to show the beauty of our culture, of our art, of our traditions. That is really why I am here. My daughter performed. My mom performed and I got to sing with my mom. My dad did not get to sing this time but he is also in Thee Academy so we have three generations of family inside Thee Academy because the arts and culture are really important to us. So that is why we are here today, that is why we come to celebrate.