By Josefina Loza

Josefina Loza. Photo provided by Josefina Loza.

Josefina Loza is an Omaha-based community leader, artist and entrepreneur.

Many don’t know why Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the United States more so than in Mexico. No, it is not intended to be a get-drunk-and-party-holiday as it has now become. Let me drop some knowledge on you.

Although the Civil Rights Movement tends to be synonymous with the journey of our African American brothers and sisters. We, too, as Mexican Americans living in the United States fought for equal rights since we largely lacked influence in national politics prior to 1960. Thus, the emergence of the Chicano Movement and “Brown Pride” which began largely focused on three goals: restoration of land, rights for farmworkers, and education reforms.

Chicano(a) refers to a person of Mexican descent that lives in the United States. In the 1960s, at the height of the Chicano Movement, Mexican Americans embraced Cinco de Mayo as a symbolic holiday of their cultural heritage. This is how the holiday was introduced in the United States, and with time, it became a celebration of Mexican culture embraced by the Latino community.

So, what happened on May 5th?

In 1861, Mexico defaulted on its treaty debt payments, provoking Spain, Britain, and France to send military to retrieve payment. Mexico came to an agreement with Britain and Spain, who withdrew their armies. However, France decided to invade with the goal of establishing a monarchy in Mexico, to curb United States power in the Americas.

On May 5th, 1862, in the small town of Puebla, a city located just outside of Mexico City, both armies met. What happened that day on the battle is a source of pride for Mexicans, as a group of farmers and their families’ gathered guns, pitchforks and whatever they could use to defend themselves against the French. Through their courageous act of heart, they defeated what was perceived as the best army in the world at the time. To this day, Poblanos (Puebla inhabitants) still celebrate the victory.

Cinco de Mayo became significant for Chicano activists because they viewed their struggle in the same light as that of the poor and ill-equipped makeshift Mexican army of farmers that defeated what was then a global superpower. The idea of triumph in the face of overwhelming odds and adversity resonated with Chicanos who fought for equal rights. In short, Cinco de Mayo is the ultimate fight against The Man whomever he might be. 

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