Cinco de Mayo
I remember I was in 5th grade for morning assembly on Cinco de Mayo one year. One of the administrators asked “does anyone know what today is?” I raised my hand feverishly and hoped to be called. Before I could answer, the administrator said “it’s Mexican Independence Day”. Now, I knew the was blatantly wrong. But what irked me was how many of my classmates accepted this as fact. Nobody questioned it and everyone went about their day.
I’m not going to write a long post that doubles as a history lesson. I’m not going to talk about how an underdog guerrila force fought off a French professional army at the battle of Puebla and the symbolism behind that victory. Especially because it still led to several years under European control. But what I am going to write about is how so many went about their day not understanding history that is significant to their culture.
Before Cinco de Mayo became an excuse to drink tequila or margaritas (which are delicious and I am in no way judging anyone who partakes), it was a day of patriotism for Mexicans just not in Mexico. It’s not even a federal holiday there. It’s kind of like the battle of New Orleans (but I won’t get into that haha). In fact, it really only started to take off with Mexican activism in the 60s in the United States. It became a rally cry for people of Mexican heritage to show their pride. Maybe it’s because of what the battle symbolized to those activists? That a people who wanting to break free from their own shackles can in fact rise up to the occasion. That they can be the owners of their fate. Or maybe it’s because they yearned to be closer to their roots. To connect with a culture that resembles them or that embodies them.
I think something that is so profound is the need to connect to your origins. La sangre llama is Spanish for “your blood is calling” and it’s something my parents would tell me when I would go back to Mexico. There’s something so strange about being foreign somewhere yet being so at peace in the discomfort. Whenever someone tries a glass of Puro Tepache, I notice that there’s a spark. For those who have had Tepache, they smile and enjoy remembering a time they had it. Sometimes I hear a story about their Tia or abuela who made Tepache. For those who are trying Tepache for the first time, they have a similar, yet unique look. Like they are trying something that is both unfamiliar yet comforting. Like their blood is calling. And for people who aren’t Mexican - they just enjoy how refreshing the drink in their hand tastes.
I want to wish everyone a happy Cinco de Mayo and remember to celebrate responsibly. Just like St Patrick’s day, on Cinco de Mayo - everyone is a little bit Mexican! Salud!!!
Emmanuel Casasola
Co-Founder, CCO