Another common misconception: Cinco de MAyo is NOT the Mexican Independence. Rather, it commemorated the Battle of Puebla where Mexico won against French forces attempting to take over. Mexican Independence Day is September 16, by the way.

Explain to me how the Swappo de Mayo thing is Bad, exactly? Is it because of the really atrocious clip art? Is there a line between bad aesthetic taste and whatever this thing did wrong?

Just adding to Jess' point: Cinco de Mayo is not really celebrated in Mexico outside of the city of Puebla (by the way, Mexico won the battle against the French, but lost the war). I don't really know why it's so popular in the U.S., but my guess it's that it's more convenient to have Mexican-Americans and immigrants in the U.S. celebrating a victory over the French rather than Independence from their oppressors.

Yes! Could the post please be revised? It's a little offensive that it's incorrect.

The only reason why Cinco de Mayo, a very minor holiday in Mexico, is celebrated in such ferver here is that many many years ago large gatherings of people in the US were forbidden on Sept. 16th by law. The Latin@ community had to switch the holiday that they celebrated because of discrimination.

More about the cultural history of US celebrations of Cinco de Mayo:
http://www.hnn.us/articles/126189.html

You should just take this post down and pretend it never happened. Writing that cinco de mayo is the mexican independence day is VASTLY MORE OFFENSIVE than these images could ever dream of being. REALLY>

I guess since I'm Cuban and decided to have Coronas and cook Mexican tonight, I'm technically also guilty of using Cinco de Mayo as a vehicle to eat tacos and get drunk. But I'm not white so I don't feel guilty. Sorry, suckers.

Adrian:
People make mistakes about my culture all the time. It does get annoying, but you have to correct and move on. Ignoring an opportunity to educate people is never good advice.. and though I'm loathe to ever imply that someone who is offended shouldn't be, I really don't see how saying "You stated a common misconception and it offended me, therefore you should shut up and slink off with your tail between your legs" is remotely productive. You've shut down an opportunity for a discussion about ignorance of Mexican-American culture and how frustrating it can be, which is sad because this type of setting is probably where you are most likely to find people receptive to learning and examining their own ignorance/prejudices/privilege.

Fair enough. I apologize for my earlier outburst. Interesting that the authors often learn more than the readers. Props to Lisa for humility and being on top of it to correct the article. I think the discussion resulting from the mistake has been more eye opening than the actual images posted.

I totally understand this and I looked at the pictures of the MLK celebrations and they were terrible. I wanted to hear people's insight on whether portraying minorities as drunks is much more offensive than portraying whites. It seems that in our culture we celebrate German's drinking, Irish drinking, and Brits drinking....... Our some of the photos that we see on St.Patricks day is that also demeaning to Irish people as it is to Mexicans on Cinco de Mayo?

As someone who grew up in Mexico, and identifies as a Mexican (as well as American), I hate this holiday. I have issues with turning Mexican culture into a cartoon so that Americans (regardless of race) have the excuse to drink shitty Mexican beer and eat Tex-Mex food. Now, I might be wrong in assuming that this holiday is an attempt to celebrate Mexican culture, but rather, a day to celebrate Mexican-American culture. I dont know much about Chicano culture, so I don't know what Chicano people think of this holiday.

also:
http://www.timbuk2.com/static/images/email/2010-05-05/2010-05-05.html?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Viva+Cinco+de+Mayo&utm_campaign=5%2F5%2F2010+%28Cinco+de+Mayo%29&utm_term=View%2Bit%2Bin%2Ba%2Bbrowser_

how does a San Francisco messenger bag company encourage you to buy on cinco de mayo? with the phrase "wear your independence on your back" (same mistake as originally made in this post) followed by images of a white (-looking) guy eating a burrito and carrying a chihuahua in what could just as easily be an Italian flag messenger bag. thoughts?

If it's a holiday like any other, there will be parodies of the name. Galentine's Day, XXX-mas, etc. I don't think that's a big deal, because the root is not to make fun of Spanish, but to make a play on words.

The second one, though. That's a little iffy. Not sure what tacos have to do with defeating the French. Eek.

Hi. The original post is still wrong. It's the battle of Puebla, not Pueblo.

Hi. I'm studying abroad in Yucatán, Mexico right now. Yesterday I didn't have class because it was 5 de Mayo. I've missed class for many many more holidays here than I would in the US. So missing class doesn't necessarily mean that a holiday is important. Anyway, I went to the main plaza of the city where I live, and it was like any other day. Everything was open as usual - the internet cafe in my neighborhood, the coffee shop where I went to study with my friends, the laundry place I always bring my clothes. There was nothing out of the ordinary except for a lack of class on Wednesday. Today I looked at a campus blog from my home college in Connecticut and there were several Cinco de Mayo events - a salsa music concert, other parties. At least in my experience, Cinco de Mayo is a MUCH bigger deal in the US than in Mexico, at least in Yucatán. No wonder it's been used to stereotype Mexicans! Not that that's ok, but it doesn't surprise me.

The original post is STILL WRONG. Good lord, people it's already el seis de mayo. Look up the wiki on cinco de mayo and it fully explains why it is celebrated more in America, and especially California, than in Mexico. Also, there's nothing wrong with people partying for this holiday. In fact, by buying imported beer and tequila, they are helping the Mexican economy. What do we do on July 4th? Drink shitty american beer, eat burgers and hot dogs, and blow things up. There's nothing wrong with how we celebrate cinco de mayo. The costume shop ad is pretty offensive. So is the timbuk2 add someone posted. There's nothing wrong with the swappo, and by far the most offensive thing on this page is STILL the mistake about independence day and the misspelling of puebla. OH, and Victoria trying to rep San Francisco when she doesn't know what the hell she is talking about. Si si puede!

For as little as my comment may be worth, since the mistake is already corrected, I would like to congratulate the author on her courage to leave the post up with her mistake and its correction intact. That takes a real open-mindedness, in a sense, to not be angry or defensive when proven wrong. For whatever it's worth, I am extremely surprised and pleased you have the courage to do that and it only cements my earlier and several months-long dedication to reading this site.

No one can be right all the time -- which is something I feel we often lose track of, in life (at least, I often forget I COULD be wrong! ha), politics, etc. and I often feel as though human discourse is riddled with venom and suspended from civility and openness -- and your courage in admitting that made me want to say something regarding your intellectual honesty.

stating that you are a model of humility isn't exactly... humble...

It's just a common misconception. I'm Mexican and I didn't know that until last May. It was just my ignorance, but now I know the actual story. My dad knew it because he's from Mexico, but me and my mom didn't (Mexicans born and raised in America). Most Americans just don't know about it because we are fed from childhood that whenever it's brought up is that it's "Mexican Independence Day". So, we were misinformed, at least we'll correct ourselves.

I've never celebrated it. My dad didn't because he's not from Puebla and I just didn't because he didn't, but I know the reason now. The rest of Mexico doesn't celebrate it either, btw.

I grew up in Mexico. It is really amazing that otherwise seemingly intelligent people do not think I am Mexican just because I come from Korean descent. I am offended by this post because, though it pretends to deconstruct stereotypes of Mexicans, it simply reinforces them. Tongue-in-cheek, wink-wink, we're smart enough to know this is wrong, sort of behavior. If you really want to make a change, you should investigate the importance of the Korean-Mexican community. Did you know that kimchee was not invented until Korea had trade with Mexico, from where it got all its hot peppers?

Please remember March 6th 1836.......Not May 5th 1862............ Remember the Alamo!!!
Request for proper consideration and Respect;....Do NOT celebrate "Cinco-de Mayo"

I am asking both individuals and corporation / company/ Media, and Public Entities to finally do "The Right Thing" and do Not celebrate, or participate in a fake and manufactured "holiday". Furthermore this so-called Mexican (1862), celebration shows a Great Disrespect to those 200 Americans of 26 years earlier (then Cinco-de-Mayo), that were Murdered by Mexico under General Santa Anna....... Let me explain;....
In 1836 at a Missionary compound, that we all may know as "The Alamo", in a land called the Republic of Texas, 200 Americans stood alone protecting the rights of Texas to become a state in the young America of that time period. Mexico didn't want that and sent over 1500 troops to destroy this compound and squash this (American) dream! Unfortunately they did overrun this compound and killed all,......even those who wished to surrender!!! Mexico then piled all the Americans' bodies into piles and burned them beyond recognition. This Desecration violated ALL principles of warfare and rules of Honor-in-Battle. This performance of violating Human Rights angered Americans all over the existing America, that the cry of......"Remember the Alamo", rang through-out the land and Americans joined together to repel Mexico out of Texas, and years later Texas became the 28th state of these United States.
......Now this so-called "cinco" Holiday ( in 1862), that everyone celebrates is really nothing but a war skirmish that Mexico had with the French, and Yes they did repel the French Troops on May 5th, of 1862, but a few weeks later the French returned and conquered Mexico,....so what is there to celebrate, even for Mexicans?? The fact is that even Mexico doesn't celebrate this so-called day, as a National "holiday", because it means little to Mexicans, so why does America embrace this meaningless day to America, and at the same time, ignore our past Heroes who died at the hand of Mexico? Why are we doing a disservice to our fellow Americans, who died protecting this country, and why are we spending more time with a "Fake' day called "Cinco-de-Mayo", then actually respecting those who Died at the Alamo???. Why would any American want to "Raise-a-Glass" to celebrate with those who desecrated American bodies?? ........WHY do we now??? Is Mexico more important to our History then our own American history???.........Are we ashamed of being American? Doesn't it mean anything to us, that Human bodies, that were of Americans fighting for our Freedoms, were burnt in a dishonorable and disrespectful way? Their Families never got to say their final Farewells. Doesn't that mean anything to Americans anymore?? Can we in Good Faith sit down and celebrate with food and drink, with those who are celebrating a day in Mexico that was just 26 years after this Human desecration of Americans by Mexicans. What have we become??

Please STOP this Dishonor to Americans and our History, and show Respect for those who died creating this country, and not those who showed Disrespect to this country.....stop This FAKE day called Cinco-de-mayo, and................."REMEMBER THE ALAMO". ...........I Thank You
Tom Pastore / Vietnam Veteran / 407-963-6238