Changing the world now

I travel extensively as part of the United Nations, seeing the best and worst in the world, analyzing the data and advising the decision makers that impact people's lives. This blog contains my visions for improving the US and the world

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

When exactly is that Cinco de Mayo holiday this year?


Cinco de Mayo has become synonymous in the United States with a drunken festival involving Corona, Dos Equis, Modelo and lots of limes. Now that Cinco de Mayo has arrived, I find myself thinking about my friend Minerva from Northern Mexico.

When we first met in Baltimore, Minerva was astounded to see so much passion for Cinco de Mayo. After all, Cinco de Mayo is virtually ignored by most people in Mexico.

Minerva soon realized that what was being billed as a great day of Mexican national pride was often little more than a well-contrived marketing plan by major Mexican beer companies. For some Mexican-Americans, this day is one of ethnic pride associated with cultural festivals and music but for most Americans it is little more than a chance to enjoy $2 specials at the local pub.

While Minerva got tired of explaining to people that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day (September 16th) her biggest issue on this day wasn’t the drunks pretending to be honoring her country but rather the people who asked her, “so, when exactly is that Cinco de Mayo holiday this year?” Her answer was always, “Good question. What day are Americans celebrating the Fourth of July this year?”

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