The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: cinco de mayo

  • PSA: Mexican Independence Day does not equal Cinco de Mayo

    PSA: Mexican Independence Day does not equal Cinco de Mayo

    by Victoria Olsen

    Cal Poly Humboldt is an Hispanic Serving institution (HSI), so it is significant for students and faculty to be knowledgeable of these events. Latinx Heritage Month takes place from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, acknowledging the time frame in which many Latin countries declared and gained independence.

    “Hispanic Heritage Month is a moment to recognize and honor the history of struggle of Latinx people in the United States. To recognize their achievements, their successes and their contributions to this nation,” said El Centro Coordinator Fernando Paz. 

    Former President Lyndon B. Johnson signed this Hispanic Heritage Week into effect that same Sept. of 1968 following Latin heritage being acknowledged in the Civil Rights Movement. Years later, former President Ronald Reagan officially changed it to Hispanic Heritage Month in Aug. of 1988.

    Sept. 15 marks the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Sept. 16 celebrates Mexico, and Chile independence day is Sept. 18. 

    Latinx Heritage is a month of reflection, celebrating culture and growth. It is important to acknowledge one of the biggest questions and debates in the Hispanic/Latinx community right now is between the preference for being called “Latinx” or “Hispanic.” 

    “It’s a part of an ongoing debate, and discussion that’s happening within our community, and currently the debate around Latinx is that it is a term that is elitist, though it strives to be more gender inclusive and more embracing of everybody from Latin American descent…,” said El Centro Coordinator, Fernando Paz. 

    Paz also recognized that the term “Latinx” still fails to be completely inclusive and that the term does not translate well to the other spoken Latin languages.

    José Juan Rodríguez Gutierrez is a student here at Cal Poly Humboldt and works in the El Centro office.

    “I think it’s important for a lot of us Latin people that have been in the U.S. throughout our life and maybe have felt that our people have been ignored in the way history is told, but this is a time for us to let them know we’ve been here,” said Gutierrez. “Aquí hemos estado y aquí estaremos.”

    Melissa Torres Esacalante is a student who enjoys spending time in El Centros office. 

    “It’s not very widely celebrated back home in the motherland, but like here, we kinda need to. We need to celebrate our accomplishments with what we’ve done here,” said Esaclante. 

    According to the U.S. The Department of Education, Hispanic Heritage Month this year is going to focus on the theme of “Building Prosperous and Healthy Communities.” Each week during the month will have a new goal or focus. 

    September 15: Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Day 

    Week of September 19th: Jobs and the Economy  

    Week of September 26th: Climate   

    Week of October 3rd: Education and Investing in HSIs   

    Week of October 10th: Mental Health and Wellness  

    October 15: Last Day of Hispanic Heritage Month

    “We have this term called ‘La Cultura Cura,’ it translates to culture heals, and it’s exactly that principle that there are elements within our cultural matrix that help us heal and become better and stronger, ideals, values, beliefs, those kinds of things,” Paz said.

    People should spend this month recognizing the debates going on in Latin America. It is important to acknowledge the history and trauma of colonialism, and what we can do now to repair the damage.

  • Let’s taco bout Cinco de Mayo

    Let’s taco bout Cinco de Mayo

    Don’t portray yourself as Hispanic when you have no right to

    Hear it straight from the mouth of a Hispanic woman: it is frustrating to see people use Cinco de Mayo as an excuse to get drunk and wear sombreros.

    White people who complain about illegal immigrants coming into the country and not doing a single thing should not be celebrating on Cinco de Mayo.

    Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 led by General Ignacio Zaragoza. Cinco de Mayo is frequently mixed up as Mexico’s independence day, which actually celebrated on September 16.

    Caucasian men and women are the worst perpetrators of this cultural appropriation. I don’t agree with people who think Cinco de Mayo is an excuse to drink and be Hispanic for a day. It baffles me that these exact people make fun of Mexicans, and all Hispanics for that matter. There are groups of Caucasians who say that Hispanics who came across the border to have a better life don’t contribute to the nation. Meanwhile, as they are getting drunk, Hispanics are working to support themselves and their families.

    My dad came into this country illegally. He is a gardener who supports three kids. He also pays for my tuition. He is not a stereotype, he is a hardworking man with a family he supports and loves.

    Additionally I want to address all white people: do not act like you belong in this culture and portray yourself as a Hispanic when you have no right to. There is a huge difference between supporting us Hispanics and using our culture as a fun event to be part of a “trend.”

    White people are also practicing cultural appropriation when they dress up like Mexicans. Putting sombreros on and wearing ponchos is not “cool” or “funny,” you are mocking Mexicans and all Hispanics. I believe Cinco De Mayo can be celebrated, just not how everyone wants to view it as “celebrating.”

    You don’t have to put anything on to represent Mexicans and mock them as if they are a funny gag. Caucasian people, please remember Cinco De Mayo is not an excuse for you to get drunk and dress up as a Mexican and this is not Mexico’s Independence Day.