Upcoming Events

History and Cultural Impacts of Cinco de Mayo | April 12 | 3:30 p.m. CT | Zoom

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican victory over the French army during the battle of Puebla in 1862. Over time, this holiday has turned into a commercialized celebration that fails to acknowledge the history, culture, and accomplishments of Mexican people. Rather than honoring this history, Americans use it as an excuse to party and play into harmful stereotypes instead of celebrating respectfully. The Mexican-American community has since reclaimed the holiday to commemorate Mexican resilience during the Chicano movement.  Our four panelists include LSU's very own Alejandro Cortazar, Ph.D., photographer and activist William Camargo, Chicano and Latino Studies experts Lorena Márquez,Ph.D., and Gabriela Spears-Rico, Ph.D. Join us as we discuss different negative stereotypes, the ties to the Chicano movement, and how to support Mexican-American/Undocumented communities this Cinco de Mayo.