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.